Thread: I know this sounds stupid but,...

Originally Posted by Incognegro

I have never free-weight squatted, always used the smith, as my current Y doesnt have a squat rack. Hence, anybody have a video (besides exrx) of someone using a squat rack? (Starting, finishing position etc.) The new Y I am going to be using for a few weeks has a squat rack, and would like some advice in using it for the first time, esp since I will have to stabilize alot more than w/ the smith machine.


I feel stupid.

TIA


J

what's wrong with the exrx video?

you'll have to lighten the weight being that your stabilizer muscles have been neglected.

http://www.bsu.edu/webapps2/strengthlab/home.htm

whoops, i thought that was gonna post the video clip. click on exercises/upper leg/squat-back.

no need to feel stupid...just don't ever get on the smith machine again . waste of space IMO.

I think I understand it, but just wanted to ask before attempting some new lol. I am almost apprehensive about it. I am a form freak so I want to know how it might feel in relation to the smith, esp when standing after getting my traps under teh bar for teh first rep. I guess there is no other way to find out except to do do it.

No excuses, only solutions.


J

The current Y I attend, wolf you might know where it is...Palmetto/toledo in boca by Town Center Mall...is under major renovation, and the current free weight section is litterally a closet. There is no room to do full deads w/ a barbell b/c of all the benches, etc. in the way (I do deads w/ an ez bar lol.) and there is no squat rack, only a smith machine, so I have no way to load weight for squats except for the smith.

The Y in Boynton is much newer and has much more space and has a squat rack. I am going there for a week or two for this, and b/c the boca y is closed somtimes on a workout day due to construction.

J

i'd say start out light enough whereas you know you won't have any problems whatsoever. even just the bar to get the movement down and go from there. you'll get it quickly.

Originally Posted by Incognegro

The current Y I attend, wolf you might know where it is...Palmetto/toledo in boca by Town Center Mall...is under major renovation, and the current free weight section is litterally a closet. There is no room to do full deads w/ a barbell b/c of all the benches, etc. in the way (I do deads w/ an ez bar lol.) and there is no squat rack, only a smith machine, so I have no way to load weight for squats except for the smith.

The Y in Boynton is much newer and has much more space and has a squat rack. I am going there for a week or two for this, and b/c the boca y is closed somtimes on a workout day due to construction.

J

damn....that S U C K S ! i know the area but don't frequent Boca much. i bet the machine area is clear right?! whatever....

Yea whatever, that's what I say lol. Just going to have to suck it up and get it done.

Thanks for the help, going to use the bar first like you said.

Note: Just looked at your gallery, not bad!

J

J, I never did them before a couple of weeks ago. I just started light and had an attendant watch my form. He gave me some pointers and I was on my way. A little intimidating at first, but it's not so bad. You will feel it the next day for sure.

Originally Posted by boilermaker

J, I never did them before a couple of weeks ago. I just started light and had an attendant watch my form. He gave me some pointers and I was on my way. A little intimidating at first, but it's not so bad. You will feel it the next day for sure.

Make sure, however, that if someone watches your form, that someone indeed knows the proper form. I can't tell you how many times people tell me I'm doing things wrong (just from talking to them). All I do is act like I'm interested, check a couple trusty online sources that I'm right, and completely disregard it after that. In other words, if you know what that person is saying is wrong, don't do it. It's your body and you don't need to get injured because that person doesn't know the proper way to do things. Having said that, I agree: Simply use very light weights and slowly add them on. Just go slowly because you don't want your stabilizer muscles to become overly strained. You'll be moving hundreds of pounds in no time.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Make sure, however, that if someone watches your form, that someone indeed knows the proper form. I can't tell you how many times people tell me I'm doing things wrong (just from talking to them). All I do is act like I'm interested, check a couple trusty online sources that I'm right, and completely disregard it after that. In other words, if you know what that person is saying is wrong, don't do it. It's your body and you don't need to get injured because that person doesn't know the proper way to do things. Having said that, I agree: Simply use very light weights and slowly add them on. Just go slowly because you don't want your stabilizer muscles to become overly strained. You'll be moving hundreds of pounds in no time.

from my experience, the general population as a whole uses poor form on full squats....if they squat at all. i've never experienced a debate in the gym but would gladly invite the challenge.

honestly, the videos will give you better instruction than anything you're gonna get from the Y....don't even ask. read and re-read. focus on keeping your head up, keep your posterior chain straight and ass to ankles my friend....you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

from my experience, the general population as a whole uses poor form on full squats....if they squat at all. i've never experienced a debate in the gym but would gladly invite the challenge.

honestly, the videos will give you better instruction than anything you're gonna get from the Y....don't even ask. read and re-read. focus on keeping your head up, keep your posterior chain straight and ass to ankles my friend....you'll be fine.

Listen to you!

