Squats

[Toshendin]

Am I the only one that isn't able to do squats? I can barely do 50lbs squats because when the weight is on my traps it just hurts like a mother fucker. My knees also hurt a whole lot when coming up from the squat. Anyone have any tips on squatting?

 

[diamonddiceclay]

use the foam cover on the bar

 

[Skizac]

Bah. The foam cover is for sissies. It also can cause you to have slightly bad form b/c it places the bar farther from your body, and it can cause the bar to "roll" down your back.

My guess is that you are placing the bar too high on your neck. Try moving it farther down to below the top of your traps.

Also, you might just be a wuss. Just suck it up and do them for a while. As you get stronger, you will be able to handle the weight better.

 

[needsize]

My guess is that you are placing the bar too high on your neck. Try moving it farther down to below the top of your traps.

exactly, plus moving the bar lower improves your center of gravity so you don't tip forward at the bottom of the rep. When I first started squating, the bar always used to hurt, now I can go up to a 500lb single without any pain, your body will get used to it.

 

[Screwball]

Squatting...

The more you squat the better you will become in their execution. The pain in your traps will go away with continued training and the tips offered above.

- Screwball

 

[downsent]

Just a question that has to do with squating. Wearing braces on the knees, does that adversly affect me in any way? My knees pop like a mutha if i dont wear them.

 

[Skizac]

Just a question that has to do with squating. Wearing braces on the knees, does that adversly affect me in any way? My knees pop like a mutha if i dont wear them.

What sort of braces are we talking about? Are these doctor-prescribed for some sort of joint condition? If so, I would recommend seeing a sports physician before squatting.

My knees used to pop when I hit rock bottom on the first rep or two, but they don't do that anymore. My guess is that I've built up enough cartilage and connecting tissue to protect my knees.

 

[Burncycle360]

my knees pop often, squats or not. The only good part is, I've never like injured them (except the usual scrapes and what have you when you learn to ride a bike when your a kid, lol)

Anyways, I have a bar here (from a weight bench/set I got for chritsmas, only 100 pound weights max, and the bar is shorter than the normal bar) It's got 60 pounds on it at the moment (I'm wanting to tone the back of my legs and butt)

But I mean I'm doing a bunch of reps but I'm not really feeling anything (kind of like with those ab rollers, I was at it for 5 minutes and didn't feel a thing) I know my stance and everythings right, do I just need to add more weight or something?

 

[Skizac]

my knees pop often, squats or not. The only good part is, I've never like injured them (except the usual scrapes and what have you when you learn to ride a bike when your a kid, lol)

Anyways, I have a bar here (from a weight bench/set I got for chritsmas, only 100 pound weights max, and the bar is shorter than the normal bar) It's got 60 pounds on it at the moment (I'm wanting to tone the back of my legs and butt)

But I mean I'm doing a bunch of reps but I'm not really feeling anything (kind of like with those ab rollers, I was at it for 5 minutes and didn't feel a thing) I know my stance and everythings right, do I just need to add more weight or something?

There is no such thing as "toning". There is only losing fat and gaining muscle. All the fitness magazines have lied to you.

Doing a bunch of reps will only make you tired. You have to go heavy and do multiple sets. If you can do over 12 reps in a set, then the weight is too light.

 

[Burncycle360]

"There is only losing fat and gaining muscle"

Then that's what I wanna do

I'll try it with heavier weights

 

[Imnotdutch]

Am I the only one that isn't able to do squats? I can barely do 50lbs squats because when the weight is on my traps it just hurts like a mother fucker. My knees also hurt a whole lot when coming up from the squat. Anyone have any tips on squatting?

Tip 1: Squatting is not for wuss's. If you are a wuss go play with the leg press instead . If you aren't a wuss.....quit whining .

Tip 2: Your body adapts to situations you put it into. If you squat, your body will get used to it and stop hurting where you rest the bar.

Tip 3: As the others said, use a lower bar position.....I use my rear delts as a resting place for the bar.

Tip 4: If you rest the bar on top of bone you will get some funky bruises if you use alot of weight. Try not to rest the bar directly onto bone.

 

[Lord_Suston]

Squats are the most painful and grueling exercise there is, and that is why i like it. Place the bar lower on your back right where the traps intersect with your deltoids. About the popping in your knees, you might need to warm-up properly, many times people just start squatting right away without warming up, this is a no no cause there needs to be more fluid in you knees joint and other joint to provide cushioning and to prevent strains and tears. Once you get used to the motion the weight isn't bad. Hey Needsize that's a lot of weight. I got 315lbs for 8 today past parrallel no help, what kind of routine do you have?

 

[Toshendin]

I did my first training session with squats yesterday. Only 50lbs, but I'm a begginer so I'm happy with that. I like squats now. I just do some stretching and warm up my knees and the knee pain goes away. I've put the bar lower and I feel almost no pain in my traps. Thanks for the advice, guys.