My problem with squats

[Big_BK]

If you are just starting out and stabilizers are week DO NOT USE A BELT! Actually, i wouldn't use a belt period unless you are going for a max. Now that i've been doing beltless training i can hit 455 comfortably without any support gear.

 

[the_alcatraz]

If you are just starting out and stabilizers are week DO NOT USE A BELT! Actually, i wouldn't use a belt period unless you are going for a max. Now that i've been doing beltless training i can hit 455 comfortably without any support gear.

Ever since I started using a belt with squats, I stopped hurting myself lol

I used to go pretty damn heavy...

What is your reasoning for not using a belt when squatting bro?

 

[Scotsman]

Ever since I started using a belt with squats, I stopped hurting myself lol

I used to go pretty damn heavy...

What is your reasoning for not using a belt when squatting bro?

Squatting without the belt makes your body stabilize the weight on it's own and will help increase core strength. Unless you are going maximal or near maximal weight you shouldn't use a belt. Since the belt helps stabilize you overuse of it will impede progress in the core. As you get stonger the weight at which you need a belt goes up as does the weight you can handle without one. Use a belt as a training tool not a crutch and you will gain a lot better.

Cheers,
Scotsman

 

[Devastation]

agreed. don't use a belt except for max attempts

 

[Big_BK]

Yeah scotts is on the right track. I was using it for pretty much everything and although i was strong as hell, when that belt came off i lost alot on my lifts. I also had some weaknesses in my form which came down to a weak core so i dropped the belt on everything. Sure my lifts suffered but after a short amount of time they were right back up where they were. When you wear a belt it gives your abs something to push against giving you a tight core which is good and you want that but when you dont use a belt your abs have to work harder to keep tight since they dont have anything to push against as well as all your other stabilizer muscles. When you start out you have to do weight you can handle and slowly work your way up, that is how you avoid injury.

 

[rediculus]

He's got it right. A buddy of mine can and prefers to actually sit on his heels..like we go to a restaraunt he squats in the chair. I squat down at first it was tough because I didn't realize how inflexible my calves were. Gradually getting better (other than getting dizzy and crashing with 315 on my back ouch...) I punched from 250 for 5 to 315 for 5. That's going to parallel not DEEP Knee squats.

The reason why you lean forward (in your case too much) is probably because of ankle inflexiblity (ie tight calves). When you descend down into your squat, your butt sticks out. To counterbalance that, your body shifts your weight forward (knees traveling forward). If you're ankles aren't flexible enough your knees can't travel forward to counterbalance your butt. Regaurdless, the body isn't going to let itself fall back on its ass and look like a fool, so it shifts weight forward to keep you balanced the only way it can-- by having you lean forward (placing stress on your back).

The key to solving this is to work on increasing your ankle flexiblity, which is usually just an issue of tight calves. Loosen those bad boys up and your knees will be able to travel forward more easily, which will allow your body to balance itself, which will keep you from having to lean forward so much just to stay on your feet.

Good luck with the training bro.

 

[squirt-tribepowerlifting]

regardless of ur height post a vid

but to me sounds like weak glutes and core

incorporate reverse hypers, glute-ham raise, and lots of STANDING abs

also do hip briges a few times a week outside of the gym and blast strap ab fallouts are great too