Here's my squat vid

[Maks]

Nice squat video, congrats.
Im afraid im not qualified to do form comments.

Jim, you mentioned that you do hip flexor stretches in GSP's journal. How frequently are you doing them? (Or, to be more direct, if you're not doing them thrice daily, try that and see if it helps you keep your torso up more.)

Just to show my ignorance: why does stretching of the hip flexors help you keep more upright ? Hip flexors as in those muscles that pull your knees to your chest ? - I dont say that it doesnt but i would like to understand it. I would be glad if someone could enlighten me.
Sorry for hijacking.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Here ya go:

http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=459517

BTW, I don't think congrats are in order for this vid but thanks anyway

 

[anotherbutters]

When you looked at the vid, did it match how you thought you were squatting?

 

[Cynical Simian]

Just to show my ignorance: why does stretching of the hip flexors help you keep more upright ? Hip flexors as in those muscles that pull your knees to your chest ? - I dont say that it doesnt but i would like to understand it. I would be glad if someone could enlighten me.

Jim's T-Nation link should help, and there are a bunch of other articles there and on other sites about flexibility and the squat.

Also, it might make sense if you just reverse how you described the hip flexors. Rather than thinking about pulling your knees to your chest, think of them as pulling your chest (or more generally, your torso), to your knees when you squat.

 

[Jim Ouini]

When you looked at the vid, did it match how you thought you were squatting?

I thought I was deeper

It's about what I thought, my big fear was that I'd be pulling up short although I can feel my hams contacting my calves when I'm lifting (really I can). I remember Glenn P. and Rippetoe saying you don't have to go butt to ankles unless you're really flexible, which I'm not. In my last 5 x 5 I'd get down a little lower but at the expense of my butt tucking under. I think that contributed to the lower back pain that I'm experiencing now.

Also, my stance in the vid is a bit narrower and feet more straight ahead than I have in the past (I think I have some weak adductors); this may affect my depth a bit as I can't seem to open up as well and therefore the sit between the legs thing is harder for me.

 

[Maks]

Thanks for the link and the advice. I will be stretching more, then.

Its strange isnt it ? You always think you go deeper than you actually do.

 

[thelion2005]

I'm sorry .... I see all good. You are coming down below parallel, back straight and chin up. If I heard right, you have the shoes with lift heels? If not ... doesn't matter.

I would get a belt and wrap the knees.
Hope you warmed up prior with some extensions or the bike. Protect the knees now.

Go for 315 and higher reps in the coming months. You are on your way.

Precious K to you.

 

[fortunatesun]

Also, my stance in the vid is a bit narrower and feet more straight ahead than I have in the past

Something else we have in common. For me, it means being able to develop a better rhythm and getting my weight directly on my heels for the trip up. I'm getting more reps this way.

 

[Jim Ouini]

Today I did 4 x 6 (as part of my '5 x 5') @ 225. I really concentrated on keeping my chest up, elbows back, shoulder blades pinched and minimize the hip break. Stance was heels about shoulder width and feet pointed out a bit.

I liked it. I felt a lot tighter and more compact, like a spring

Of course it was only 225.

 

[The Shadow]

i might be rehashing old info, but: lean onto your abs. and, don't just bend at the waist, it's like sticking your ass out as far as it can go then bending forward because of it. but take care of that lower back first.

yep...and if you wear a belt....push the abs against it as you lift