Basis Squat Technique

[Westy Carl]

Newbie to squats, but figured they could be helpful. Depending on which website there is a different technique / squat.

What I'm after is a basic squat technique. My ankles are't that mobile so what I'm doing is;

Feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed outwards maybe 20 deg form straught ahead, squat down so thighs are just above parallel. Any lower than this and I either need to lift heels or bend forward at the waist too much.

Is this OK? (at the moment I'm using a girls weight just to try and get form)

[KamSandhu44]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFAscG0XUNY

check the video out.

Try to break parallel, when squat down, stick your ass out like you are sitting down and make sure your knees never go past your toes.

[didelydoo]

KamSandhu44 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFAscG0XUNY

check the video out.

Try to break parallel, when squat down, stick your ass out like you are sitting down and make sure your knees never go past your toes.

That video's pish.

Work on flexibility and squat highbar when learning IMO as it's natural- this may help http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYMqN6vveB0

Sit down, stand up, stay tight. No need to stick your ass out, or worry about your knees. Squat in a way that feels natural, everyone's different. Look at bar placement and other variations when you've developed the basics.

Hope this is of help.

[SHutchinson]

I would start with air squats and flexibility movements. Personally I don't see any point adding weights when you can't get the movement correct. I'm no expert though.

[Westy Carl]

Thanks.

looks like I need to find a quiet time in the gym and practise with just a bar

[Hoofy]

Try a broomstick in the privacy of your own home.

[Westy Carl]

Hoofy said:

Try a broomstick in the privacy of your own home.

and have the misses and my 8yr old rip the ****. I'll go to the gym thanks

[SHutchinson]

Westy Carl said:

Thanks.

looks like I need to find a quiet time in the gym and practise with just a bar

I'd been going to a bootcamp for about 18 months doing a whole load of air squats. Some sessions it felt like it was all we did. I then went to a session with a weightlifting coach. Before I picked a bar up he made me do some squats. The next 30 minutes were spent having him pull my technique apart piece by piece. I thought it was pointless at the time but I now see other people squatting and realise they're wasting so much energy just through an inefficient technique.

If you're struggling with flexibility there are loads of stretches you can do, proper manly ones. Or, go to Pilates and do the same things just surrounded by women. :-)

[stew-S160]

As much as I like Scott Herman, Dean Somerset does a much better set of instructional videos for squat and mobility techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNm3m6Q7wMY

[Hoofy]

Westy Carl said:

Hoofy said:

Try a broomstick in the privacy of your own home.

and have the misses and my 8yr old rip the ****. I'll go to the gym thanks