Help with squats?

**I Are Baboon** · 03-19-2001, 04:56 AM

I need some advice on my squats. I know my form sucks. Here's my problem:

When doing barbell squats, I know I am supposed to keep my shins perpendicular to the floor, and your knees shouldn't extend past your feet. However, I have a real hard time getting it right. I know my knees are extending too far out, and I end up putting tremendous pressure on my ankles from bending them. When I try to keep good form, I can't keep my balance. I see some guys at the gym with perfect form. I've tried to copy them, but with no success. Any advice you can offer would be great. I am extremely frustrated!

crowman · 03-19-2001, 05:02 AM

hmmm, it takes a while to get the form right. Maybe try putting a 10lb weight under you heals, see if that helps. I had trouble with my balance during squats at first too (mostly because I'm 6'5"), but i just went light and kept doing them and eventually they felt alright.

------------------
-Crowman
MASS ABOVE ALL

[This message has been edited by crowman (edited 03-19-2001).]

Large And In Charge · 03-19-2001, 01:02 PM

I Are Baboon

Everybody is a little different so what feels right for one person might not feel right for another! Experiment on your stance to see what feels right for you. Practice makes perfect and soon it will just fall right into place. Practice with just the weight of the bar or even free style to get a good feel of the squat.

This is an excellent web site that gives you written instruction and a animated demonstration of the squat. Just click on squat in the leg section:
http://www.gymamerica.com/gti/exerci...63,1_,00.html?

Hang in there and never give up bro.

------------------
If you build it they will come

Scotty the Body · 03-20-2001, 09:02 AM

I know some will disagree with me but I'd use the smith machine for squats till you get use to them.
Or just use a lighter weight till you get your form down.

It takes a little while to get use to.

------------------
Just another day in the gutter

**I Are Baboon** · 03-22-2001, 04:02 AM

Guys- I did squats today for the first time since your advice. They were the best squats I've done yet! I practiced with no weight, then just the 45 lb bar, then I was able to load the weight on. Awesome workout, and it felt great!! I'm afraid that my quads and glutes are going to be killing me for a couple of days

Nothing like a good, solid workout to start the day off! Thanks for your help.

[This message has been edited by I Are Baboon (edited 03-22-2001).]

Large And In Charge · 03-22-2001, 04:13 AM

Anytime

------------------
If you build it they will come

**MtnBikerChk** · 03-22-2001, 11:19 AM

I had never been able to do squats before - I'm 5'2" and the bar was uncomfortable.

Now, cuz I'm big and beefy, I can do it!!

MAN MY QUADS HURT! I'm walking funny.

**Prince** · 03-25-2001, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scotty the Body:
I know some will disagree with me but I'd use the smith machine for squats til you get use to them.

No, no, no! Sorry Scotty, but the smith machine is not a good way to learn squats. It restricts your movement.

Use free weight, if all you can do at first is the bar, use that until you get the form down.

------------------
train hard!

03-26-2001, 06:08 PM

I would use the smith machine to teach people.
The smith machine is not bad.

------------------
train smart not hard

EarWax · 03-27-2001, 02:38 AM

I agree with mac, I like the smith to learn squats.

------------------
Lift well! But don't forget to put it down afterwards.

crowman · 03-27-2001, 05:43 AM

I agree with Prince on this one. The smith machine movement is not like a real squat. Just use the bar until you get the form down.

------------------
-Crowman
MASS ABOVE ALL

03-19-2001, 04:56 AM	#1
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Help with squats? BODYBUILDING SUPPLEMENTS High Quality Supplements For Bodybuilders and Athletes. www.ironmaglabs.com I need some advice on my squats. I know my form sucks. Here's my problem: When doing barbell squats, I know I am supposed to keep my shins perpendicular to the floor, and your knees shouldn't extend past your feet. However, I have a real hard time getting it right. I know my knees are extending too far out, and I end up putting tremendous pressure on my ankles from bending them. When I try to keep good form, I can't keep my balance. I see some guys at the gym with perfect form. I've tried to copy them, but with no success. Any advice you can offer would be great. I am extremely frustrated!

03-26-2001, 06:08 PM	#9
mac sloan Guest Posts: n/a	I would use the smith machine to teach people. The smith machine is not bad. ------------------ train smart not hard
mac sloan Guest Posts: n/a

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03-19-2001, 05:02 AM	#2
crowman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: PA Posts: 211	hmmm, it takes a while to get the form right. Maybe try putting a 10lb weight under you heals, see if that helps. I had trouble with my balance during squats at first too (mostly because I'm 6'5"), but i just went light and kept doing them and eventually they felt alright. ------------------ -Crowman MASS ABOVE ALL [This message has been edited by crowman (edited 03-19-2001).]

03-19-2001, 01:02 PM	#3
Large And In Charge Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 355	I Are Baboon Everybody is a little different so what feels right for one person might not feel right for another! Experiment on your stance to see what feels right for you. Practice makes perfect and soon it will just fall right into place. Practice with just the weight of the bar or even free style to get a good feel of the squat. This is an excellent web site that gives you written instruction and a animated demonstration of the squat. Just click on squat in the leg section: http://www.gymamerica.com/gti/exerci...63,1_,00.html? Hang in there and never give up bro. ------------------ If you build it they will come

03-20-2001, 09:02 AM	#4
Scotty the Body I'm Dead Sexxxxy!! Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Canada Posts: 4,970	I know some will disagree with me but I'd use the smith machine for squats till you get use to them. Or just use a lighter weight till you get your form down. It takes a little while to get use to. ------------------ Just another day in the gutter

03-22-2001, 04:02 AM	#5
I Are Baboon pedal pedal pedal Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Beerville Posts: 10,699 Photos: 10	Guys- I did squats today for the first time since your advice. They were the best squats I've done yet! I practiced with no weight, then just the 45 lb bar, then I was able to load the weight on. Awesome workout, and it felt great!! I'm afraid that my quads and glutes are going to be killing me for a couple of days Nothing like a good, solid workout to start the day off! Thanks for your help. [This message has been edited by I Are Baboon (edited 03-22-2001).]

03-22-2001, 04:13 AM	#6
Large And In Charge Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 355	Anytime ------------------ If you build it they will come

03-22-2001, 11:19 AM	#7
MtnBikerChk Stealth Moderator Moderator Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Dead last Posts: 1,429	I had never been able to do squats before - I'm 5'2" and the bar was uncomfortable. Now, cuz I'm big and beefy, I can do it!! MAN MY QUADS HURT! I'm walking funny.

03-27-2001, 02:38 AM	#10
EarWax Top Banana Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: ...in a galaxy, far, far, away Posts: 872	I agree with mac, I like the smith to learn squats. ------------------ Lift well! But don't forget to put it down afterwards.

03-27-2001, 05:43 AM	#11
crowman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: PA Posts: 211	I agree with Prince on this one. The smith machine movement is not like a real squat. Just use the bar until you get the form down. ------------------ -Crowman MASS ABOVE ALL