How large a factor are glutes in squats? I ask becuase I apparently stepped out of line when god was handing out asses lol. Im wondering if that is one of the limiting factors on my squats.
When I isolate quads, they arent lagging in strength at all. Im assuming my hams and glutes are the primary lagging components.
Why are you asking? Are you having trouble with your squat form? Or do you just lack good development of your glutes?
If you lack development of your glutes, but your squat form is good, you should do some exercises to develop your glutes. If your squat form is a problem, or if you are having trouble increasing the weight of your squats for some reason, find someone to help you with your squat form.
There are some good threads on here describing proper squat form, but here is how I was taught to squat.
First, set the height of the rack so you can stand up with the bar and have 1" to 3" space above the racks. Then grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width, and place the bar low on your traps, so it is resting below the top of your traps, and partly on your shoulders. Stand up with the weight and place your feet. If you are lifting from a regular rack, step back and place your feet. Your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width, toes slightly angled out and comfortable. Squat as though you are sitting down on a toilet, by pushing your but backward and letting your chest descend to the front slightly, but so you don't lean too far forward, keep some tension in your lower back and keep your back arched and your head up. Descend all the way to the bottom so you are ATG. Then push upward and clench your but and legs at the top.
Work on this with light weights until you get your form perfect, then gradually increase the weight and lower the reps until you approach 90% to 100% of your 1 rep max. If you keep good form on your 1 rep max, then you have done everything right and you will have a much heavier squat than if you lose the good form. Clenching at the top will work your glutes, hamstrings and quads. Keeping your back tense during the squat will work your lower back and core. Going heavy will make you strong like a bull. Good luck buddy.