Thread: Getting Lateral on Squats

could be a flexability issue. Could just be a lack of understanding or nervousness goining into the bottom position. Can you post a video?

and it is going to parallel....not lateral.

Originally Posted by BulkBoy

I have a problem with getting lateral on squats. Most of the people I lift with can easily get lateral, and even lower than lateral on their squats. I can't seem to do this. I either have to bring my heels completely off the ground, or come forward where my chest is almost touching my quads. I was just wondering if this is a flexibility issue, or what.

I have the same problem, but mine is due to ankle injuries from football that is now permanent. My leg simple doesn’t rotate enough and I have to go onto my tiptoes to do squats. I have two suggestions for you:
This is going to sound real fucking dumb, but I have been doing it for 8 months now. On leg days I wear old shoes that I screwed a 2x2x1 sized piece of wood to the rear bottom of my shoe, and then smoothed it with a drimel tool. This allows me to do deep squats with good form.

Sometimes I forget my special shoes are just don't feel like wearing them when the gym is busy, because lets face it, they look really fucking dumb. You can squat on a smith machine, but position yourself to where you are leaning back on it instead of right under it. You don't get as good of a core workout on the smith machine, but at least you have a full ROM.

I think i know what my problem is. My knees always come out in front of my feet. [Edit: I have never had flexible legs at all.] I can't seem to control this when I try to perform the motion even without weight. I don't really have any way to record a video.

Originally Posted by BulkBoy

I think i know what my problem is. My knees always come out in front of my feet. [Edit: I have never had flexible legs at all.] I can't seem to control this when I try to perform the motion even without weight. I don't really have any way to record a video.

If your knees are moving past the point of your feet, then you don't have a flexibility problem. My legs won't move on my feet past a 90 degree angle.

Try front squats. I can go down untill my hamstrings touch my calves with barely leaning forward on front squats.

Originally Posted by BulkBoy

I have a problem with getting lateral on squats. Most of the people I lift with can easily get lateral, and even lower than lateral on their squats. I can't seem to do this. I either have to bring my heels completely off the ground, or come forward where my chest is almost touching my quads. I was just wondering if this is a flexibility issue, or what.

Hows your hamstring? maybe you need more flexibilty work.

When you do squats you move your "ass" down (not bend forwards at the knees) and your back should start to lean (not bend!) slightly forward to counter balance yourself as you go down.

i have the same problem Of getting on my toes when I squat. I put a 10lb weight at the front of my toes and step on it in order to keep my heels on the ground. Good luck