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Barbell back-squats and hip-flexor tightness

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Ny Wc

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Can someone tell me more about this concept? My gut tells me that it's a legit concern but you don't read about it very often. Most people seem very enthusiastic about having their athletes (or anyone) back-squat. If it affects posture then it would be everyone's concern?

If it is a concern then how much squatting would it take to cause the tightness? Can you use other variations as your core lift and then back-squat one time a week for higher reps and hypertrophy?
 
I'm sure @Steve Freides and other mobility specialists will be able to answer this better than me. However, this article by Pavel is really good: the "best" squat - StrongFirst

What I like about it is it doesn't say any squat is "bad" or "good" there's a time and a place for every squat, depending on your goals. Anyway, the article is basically answers all your questions - give it a read!
 
RobbieF said:
I'm sure @Steve Freides and other mobility specialists will be able to answer this better than me. However, this article by Pavel is really good: the "best" squat - StrongFirst

What I like about it is it doesn't say any squat is "bad" or "good" there's a time and a place for every squat, depending on your goals. Anyway, the article is basically answers all your questions - give it a read!
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I asked because of that article. It says that you should do a couple of bulking sessions a year but I'd like to bulk more often than that. However, I'd also like to avoid tight hip-flexors for various reasons. That's why I would like to know more about the subject.

Personally, I'd like to get back into martial arts in the near future and I don't want tight hip flexors. However, I do want all the great things that a back-squat provides.

Also, I'm an aspiring personal trainer and I would like to know when to avoid using the back squat with a client.
 
I see your point. personally, I would use kettlebell and barbell front squatting if I were you along with some single leg work: Bulgarian split squats, reverse lunges and single leg deadlifts. You would put on plenty of size on your legs as well as lengthening your hip flexors (namely rectus femoris) through the aforementioned exercises. I would keep on top of your stretching if you're really worried about hip flexor tightness: half kneeling and tall kneeling variations and the 90-90 stretch described in S&S are your friends.
 
@Ny Wc, you can't have it all. Every exercise has its pluses and minuses.

Ny Wc said:
How much squatting would it take to cause the tightness?
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That's impossible to say because there is no such thing as "the tightness" I'm afraid. Back squatting a little instead of a lot gets you a little of both the benefits and detriments instead of a lot - you get the idea.

If you want to back squat, back squat and stretch your hip flexors, or back squat and swing a kettlebell or deadlift with a strong focus on the lockout position.

Or front squat - front squat is a fine thing, can be loaded heavily, albeit not as heavily as the back squat. The article you cite talks very positively about the front squat, mentioning that it may be the squat of choice for someone who isn't a powerlifter.

-S-
 
I like that first one, and the tip on the page, "Use the duck walk as a hip opener do not bounce through it." I never understood the purpose of duck walk, but that makes sense.
 
Spider-Man lunge, couch stretch, and Russian baby makers are staples in my stretching program for deep squatting. The Brettzel is also a great hip flexor stretch.

I squat heavy and often. I did not know there was link between squatting and tight hip flexors.
 
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