Squats form check?

[enwar3]

Empty bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuyG-FxE4EU
Work set: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qjJDiVSxUA

I just moved to barbells like a month ago so my form might be completely off. I'd like to fix it now if it's terrible though.... =)

 

[SociallyChallenged]

The first thing I see is that you're not coming all the way up. You allow your knees to be bent throughout the entire movement. You don't want to completely lock out your knees, but you want to come up further than that. Also, have more control of your speed. It should be a very methodical, flowing motion. Your lumbar arch and depth are good, but your whole motion is kinda jerky. Work on control - it's an important part of avoiding injury.

 

[Unmoosical]

Just wanted to add, make sure you are pushing from your heels. I see people go forward to their toes all the time. You might be doing this properly already, just can't see your feet in the video.

 

[enwar3]

Thanks guys. I knew I wasn't supposed to lock out my knees but I didn't realize I was stopping that far down. I'll be working on that. I was a lot worried about my lumbar arch since it seems to straighten out at the bottom and I can't do anything about it.

 

[crt1530]

Locking your knees = bad is a myth.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: crt1530
Locking your knees = bad is a myth.

Besides that it actually looks pretty solid.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: crt1530
Locking your knees = bad is a myth.

Locking your knees in most situations is bad. I just converted that to the squats. I wasn't aware that there was a myth about this. The problem is that if your goal is to lock your knees out every rep you will hyperextend and cut off blood vessels every single rep. People pass out when they lock their knees without hundreds of pounds on their back.

 

[nccr]

Good old Arrillaga. What year are you?

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: crt1530
Locking your knees = bad is a myth.

Locking your knees in most situations is bad. I just converted that to the squats. I wasn't aware that there was a myth about this. The problem is that if your goal is to lock your knees out every rep you will hyperextend and cut off blood vessels every single rep. People pass out when they lock their knees without hundreds of pounds on their back.

I don't ever think it's a good idea to completely lock out the knee to the point where all the weight is put onto the knee joint, but the OP should definitely come up further than he does, as you said. I couldn't possibly see the OP handling a large amount of weight on his back without locking his knees to some extent.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: crt1530
Locking your knees = bad is a myth.

Locking your knees in most situations is bad. I just converted that to the squats. I wasn't aware that there was a myth about this. The problem is that if your goal is to lock your knees out every rep you will hyperextend and cut off blood vessels every single rep. People pass out when they lock their knees without hundreds of pounds on their back.

I don't ever think it's a good idea to completely lock out the knee to the point where all the weight is put onto the knee joint, but the OP should definitely come up further than he does, as you said. I couldn't possibly see the OP handling a large amount of weight on his back without locking his knees to some extent.

Right, I agree. Perhaps my efforts would have been better spent in telling the OP that he shouldn't lock them hard. It's really more of a full extension thing. I don't equate my lockout as what I actually consider locking out (I picture a member of the school band locking his legs out too hard).

 

[conorvansmack]

I'd say either extending the knees or pushing his hips forward. They were still back a bit too far when he was at the top of his movement.

 

[enwar3]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
I'd say either extending the knees or pushing his hips forward. They were still back a bit too far when he was at the top of his movement.

Well I try to keep my hips back cuz I'm afraid I'll tip over if I push the weight too far back. I'm trying to keep it above my feet?

Originally posted by: nccr
Good old Arrillaga. What year are you?

lol... Sophomore. Are you still here? I get really mad when the racks fill up =(




Tomorrow I'll try more of an extension in the legs and see how that goes.

 

[nccr]

Yeah, I'm a coterm. I generally try to go before late afternoon when it starts getting really crowded.

 

[conorvansmack]

As your hips travel back, your torso will naturally move forward to keep the weight centered. Trust me, you'll know when the weight is back too far. Go ahead and drive your hips forward. It will happen naturally if you squeeze your glutes and tighten your abs.