(toughguy eh?)

Originally Posted by The Monkey Man

Listen to you!

(toughguy eh?)

as in debate ....

wanna fight? LOL...

I love debating, especially over exercising. Unfortunately, most people that know me also know that I am an extremely annoying person to debate, so the chance is rarely presented.

I agree though - pretty much no one knows the proper way to lift. I even doubt at most times whether football players at my school know proper form, or even the football coach. That's why I've always done exactly what she said: I read the tips over and over, watch the videos over and over, and practice while watching the video over and over. Then, if I feel ready, I'll try it with the bar and slowly increase the weight.

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

as in debate ....

wanna fight? LOL...

No, just all the hardcore ATG squat talk -


But I might consider a good wrestle -

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

honestly, the videos will give you better instruction than anything you're gonna get from the Y....don't even ask. read and re-read. focus on keeping your head up, keep your posterior chain straight and ass to ankles my friend....you'll be fine.

I'd disagree with the "don't even ask part of this". I think you can learn alot from people at the gym. Particularly ones that know what they are doing and are good teachers. It's my opinion that if you think that you are better than everyone else at your gym because you watched an internet video on something that you've never done before, well, you are missing out. If it were that simple, there would be no need for trainers. Your computer screen can't watch you and let you know if you are doing something wrong that you can't see yourself. I think that one should take advantage of all the resources available to them.

Originally Posted by boilermaker

I'd disagree with the "don't even ask part of this". I think you can learn alot from people at the gym. Particularly ones that know what they are doing and are good teachers. It's my opinion that if you think that you are better than everyone else at your gym because you watched an internet video on something that you've never done before, well, you are missing out. If it were that simple, there would be no need for trainers. Your computer screen can't watch you and let you know if you are doing something wrong that you can't see yourself. I think that one should take advantage of all the resources available to them.

have you ever been to a 'Y'???

i never made any reference to being 'better than anyone else at my gym'. and most trainers suck BTW. doesn't take much to enroll in a blanket course and learn the basics. not to mention most programs still subscribe to the thought that should the knee cross the plane of the foot you're signing your life away. and what certificate program is it that enforces below parallel squatting? just checking...

Originally Posted by The Monkey Man

No, just all the hardcore ATG squat talk -


But I might consider a good wrestle -

that only happens on Tuesdays . i need to see what i'm up against before we throw down...

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

have you ever been to a 'Y'?

Yes...

Great place to dine -

Originally Posted by The Monkey Man

Yes...

Great place to dine -

Per. Vert.

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

have you ever been to a 'Y'???

i never made any reference to being 'better than anyone else at my gym'. and most trainers suck BTW. doesn't take much to enroll in a blanket course and learn the basics. not to mention most programs still subscribe to the thought that should the knee cross the plane of the foot you're signing your life away. and what certificate program is it that enforces below parallel squatting? just checking...

I have been to the "y". In fact I grew up down the street from one. They way you ask this does in fact imply that there are no weightlifters with any good form that could help a beginner out at a "y". I didn't ever imply that "all" trainers are good, nor that previous notions regarding lifting form have not changed. All I was saying is that if there is someone to learn properly from, then pursue it. You can watch Tiger Wood's golf swing all day long on your computer. You might think you are doing the same thing in your own, but chances are you aren't. And you can't see it for yourself.

Originally Posted by boilermaker

They way you ask this does in fact imply that there are no weightlifters with any good form that could help a beginner out at a "y".

if i wanted to say that, i simply would have come out with it.

since you have been to one, you are aware it's a little on the 'softer side' per se...no?

Originally Posted by The13ig13adWolf

if i wanted to say that, i simply would have come out with it.

since you have been to one, you are aware it's a little on the 'softer side' per se...no?

Honestly, I've never been to one to lift. I used to go there to play ball, and the games there were not on the "softer side" of things. That was 18 years ago. In fact I've only been training with weights for a month or so. So, I can't really comment on whether they are softer or not. It is evident that you are making a blanket statement about folks at the Y, which returns us to my initial point of discussion: If there is someone there that can help you train properly, I suggest taking advantage of the opportunity. I think that watching technique through video is great. I also think limiting yourself to that form of learning is foolish. I also think this is getting tired and redundant, so I'll agree to disagree. BTW you look great

my blanket statement is limited to: sadly, there are more folks that use poor form than correct form. you can't ask someone to watch your form if they don't know what the hell they're doing. more often than not you'll be corrected for going below parallel on a squat rather than given a high five for doing it the right way....which most people don't, be it a weightlifter or otherwise.

i've gotten more out of videos and research than i ever have from an individual i trained with or met in a gym...so i'll stick with those and my coach. to each his/her own.

the pissing match was my pleasure. thanks for the compliment .

the pissing match was my pleasure. thanks for the compliment .

Broke up my work day!