When lifting weights it is important to consider your individual morphological type.
Especially when performing deadlifts and squats! ????♀️
We consider two body types in this matter:
- short limbed
- long limbed
A short limbed person is someone with a proportionately longer torso and shorter limbs, whereas a long-limbed person has a shorter torso and longer extremities.
(⚠️ Be careful: these two body types have nothing to do with waistline, muscular development or body fat, as a person can be short and long limbed or tall, slim and short limbed!)
Short limbed people will be more adept at performing a squat, as the shortness of the femur (bone in the thigh) results in a little tilt when squatting, putting less stress on lower back and hamstring muscles.
On the other hand:
Long limbed people will have more difficulty performing a proper squat. The length of their femur will cause the torso to lean forward dramatically, placing a dangerous amount of stress on the hamstring muscles, the adductor magnus and the gracilis.
However, it’s not all bad news! ?
Long limbed people can still learn to perform a very good squat…
… but they will need to concentrate a great deal on their positioning and maintaining a straight back.
Bazilio Ochen, WeGym’s PT