Long term progression for technique.

Hello,

I recently read the article on bar placement for squats and how it doesn’t matter. I wanted to see what you guys think about it for long term progression.

For context: I squat low bar , with the bar around the middle of my delts and it makes the squat more “hingy” I have made some great progress last few months but my adductors and lower back would get fatigued more than I like , sometimes affect deadlift performance (sumo) . My anthropometry is suited well for the squats , extremely long torso and short limbs.

My friend thinks I should make it a “normal” low bar and move the bar up to the top of the rear delts , ironically was my previous high bar. I feel less fatigue post session in my hips and lower back, but my ability to grind with my posterior chain felt off. I almost always have a squat morning pattern. My strength has also dropped roughly 40-50lbs immediately.

Do you think it is worthwhile to squat with an exaggerated lower bar position long term and making the squat more hingy ? Some complain this is essentially deadlifting your squat ? This is the position where I am strongest at the moment, goal is 1rm strength for big 3. Is it a worthwhile commitment to make the squat more “quad dominant” in the long run?

thank you.

I don’t think that these small technique changes matter most of the time, save for rather immediate improvements in efficiency that show up as either an increase in performance or other objective metric. You had the opposite experience so…I’d probably skip that.

Heavy squats tend to rely on adductor, glute, and quad strength no matter what style is used. I don’t think you get to choose.

What are you squatting and pulling right now anyway?

My squat was at 370 for 2 @ RPE 9-9.5 (one month ago and all time best) I had a prior post and it was uploaded before where there was a discussion on technique in the long term. Yesterday I failed 330.

My all time best sumo deadlift is 440, but it was heavily rounded and I dumped the bar at the top via failed hook grip.