Movement Fix Podcast
Episode# 115
Squatting and Lower Body Training
Guest: Mike Boyle
Topics We Discuss:
- How Mike programs lower body training
- Why and how they're incorporating timed sprints
- Why they don't train heavy squats
- Horizontal force production training
In this Episode
It's always a pleasure and learning experience speaking with Mike Boyle.
I've been thinking a lot about squatting as an exercise, especially after my discussions with Dr. Dave Marcu, and how/why to use it and why it may also not be the best exercise selection.
Mike has been open about why they don't squat at his training facility and I reached out to him to see if he would come back on the podcast so we could discuss this in more depth, especially in light of the podcast with Dr. Marcu on hip joint anatomy and squatting.
We have squatting as an exercise and squatting as a movement.
When people squat as a movement, like the typical example of people in Asia relaxing in a squat, they aren't using 'form'. They're just letting the hips, knees, ankles, and spine flex and going down into a relaxed position.
This is completely different from squatting as an exercise where we don't want a lot of spinal motion if we are adding a lot of load.
My ongoing thoughts have been about what consequences may there be to squatting heavy without controlling and preventing the very end range of hip joint flexion. Could that be causing hip joint impingement and bony changes over time? I am not convinced one way or another on this yet, but I am personally (partly because of my hip joint anatomy) squatting heavy in a range where I don't feel like I am getting to the deepest depths of hip joint flexion.
Mike and I discuss this in depth in the podcast as well as his take on squatting as an exercise, lower body training, and how they structure their lower body training sessions.
I hope you guys enjoy this episode!
About Mike Boyle

Background:
- Owner of Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning
- Head of StrengthCoach.com (This is a great place to join and learn from Mike)
- Founder of Certified Functional Strength Coach
- Former Strength & Conditioning Consultant for the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox
- Strength & Conditioning Coach with the US Gold Medal Olympic Teams in Women's Soccer and Women's Hockey
Where to Follow Mike
- Instagram @michael_boyle1959
- Twitter @bodybyboyle
Previous Episodes of Movement Fix Podcast with Mike:
- Episode 69 - The Backstory of Mike Boyle
- Episode 11 - Split squats vs back squats, hang vs power cleans
Movement Fix Monday Videos with Mike
Other Podcast EpisodesÂ
156 - Jason Feairheller, BS, CSCS - Plyometric and Speed Training Fundamentals
Movement Fix PodcastEpisode #156Plyometric and Speed Training FundamentalsGuest: Jason Feairheller, BS, CSCSPlaces to follow and get in touch with Jason: MultiDirectionalPower.com Instagram @jasonfeairheller You can learn more from Jason in his online course,...
155 - Pat McNamara, PT - What you didn’t know you needed to know about ultra running
Movement Fix PodcastEpisode #155What you didn’t know you needed to know about ultra runningGuest: Pat McNamara, PhysiotherapistPlaces to follow and get in touch with Pat: therunningroom.net Instagram @patmacyep and @therunningroom Learn more from Michael in his online...
154 - Sean O'Mara, MD, JD - Visceral Fat
Movement Fix PodcastEpisode #154Visceral FatGuest: Sean O'Mara, MD, JDPlaces to follow Sean: https://www.drseanomara.com Instagram @drseanomara Learn more from Michael in his online workshop for fitness and rehab professionals. Save 25% with coupon code barbell25....
153 – Richard Ulm, DC, MS, CSCS – Trunk Stability, Strength Training, and other things
Movement Fix PodcastEpisode #153Trunk stability, strength training, and other thingsGuest: Richard Ulm, DC, MS, CSCSPlaces to follow Richard: Athlete-enhancement.com Instagram @athleteenhancement Learn more from Michael in his online workshop for fitness and rehab...
[…] The Movement Fix with Mike Boyle […]