Please STOP Spreading your KNEES on Squats!! Use Neutral Alignment!! Zercher Squat Julian Stanford

Here’s NFL athlete Julian Stanford demonstrating 90 degree Eccentric Isometric Zercher Squats with proper alignment which is very rare due to continual misinformation in the fitness industry that pushes the erroneous knee spread & toe flare.

Although knee & toe flare may feel like a quick fix, the long-term effects on hip function are undesirable to say the least.
In fact many powerlifters & weightlifters (most of whom use excessive toe flare) end up destroying their natural lower body mechanics. Because their feet and hips have spent so much time in excessive external rotation this becomes their go-to movement strategy for any lower body movement including walking, running, & overall gait mechanics.
Over time this can lead to a variety of lower body impairments and pain-related syndromes including chronic hip inflammation. In reality once the lifter learns how to activate their feet and ankles properly, the straight foot position with neutral alignment at hips, knees, & feet will actually produce the greatest strength increases. This also optimizes joint alignment & centration throughout the entire lower body & lumbopelvic hip complex.
The straight foot position is something that should be used on most exercises including squats & deadlifts regardless of individual differences in anthropometrics. Remember, individual differences in anatomy only gives us insight into the lifters go-to compensation patterns not their optimal position. Optimal for humans from planet earth is straight + 90 deg.
If this feels unnatural it’s because your feet & ankles are weak and dysfunctional & therefore need to be trained with appropriate neuromuscular re-education techniques.
Go barefoot or wear Vivobarefoot shoes (code JOEL15) as shown here which optimizes foot biomechanics.
#squat #legday #squats #fitspo #fitness #workout #gym

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[beausharpe]

Have you ever actually looked at how the human body works?