How do you determine squat width and angle?

I know SS and Rippetoe say start with (the center of?) heels roughly under (center of? ) shoulder. 30 degree angle which is more than slight, ie usually underpointed if you are a novice like me. However is there something else to fine tune it?

I found this video which makes sense to me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaX5sc30GKo You are in a similar position as the squat, and you can see if you feel any pain on your hip socket etc.

I am basically shouulder width right now. With wider stances I feel stronger at the bottom of my squat in my hams and hip, however coming out of the hole I have little engagement in my quads, so on closer gstance i feel more rebound

Also, between parallel and ATG, do people’s stances’ typically change?

squat width and angle are very individualistic. I feel as though you may have left out a question in the OP. Are you having pain while squatting is that the issue?

For example my wife squats a little less than should width apart where as I squat a little further than shoulder width. If it works for you go for it.

Do you have a squat form that allows you to continue to resistance train without pain? If so I wouldn’t change anything.

If you are having pain I would suggest reassessing your RPE and adjusting from there.

No no pain, I just wonder I have two comfortable squat positions one that is closer in than the other. One that puts more strain on the knees than the other. One that sort of ‘disconnects’ me/creater a longer lever at the bottom of my squat to my knees, but allows for more hips and glutes. I just wonder which will typically scale more into higher weights. The latter required more mental focus on each rep to make sure I rebound out of the hole.

I like to pick and commit.

Rip recommends heels shoulder width apart with a 30 degree angle per foot as a starting point and then adjust from there as needed on an individual basis. I think the idea here is to be strongest over the longest ROM and incorporating a little more quads than if they were farther apart. In a competition setting though some people might benefit from a slightly wider stance although you should avoid going too wide if you’re not lifting equipped.

Basically I think it’s kind of universal:

  • Narrower has a stronger rebound but also longer ROM and longer lever on the knees (=more involvement of the quads) and more horizontal back angle.
  • Wider has a weaker rebound, feels slower but due to the shorter ROM might often end up being stronger nonetheless.

However, which is better will ultimately depend on the individual anthropometry and require some adjustments and close observations over months or even years of training.

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Great way of thinking about it. So much great advice on this forum. If it matters my top half of the body is slightly longer than my bottom half

Tibia 18 inches, femur 19 inches, torso 20 inches