Why are olympic lifters so bow-legged?

[Dastardly]

I was wondering why so many olympic lifters seem to be bow-legged?

Does it cause them any long-term problems (bad for knees possibly) ?

Or is it all just an illusion?

[Raskolnikov]

I've never seen a bow-legged o-lifter. Have any examples handy?

[Platus]

I think it is the result of getting your hips low with your feet relatively close together, while having your knees out in a relatively wide position so as not to interfere with the path of the bar. If your feet are relatively close together, you will stand higher at full extension, making it easier to get under the bar, as your feet move out into a wider stance as you get in position to receive the bar.

That's just my novice speculation though.

[nisora33]

I've honestly never noticed a disproportionate number of bow-legged folks among O-lifters, and I've watched a lot of O-lift footage.

-S.

[Platus]

Maybe I misunderstood... I took it to mean the sort of bow-legged position that sometimes occurs during a lift, as as at 1:27 in the video below. If you meant actually bow-legged during normal, everyday activities, then I don't know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QhlZWfTfyc

[Webbie]

I grew up with a kid who was bo-legged. He was fast.

[Patrick]

I grew up with a kid who was bo-legged. He was fast.

Bo-Jackson-legged? Cause that dude was a beast.

But to the OP, when I hit REALLY heavy squats, my knees still drift in despite a few years of "knees out" echoing in my head -- hence the need for the cue. I imagine that the footage you're thinking of was shot during competition, when many of the folks are lifting very heavy if not hitting personal records, and this effect might have something to do with it.

EDIT - To clarify, I mean that sometimes I get into odd positions when I'm hitting my biggest lift. If guys' knees get bowed (or knocked) at some point, it might be because of that.

[elVarouza]

I agree with Patrick. If the OP is asking why do oly lifter's knees always seem to cave inwards when they're rising out of the bottom of a clean it's because it's a max lift. Form is never perfect on a max lift.

[Krump]

I definitely understand what the OP means because I have wondered the same thing. The OP is not wondering why O lifters' knees cave. It just looks like a lot of O lifters have a bit of bow-leggedness. I don't know why they often have this appearance but I think it is mostly an illusion. For one, when they set up they usually rock on the outside of their shoes. (whoever posted the vid you can see it right at the time you linked). Many other O lifters do this rocking on the outside of the shoes too. I don't know what purpose this serves but it makes it look like they are bow-legged. However, I think the bow-legged appearance is mostly an illusion from having huge-fucking-protruding quads that stick out on the sides of their legs, giving the appearance of an inward bend when the quads taper down to the knees.

[Dastardly]

Krump gets what I mean.

It seems extremeley common to start with a narrow stance but with knees pushed far out creating a V-shape with shins.

But also many lifters seem to have legs which are stuck in this position even when walking. I dont know if this is through years of training or if they had legs like that before they started.

Or like has been suggested it could be some weird illusion due to the immense leg muscle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EUcV1hX3S4

[Webbie]

Bo-Jackson-legged? Cause that dude was a beast.

Bo Knows Squats! Where is Bo lately?

I think it is just the curve created by their quads that you are seeing.

[matclone]

However, I think the bow-legged appearance is mostly an illusion from having huge-fucking-protruding quads that stick out on the sides of their legs, giving the appearance of an inward bend when the quads taper down to the knees.

I'd say that's it.

[Dastardly]

I looked into this myself and answered my own question.

This quandary was sparked by watching an olympic lifter who ive seen in my gym a few times. He has heels very close together and knees pushed far far to the sides.

I recently noticed that on Dan John's "big 21" olympic lifting programme which is on the SS wikia, that it states:


2. Start each rep from the floor with heels together, feet pointing out to 45 degrees. (You can choose NOT to do this...editor)

This made me think that this is a popular technique used, which after a bit of research I found out was true. It is called the frog-leg pull.


Frog Leg Style Pull
Several Japanese lifters in the 1960's through the 1970's set world record snatch records. The Japanese lifters during this time used a foot positioning known as the "Frog Leg." What is unique about the Frog Leg style is that the knees are pointed at an angle of about 60-75 degrees with the heels together. With this style of pull the hips were closer to the bar and the torso is in more of an upright position. When the lifter got into this position it made them look like a frog, hence the name "Frog Leg" style.

When starting the pull many lifters that use the frog leg style will drop their hips initially and will start their pull while rebounding from the initial hip drop. The weight should be mainly felt in the middle of the foot. It is suggested that the back angle should remain the same throughout the pull and the hips will travel upward. When the bar is past the knees the hips are thrust forward. Proponents of this style suggest the final explosion phase should be initiated at or above the middle of the thighs. Since the hips move more in an upward path, this style will end with a straighter pull. There is also a less chance of the bar swinging (horizontal and vertical movement) with this style of pull.
Is the Frog Leg style right for you? No one can decide this for you; however I would suggest first learning the traditional pull style. If you have been using the traditional pull for roughly 6 months to a year and feel it is not the best pulling style for you, then you can look into the Frog Leg Style.

Here is an extreme example:

http://www.owresource.com/training/images/frog.jpg

most modern lifters do it more moderately it seems:

http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/sportivny/images/shoes/Thongsuk_form_side_at_start_ezg_1.jpg

Lu Xiaojun looks bow legged even when walking.

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/gallery/091124/GAL-09Nov24-3173/media/PHO-09Nov24-189611.jpg

Im thinking the years of hard training using this technique enforces the position to such a degree that bone & muscle adapt to the new shape.

Plus in addition, the massive muscle illusion adds to the effect.