Problem with squats.

[seizer]

I'm starting to develop this problem with my squats, where, on my way up, my knees start to bend inwards. I think maybe its because my legs are struggling to push the heavy weight. But I'm wondering if thats not the case, but my posture, and positioning with my hips and back and everything is a little skewed. Do any of you guys know how I could correct this? Am I working with too high of a weight?

 

[kcpmeo22]

How far are you going down??? How far apart are your legs apart?? I generally do ass to calves (to keep the stress off my knees) and my legs are shoulder width apart or a lil wider. Sitting back on your heels and throwing your ass back to keep your knees behind your toes and the stress off your knees will cause you to use more hammy and glute which in most cases will prevent your knees from buckling unless you are using too much weight.

 

[blut wump]

Pushing out with your feet and thrusting with your hips should help. Also make an effort to keep your knees out. Meanwhile, you could try working to strengthen your hips.

 

[Illuminati]

what kind of a stance do you use when squatting? this will be a big help in trying to give you advice. there is an excellent sticky on squatting over on the PL forum.

 

[b fold the truth]

How far apart are your feet?
What kind of shoes are you squatting in?

B True

 

[Madcow2]

Is it like this video in the first post: http://www.midwestbarbell.com/totalelite/index.php?showtopic=662

There's a long discussion on it. Probably something you'd want to avoid on a consistent training basis but if it's your best effort 1 or 2RM than so be it.

 

[Guinness5.0]

Is it like this video in the first post: http://www.midwestbarbell.com/totalelite/index.php?showtopic=662

There's a long discussion on it. Probably something you'd want to avoid on a consistent training basis but if it's your best effort 1 or 2RM than so be it.

A bit off topic...

Would the squat in the vid be considered ATF or ass-to-grass? I squat to about that depth and I wonder just how literally to take those colorful terms. Besides, if I went any deeper I think I'd fall over.

 

[Jim Ouini]

That video brings up a question I've been wondering about for awhile now since I've been trying to do full squats: is some bounce at the bottom not only condoned but encouraged?

Almost every vid I see of Oly lifters everything is done fast and explosively, obviously. But for general weight training, what's the recommended technique?

I don't lower the weight nearly as fast as the guy in the vid, but as I approach the bottom, I find it helpful to do a little, uhm, butt rock bounce to 'explode' (using the term loosely here) out of the bottom.

Or do I need to lower the weight yet again?

 

[Madcow2]

Well, to put it in perspective this is almost a 500 double for a 150 pounder (so a > 3x bodyweight for a double with no equipment) and it's shot close to competition. I imagine he's just banging it out or already fatigued from other work. I'd be surprised if he warms up and trains with technique like that. I'm just trying to get an idea on why Ceasar means exactly and whether or not it's on all lifts.

 

[coolcolj]

Well his legs do that on a squat jerk as well which is pretty light compared to his squats

Just the way he squats I'm sure, even other olylifters I've seen squat do this, but to a lesser degree. Even I do it, I think it comes with this type of squat. Doesn't seem to hurt or anything

 

[seizer]

Basically, when I squat, I get a little widder than shoulder-width positioning with my feet stance. I bring my ass to just before my calves then I bring the weight back up and thats when my knees start to buckle. Its getting pretty bad...my knees are honestly like 6-8 inches from each other when they start to get close.

 

[kcpmeo22]

Basically, when I squat, I get a little widder than shoulder-width positioning with my feet stance. I bring my ass to just before my calves then I bring the weight back up and thats when my knees start to buckle. Its getting pretty bad...my knees are honestly like 6-8 inches from each other when they start to get close.

Are your feet pointed straight ahead or are they pointed out at an angle?? How tall are you? I find that anytime my knees carry forward excessively (past my toes) I begin to buckle. Looking up extensively tends to allow me sit back more on my heels.

 

[seizer]

I'm 6'2. And when I go into the squat, my feet seem pretty straight (pointing forward). However, I will make not of it next time I squat to keep them pointing forward if they werent already.

I'm wondering if when I am down at the bottom of the squat that my back is more bent forward (hard to say, though I believe its at a good angle) which could be putting more stress on the front half of my body, causing the knees to buckles. Just a thought.

 

[coolcolj]

try doing bulgarian splitsquats, you need to strengthen your glutes

 

[seizer]

try doing bulgarian splitsquats, you need to strengthen your glutes

really?

I realize that size isnt an indicator or strength, but my glutes are huge lol.
How do perform them? Is it a big variation from regular squats because I dont want to switch up the excersises just yet in this round of my madcow program.

 

[coolcolj]

your probably just not firing them properly

just add in a couple of sets as an accessory,

split squat with rear leg on a bench, I'm sure you know of it.

 

[Tom Treutlein]

I don't know how to do 'em either. Someone wanna point us to a link?