Tom Platz Criticizes Modern Squatting Techniques and Shares His Quad-Focused Method for Knee Health

Renowned bodybuilder Tom Platz criticizes current squatting techniques, claiming they have been "bastardized," and shares his method for maintaining healthy, durable knees through a specialized quad-focused squat approach. In a July 28, 2025, Instagram post, Platz emphasized that he has never experienced knee issues, attributing his success to his precise, pure form. "I've never encountered knee problems in my life. My technique is about purity—modern squatting has deviated from this," he explained. Known as "The Quadfather," Platz leveraged his exceptional lower body development during his competitive years, competing alongside legends like seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger. Despite retiring, he continues to showcase impressive leg muscle mass and definition at age 70. Platz defends his preferred quad-dominant squatting style, which involves a back angle close to 90 degrees—a contrast to today's common practice of squatting with the back at about 45 degrees. He argues that many current practitioners over-rely on their glutes and lower back, neglecting the quads. "Proper technique is essentially a hip thrust movement. When squatting, the focus should be on engaging t...