My problem with squats

[JLowe02]

I know its next to impossible to evaluate anyone's form without a vid, but i thought i would post my problem anyway. I have recently been doing squats again, the first time since high school. I quit them in high school cuz i pulled a hamstring really bad and i was scared of getting hurt. Well anyways i been doin em again, and working out with really light weight until i get my form good. But even with no weight on my shoulders, i have trouble keeping my back perfectly straight, i always want to lean forward a little. Is this normal, or am i doin something wrong? Im not leaning forward to excess, but i am leaning.

Quote posted by JLowe02 I know its next to impossible to evaluate anyone's form without a vid, but i thought i would post my problem anyway. I have recently been doing squats again, the first time since high school. I quit them in high school cuz i pulled a hamstring really bad and i was scared of getting hurt. Well anyways i been doin em again, and working out with really light weight until i get my form good. But even with no weight on my shoulders, i have trouble keeping my back perfectly straight, i always want to lean forward a little. Is this normal, or am i doin something wrong? Im not leaning forward to excess, but i am leaning.

Maybe work on strengthening your lower back/core. That seems to help me.

[[B24]]

as long as your not rounding, a lean is fine. probably subconciously trying to keep the bar on your back..

[DaveTSI]

Quote posted by JLowe02 I know its next to impossible to evaluate anyone's form without a vid, but i thought i would post my problem anyway. I have recently been doing squats again, the first time since high school. I quit them in high school cuz i pulled a hamstring really bad and i was scared of getting hurt. Well anyways i been doin em again, and working out with really light weight until i get my form good. But even with no weight on my shoulders, i have trouble keeping my back perfectly straight, i always want to lean forward a little. Is this normal, or am i doin something wrong? Im not leaning forward to excess, but i am leaning.

post a video and ill try to help

[PoweredUp]

Quote posted by JLowe02 I know its next to impossible to evaluate anyone's form without a vid, but i thought i would post my problem anyway. I have recently been doing squats again, the first time since high school. I quit them in high school cuz i pulled a hamstring really bad and i was scared of getting hurt. Well anyways i been doin em again, and working out with really light weight until i get my form good. But even with no weight on my shoulders, i have trouble keeping my back perfectly straight, i always want to lean forward a little. Is this normal, or am i doin something wrong? Im not leaning forward to excess, but i am leaning.

I think I may have a similar problem in regards to leaning. When I am going heavy on the squats and I drop below parallel, it seems that during my ascent my back leans forward at some point, and my upper back is finishing off the lift (which I feel in my lower back). It's almost like a semi-good morning at the end of the rep. My upper legs are definitely powering the beginning of the ascent, but my upper back seems pushing against the barbell to finish it. How big of a problem is?

[KC Kancho]

A little leaning is fine with the regular squats. Try front squatting. You'll be forced to have a more upright position in order to do the exercise properly.

[thebadguy54]

post a vid... side view would be best

[artificialaspirations]

the lean is necessary for the bar to travel up and down in a linear fashion. Search vids on the net or watch yourself in mirror. mechanically the body cannot do it. Whats most important is to maintain the arch in your back.

The balance issues you are having will iron themselves out as you get more used to the movement. The stabilizers will delevop and make this easier. In the mean time squat down and act like you are picking up a 40 lb sack of potatoes and stand straight up with it. You will feel that your body knows the correct way to squat and lift w/ its legs. Practice this without weight and then w/ the bar on your shoulders and strenght will go up quickly.

[dirty~d~]

Quote posted by artificialaspirations the lean is necessary for the bar to travel up and down in a linear fashion. Search vids on the net or watch yourself in mirror. mechanically the body cannot do it. Whats most important is to maintain the arch in your back. The balance issues you are having will iron themselves out as you get more used to the movement. The stabilizers will delevop and make this easier. In the mean time squat down and act like you are picking up a 40 lb sack of potatoes and stand straight up with it. You will feel that your body knows the correct way to squat and lift w/ its legs. Practice this without weight and then w/ the bar on your shoulders and strenght will go up quickly.

+1^^^

Another thing to work on is to remember to push more through your heels. Try to forget that you have toes.

[scott8941]

If you are tall dont worry too much.

if your pretty short, get a video on here!