I need a tip for mind-muscle connection with squats...

[psychedout]

Lately it seems that when doing regular bb squats, I just can't get the mind muscle connection going. As a result I can't feel it as much in my quads as I would like to.

I have no problem getting the connection going when doing hack sqauts or front squats....

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[theoak01]

try to push your heels through the floor. I find that works for me,or just thinking quads over and over in your mind, that helps also

 

[psychedout]

Thanks IMB. Just gotta be careful it doesn't affect my balance.

 

[theoak01]

def use saftey catches until you get use to it, I noticed when I started thinking of driving heels through the floor my toes came up and I almost feel a few times

 

[psychedout]

def use saftey catches until you get use to it, I noticed when I started thinking of driving heels through the floor my toes came up and I almost feel a few times

Of course. Nothing is as shocking as dumping a squat.

 

[louden_swain]

I am sorry to say this, but the previous posts have nothing to do with the muscle mind connection. . . this information yields no value.

Quote: def use saftey catches until you get use to it, I noticed when I started thinking of driving heels through the floor my toes came up and I almost feel a few times

What does this have to do with the muscle/mind connection?

Here is how you establish the muscle to mind connection. .

1. think about how your quads are working.
2. focus on how the muscles feel during your sets
3. ask yourself. . what does the blood flow feel like?
4. ask yourself. . how does it feel? any burning?
5. think about the biomechanics of the exercise in your mind.
6. Ask yourself if your technique is sufficient.
7. when you train be sure to think about keeping your movements tight. . .always think of this when concentrating on your set.

The muscle/mind connection involves deep concentration. When you have the proper connection you will be unable to hear conversations and the music in the background.

I hope these are some good tips. . .

for now. . concentrate. . concentrate. . concentrate!!

 

[slobberknocker]

I thought quads weren't hit much in squats. I thought it was more hamstrings, hip flexors, butt, and lower back.

 

[louden_swain]

I thought quads weren't hit much in squats. I thought it was more hamstrings, hip flexors, butt, and lower back.

It depends on how you squat.

Squats are an excellent quad developer. . .typically the closer the stance, the more the quads are tagetted. Closer stance rely less on the hips.

 

[theoak01]

I am sorry to say this, but the previous posts have nothing to do with the muscle mind connection. . . this information yields no value.

Quote: def use saftey catches until you get use to it, I noticed when I started thinking of driving heels through the floor my toes came up and I almost feel a few times

What does this have to do with the muscle/mind connection?

Here is how you establish the muscle to mind connection. .

1. think about how your quads are working.
2. focus on how the muscles feel during your sets
3. ask yourself. . what does the blood flow feel like?
4. ask yourself. . how does it feel? any burning?
5. think about the biomechanics of the exercise in your mind.
6. Ask yourself if your technique is sufficient.
7. when you train be sure to think about keeping your movements tight. . .always think of this when concentrating on your set.

The muscle/mind connection involves deep concentration. When you have the proper connection you will be unable to hear conversations and the music in the background.

I hope these are some good tips. . .


makes far more sense,the way I was doing it worked quads but I guess not much for mind/muscle
for now. . concentrate. . concentrate. . concentrate!!

 

[psychedout]

Thank you LS. Great explanation.

 

[spatts]

If you want to isolate your quads do an isolation exercise.

 

[louden_swain]

If you are more into bodybuilding. . .there are a number of possibilities.

Here might be a possible routine:

1. Leg Extensions (warmup) 3 x 15,12,10
2. Leg Presses - 3 x 10,10,10
3. Squats - 4 x 8-12

This type of routine will pre-exhaust the quads before you get to heavy squats. Essentially, your quads will give out before your lower back.

A shoulder width on squats should do. . .you can experiment with a closer stance if you wish. The problem is that the closer you get, the harder it is to reach parallel. Of course, you you have immense flexibility in the ankles and knees, this may not be a problem.

 

[b fold the truth]

If you want to isolate your quads do an isolation exercise.

I agree. Squats are not an isolation exercise...they are a total body building exercise.

B True

 

[Generic MALE]

I find closing my eyes - but "seeing" the muscle - is the best way to get connected.

I find doing 2/3 squats makes me feel it in the quads more than full squats. By this I mean only doing the bottom 2/3. Go all the way down (which for me is just to parallel) and only go 2/3 up - not all the way up - do 10 to 12 reps and your quads will demand attention from the burning you will feel. Your mind will not e able to ignore them.

 

[MikeyG]

FRONT SQUATS! They hit my quads like no other-- and takes the total lower back pain when I go heavy with regular squats.

 

[spatts]

Why does your lower back hurt when you squat? Is it injured or just too weak?

 

[MikeyG]

No, it does not hurt, nor is weak.

But, by performing squats I can tell that it places an large amount of stress on the lower back-- (gets tired and sore afterwards).

Plus I can go much deeper with my front squats, and it seems to hit my quads like no other.

Another note is that I have a mild lordosis of my lower spine (anterior pelvic tilt) which means i have to try somewhat extra hard to keep the arch of my lower back as i squat down with regular squats.

 

[edgecrusher]

Power squats do not really target the quads, as Slobberknocker said, they hit the posterior chain primarily. If you want to focus more on your quads, you have either elevat your heals or shift the resistance from the rear to the front of your body (ie front squats.)

AS far as the mind muscle conection is concerned, I'm totally sold on it. i feel it is really just a way to make the indidvual move a bit slower, and reduce cheating. But if it is something you like and has produced results for you, then by all means keep using it.