Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#41

Post by noobly » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 9:55 AM UTC

For those in the thread looking for advice, I recommend performing overhead squats. Just use a broom handle with a wide grip. It's almost impossible to squat incorrectly when doing overhead squats and imo this makes it an excellent intro. Additionally, it feels amazing once you get stretched and comfy.

I trained in Olympic weightlifting for a bit (non-competitively) and this is how they started inflexible people and noobs in general, and as someone who's taught many to squat, I've never seen it done as smoothly and have adopted this method of teaching.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#42

Post by Retric » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 9:57 AM UTC

gaius wrote: post #31

pnathan wrote: post #16

After reading the prior discussion & spending some time at the gym doing deadlifty things with a trainer, I experimented with doing the squat. What I found was that while I can do a squat in, e.g., gym shorts, I simply can not do them with my jeans: the jeans constrain my movement substantially. And, the other thing I found, is that a bit of fat on the belly inhibits it as well. I can't speak for everyone, but jeans…

And, the other thing I found, is that a bit of fat on the belly inhibits it as well. Look at the low stance of sumo wrestlers - belly fat doesn't prevent them, it's all in the hip and ankle mobility.

Sumo is not doing a normal squat their feet are spread much farther apart. This allows for all that belly fat, but significantly changes the stance.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#43

Post by Lynolix » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:09 AM UTC

setr wrote: post #34

just to be clear, this is same thing as a slav squat, right? First time I've heard it as Asian

From what I know, the slav squat is also an equivalent slang term. In gym and fitness contexts, it would be an ass-to-grass squat. The most polite way of expressing it would be to call it a deep squat, or a squat that's "past the parallel".

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#44

Post by mszcz » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:30 AM UTC

really-dinosaur wrote: post #36

dragonwriter wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an American male with more than a bit of fat on my belly, that doesn't seem to inhibit squatting at all. Some jeans (or other tight-fitting, inflexible pants) with particular cuts might, though.

I have trouble squatting at the office, but that is because like you say. Jeans are terrible! At home I can squat for about 30 seconds or so before it starts to get uncomfortable. I can do it, but haven't built up the endurance as we never use those muscles! Also, there is no good reason to squat in an office. I'm thinking of bolting a Gameboy to the floor so you have to squat to play Tetris.

That's the reason why for some time now I only buy jeans with stretch. Way more comfy and they don't restrict movements so much - can jump stair steps two, three at a time.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#45

Post by dingo_bat » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:32 AM UTC

I am Indian, and I've never been able to do it. And it has caused me immense pain through the years :(

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#46

Post by wink » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:36 AM UTC

mercer wrote: post #40

I think a big part of this is very much a psychological issue. Because squatting isn't 'common' for many people, it is experienced as more uncomfortable than it really is (even when it's done right - where there's no permanent tension from balance on your toes, for example). Another example would be sitting cross-legged (or whatever that one leg over the other thing is called) as a man. I find that I and many guys I…

Interesting, I've never heard anyone tell anyone else that sitting cross-legged is somehow unmanly. (I'm German). More like "don't sit like that in a professional setting" but that's also not something I remember anyone saying, it's more tribal knowledge.

Yes, it's pretty uncommon seeing people in public do it (sometimes on the floor or on ledges), but there are not many opportunities.

As a relatively big guy, I absolutely envy some of my smaller colleagues (yeah, mostly women) who can sit cross-legged in their office chairs - I'd absolutely do it, but I'm just too big, and just crossing one leg under the other often leads to numbness after a while.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#47

Post by hnarn » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:38 AM UTC

arunitc wrote: post #13

I'm 43 years, Indian and have never had a problem squatting. Was surprised this is such a tough thing to do for some. I work sitting on a chair for 8-10 hours everyday, but ensure I take a squat break every 1 hour or so. To make it a habit, I take every opportunity to squat, when I have my green tea, play with my son, watch TV. It does feel great after squatting for 3-4 minutes. I also workout in the gym and perform…

>if a joint doesn’t go through its full range—if the hips and knees never go past 90 degrees

You don't need to squat to have your knees go past 90 degrees. This would only be an issue for people that are literally bed-ridden, for everyone else our joints move plenty while walking, sitting down and lying in bed at night. I'm sure stretching is good but you're making it sound like not squatting will lead to your joints degenerating.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#48

Post by sdrothrock » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:48 AM UTC

pnathan wrote: post #16

After reading the prior discussion & spending some time at the gym doing deadlifty things with a trainer, I experimented with doing the squat. What I found was that while I can do a squat in, e.g., gym shorts, I simply can not do them with my jeans: the jeans constrain my movement substantially. And, the other thing I found, is that a bit of fat on the belly inhibits it as well. I can't speak for everyone, but jeans…

Fat Asian here: if I hike up my jeans so that the crotch is at my actual crotch, I can squat just fine.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#49

Post by amriksohata » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 10:55 AM UTC

Indian origin here, from a young age my parents would with me sit on the floor even though we had chairs, cross legged. I found a lot of my English mates struggle to cross their legs, even as an adult I can do it but goto classes where I see them struggle. We used to squat to eat as most Ayurvedic principles say this is the best way to both eat and poo, it keeps your colon straight whilst sitting on a seat forces your poo out at an angle and increases wear and tear. Anyhow, the reason why everyone cant do the Asian squat IMO is arrogance/ego more than anything, I think a lot of Western people stick their nose up at it thinking its something poor people do. When infact its how your body was designed, but years of not doing it deactivates your knees and makes your legs less supple, which in turn causes knee and back problems.

Re: Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'?

#50

Post by scythe » Sat, Mar 17, 2018, 11:01 AM UTC

yodsanklai wrote: post #37

kzrdude wrote: post #32

It seems rather obvious that if squatting is required for restroom visits, that's the reason everyone has them practiced and has no problem with it.

> if squatting is required for restroom visits I believe squatting toilets aren't so common anymore in developed asian countries.

"Developed" is a multifaceted concept. I'm currently in one of the larger cities in China, and everyone here has cellphones and wifi; there is an extensive subway; many people own cars or e-bikes; there are many shopping malls, restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores etc -- but the vast majority of bathrooms feature squatting toilets. There are some cracks in the facade -- sewage flowing openly down one alley into a drain, unfinished vacant buildings here and there, dubiously sanitary handling of raw meat, placebo recycling, the infamous haze, and the grotesquely popular practice of hocking loogies onto the sidewalk, to name a few -- but China manages to feel quite developed and almost comfortable.