Sissy Squats?
First off. I have made the mistake of using this name for this movement.
Occasionally I will get people asking me why certain movements are named the way they are. This is one of those movements.
I have heard two reasons for this naming.
The first is that it was named after Greek legend, King Sisyphus. He was punished for cheating death twice by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll down every time it neared the top, repeating this action for eternity.
The second is from bodybuilder Monte Wolford. While warming up for a competition he was performing these squats. A competitor said “what is that Sissy exercise you are doing”. He challenged the competitor to do 3 sets of 10. After completing them the competitor fell off the stage due to muscle fatigue.
Now, who knows which reason came first. But here’s the thing: the word “sissy” is not our word to use.
From @safegymtraining
The words “sissy” or “fairy” were often used in reference to a feminine man, in appearance or mannerisms. This term is now being reclaimed by Drag Queens who emphasize the feminine aspects of their performance, an example is “sissy that walk”.
So let’s stop using the word in the fitness space. Or as a derogatory term for that matter.
Let’s call it what it is: A knees over toes squat. Because that's what you do.
By letting knees go over toes in this fashion while assisted or assisted (harder), we can train our toe strength, our knees tolerance to loading and our quads.
