A couple squat questions

[troubador]

I'm still working on my squat form, one thing I keep having an issue with is sometimes on the way up I feel the need or actually have to take a step back so I don't fall back on my ass. Why is that? Maybe I'm forgetting to lift with my hips and instead lifting my chest?

Also, is there any reason to not use one of those pads that wraps around the barbell? It seems to really save my spine.

 

[JAja04]

Sounds to me like a hip mobility problem. Google some exercises for hip mobility and do them for 3 to 4 weeks.

 

[Phineas]

First of all, how would you lift with your chest on squat????

Secondly, it sounds to me like you're a high-bar squatter who wants to be low-bar. Squatting low-bar puts you in a more condensed position with much more leverige. It seems to work well for lifters who don't have really long legs. Low-bar is more of powerlifter style squat. Google it.

As for the pad, if you want feel free. Nothing wrong with that. Though, it might be wise to ditch it at some point and develop some neck callus, so that should the situation ever arise where you don't have the pad you can't still do your squats. Generally, the less equipment the better.

 

[cshea2]

I'm still working on my squat form, one thing I keep having an issue with is sometimes on the way up I feel the need or actually have to take a step back so I don't fall back on my ass. Why is that? Maybe I'm forgetting to lift with my hips and instead lifting my chest?

Also, is there any reason to not use one of those pads that wraps around the barbell? It seems to really save my spine.

The barbell pad thing is just so the bar doesn't hurt your traps. After a couple weeks though your traps will toughen up, so you don't really need it. To protect your spine just make sure you keep a slightly arched back and pinch your shoulder blades together. I think you could probably benefit from some Good Mornings for hip flexibility.

 

[Zaphod]

Perhaps some flexibility issue?

 

[troubador]

First of all, how would you lift with your chest on squat????

Not lift with my chest - I meant perhaps my chest starts to raise before my hips do.

Secondly, it sounds to me like you're a high-bar squatter who wants to be low-bar. Squatting low-bar puts you in a more condensed position with much more leverige. It seems to work well for lifters who don't have really long legs. Low-bar is more of powerlifter style squat. Google it.

Good call, I normally do place the bar high and I'm 6'4". I'll definitely try lowering the placement.

Sounds to me like a hip mobility problem.

I'll have to research that.

 

[Merkaba]

Sounds you have a mobility issue or you're trying to go down with your back too straight up and down. You will have to feel as if you're rolling down and under the bar a little. You may feel some sense of rotation about the hips.

As for the pad, if you want feel free. Nothing wrong with that. Though, it might be wise to ditch it at some point and develop some neck callus, so that should the situation ever arise where you don't have the pad you can't still do your squats. Generally, the less equipment the better.

Neck callus???? lol... No way would I go for that.

Most people say get some traps and back muscles so you will have some padding. The bar really shouldn't be touching your "spine".

Use the pad if it makes you feel better. Though some of us call it the maxi-pad.