Thread: Back squats...need help!

Just practice with light weights until you get the form down. If you can have someone spot you (that knows how to lift) then they can call you out when they see bad form which will help a lot.

For balancing weight, that sounds like you might be leaning forward when squatting which is a bad, bad thing. Try to push through the floor with your heels and it should help.

Weight back on heels, chest up(like your pushing your tits outward), back kept straight (relative to body) head and chin up(try looking slightly up to a spot on the wall above your head), push with the heels, don;t initiate the movement by bending forward at the waist but by "squatting" with the legs.

I think it is just a matter of practice.

Check out this guy's videos for some tips:

Thanks guys. I will start with very light weight and gradually increase it

yeah teh squat dr vids are AWESOME.. check out elitefts's vids on youtube as well..their account is LOADED wiht badass videos.

I have the same problem buddy..anytime i squat heavy my ass comes up first and i have to basically perform a good morning..the key is getting it all to come together at the same time. Drive through the hells, hips up and forward and chest up and back with your head leading the way on the way up.

I have NEVER felt truly comfortable in a back squat. Front - no problem. I don't even DO back squats anymore. I can NOT push through my heels when I do 'em - and I get better quad activation on fronts anyway.

Originally Posted by Built

I have NEVER felt truly comfortable in a back squat. Front - no problem. I don't even DO back squats anymore. I can NOT push through my heels when I do 'em - and I get better quad activation on fronts anyway.

Hey Built, don't let the proponents of Squat proclaiming it as the "King of Exercises" hear that

On a serious note, isn't the back squat one of the fundamental exercises and the best compound movement after deadlift? In fact my current 5 X 5 program is based heavily on squats done thrice a week.

Originally Posted by Built

I have NEVER felt truly comfortable in a back squat. Front - no problem. I don't even DO back squats anymore. I can NOT push through my heels when I do 'em - and I get better quad activation on fronts anyway.

Originally Posted by sakbar

Hey Built, don't let the proponents of Squat proclaiming it as the "King of Exercises" hear that

On a serious note, isn't the back squat one of the fundamental exercises and the best compound movement after deadlift? In fact my current 5 X 5 program is based heavily on squats done thrice a week.

Why would the proponents of Squat (of which I am one) not appreciate the front squat? I free front-squat below parallel at least what I weigh - we're not talking smith machine crap here.

Practice form with light weight and in the mean time get your hips/hamstrings and core stronger with DL's, hyper/GHR's, GM's etc.

Some people are also not flexible enough in their calves to get deep on their heels. Flexibility of everything from your ankle up is important in these movements.

If your heels come off the floor, get that ass BACK! Try box squats for a bit.