Head up or down in a squat?
Hi, I was the National Drug Free powerlifting Champion awile back. So, i have some expierence with the squat. i agree with all who have said keep head in neutral position with a gaze ahead while going down. Looking down can cause the stability to be thrown off and lead to falling face down. i know that for a fact!!!
Hi Sarah,
I am with all the others. I cue to look ahead so that the head stays neutral but also stress that the core be engaged.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hi Sarah,
I also agree with the others. I definitely don’t teach them to look downwards when doing squats, because it increases the danger of unwanted injury or loss of concentration at the very least.
Best,
Harris
www.sophofit.com
Hi Sarah. I would also like to add that if a client is performing the squat you mention with a barbell, by looking down, in my opinion, I feel they run the risk of having the barbell rolling up onto their cervical spine (definitely not good). Whereas by looking forward/straight ahead, in my opinion this reduces that risk by keeping the bar and weight on their upper back musculature.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com