Hey all,

I've posted in the past about my quest to recover from two herniated discs stenosis. I'm happy to say I've successfully comeback from that injury after years of recovery. 6 months ago, I couldn't squat. Now it's back in my program and I'm thinking about how best to approach it to take it to the next level. Lifting has been consistent since August 19.

Profile: 6'4, 220lbs, 23yrs, LONG legs, short torso, approximate BF% 16.5-17.5

Pertinent lifts: Back squat 335x8 (325x11), Leg Press 685x17, Sumo Deadlift 370x7, Stiff-Leg Deadlift (to the floor) 280x10

Training routine: 2 lifts per week F/S, 1 Yoga Mobility day; Lift day 1 Deadlift, OHP, Chins, Rows; Lift day 2 Squat, SLDL, Leg Press, Bench, Arm things. All main lifts done 2 sets RPT with considerable warm up.

Diet Protocol: Ad hoc recomp, cut on rest days, maintenance or surplus on lift days, weight doesn't really move too much, lifts go up every week.

Query: I used the leg press as my primary leg exercise up until the end of December because of a gluteal imbalance, weak hamstrings, and overactive spinal erectors. The squat just didn't feel right. However, around December this issue righted itself and 225 low bar back squat felt like a toothpick and my torso felt like a piston. Fast forward to now. Because of my long legs, leg press still hits my legs best, especially the quads. I really feel like I can push the envelope with the sled like I can't in the squat, but I still value the overall body work and balance mobility that the squat offers. Recently, though, I've felt like I haven't been hitting proper depth. My quads feel barely involved and I just kiss parallel with what feels like a wide stance. I recently tried forcing myself lower, but it grossly aggravates the flexors in my left hip. I squat low bar and in flat shoes.

Have any long-leg lifters experienced struggles progressing to heavier weights in the low bar squat and achieving good depth? I don't have a good-morning problem but I feel like range of motion is lacking. I own olys, but I feel like I have issues tipping forward on the low bar with them. Has anyone worked in high bar oly-shoe/ front oly-shoe squats as a counter to this low-bar issue?

Curious for feedback, questions, other personal experiences, ideas, etc. All help is greatly appreciated.