[picabloo]

This is a video of me squating a couple plates, but I've been told that even this isn't proper form. I could have sworn on my life I was doing them right. In the video, my legs do not quite go perfectly parallel with the floor, but my knees definitely reach 90 degrees with respect to my shins and thighs. What do you guys think? Any critique is appreciated. I think if I went any lower, it would possibly cause problems with my knees. Do you guys go lower? Higher?

YouTube - Proper Form - Squatting (225 lbs)

[freak_of_nature]

when u are descending later on during ur set, ur upperbody tends to give out and is leaning forward too much which may cause injury if u lose balance and tip over... maybe thats just from my point of view because the weight is blocking ur body so i can't really make out anything...

[mabo]

Goddammit.. I just spent 10 minutes typing a reply then the browser crashed.

I can't be bothered retyping unfortunately.

Bullet points:
- those squats are pretty ugly- looks hard on your knees and you're bent way over
- they're nowhere near parallel
- technique needs a lot of work
- going to need to open up at the hips more- squat between your legs rather than on top of them
- widen your stance and learn to sit back into the squat. Lets you get deeper and keeps your torso more upright.

Here's a video of some great squatting for comparison:
YouTube - 40 rep Squats

[Demon Knight]

Originally Posted by picabloo

This is a video of me squating a couple plates, but I've been told that even this isn't proper form. I could have sworn on my life I was doing them right. In the video, my legs do not quite go perfectly parallel with the floor, but my knees definitely reach 90 degrees with respect to my shins and thighs. What do you guys think? Any critique is appreciated. I think if I went any lower, it would possibly cause problems with my knees. Do you guys go lower? Higher?

YouTube - Proper Form - Squatting (225 lbs)

They are not bad squats, I've seen much much worse. Your feet seem planted on the ground, you're not "good morning" the weight...

Like others have said though, it's not deep enough to constitute a proper squat. This can be due to inflexibility rather than just form, so try a side one view like this, ensure you have a comfortable foot position for you (usually about shoulder width with feet pointed out 15 degrees, everyone is different) Now,with just the bar (after a good warmup and some dynamic stretching) ,try going as deep as you can before your back starts rounding. Remember, weight should not be on the toes. This is your current flexibility limit. If this is above parallel, then you need to look at increasing your flexibility. Have a look at Kurz's Stretching Scientifically.

I had almost exactly the same depth before and it took me a while to get used to proper squats. I was on about 40kg max for roughly 4 weeks to get the hang of things, then slowly increased.

[monkeybiker]

They were not that bad and I've seen a lot worse. I did notice you leaning forward as you were coming up from the bottom position on the last few reps which could lead to trouble.

[ZiR RED]

I'd like to see a front and rear vantage point too...but

Excessive forward lean. Could be due to tight hip flexors in conjunction with weak/under active glutes and weak lower back muscles.

Also, your feet seem to flatten, which is causing some of the excessive forward lean. This is due to tight calves, particularly the soleus. Stretch them suckers out!

Br

[picabloo]

Thanks for all the replies guys

Originally Posted by mabo

Goddammit.. I just spent 10 minutes typing a reply then the browser crashed.

I can't be bothered retyping unfortunately.

Bullet points:
- those squats are pretty ugly- looks hard on your knees and you're bent way over
- they're nowhere near parallel
- technique needs a lot of work
- going to need to open up at the hips more- squat between your legs rather than on top of them
- widen your stance and learn to sit back into the squat. Lets you get deeper and keeps your torso more upright.

Here's a video of some great squatting for comparison:
YouTube - 40 rep Squats

Originally Posted by Demon Knight

They are not bad squats, I've seen much much worse. Your feet seem planted on the ground, you're not "good morning" the weight...

Like others have said though, it's not deep enough to constitute a proper squat. This can be due to inflexibility rather than just form, so try a side one view like this, ensure you have a comfortable foot position for you (usually about shoulder width with feet pointed out 15 degrees, everyone is different) Now,with just the bar (after a good warmup and some dynamic stretching) ,try going as deep as you can before your back starts rounding. Remember, weight should not be on the toes. This is your current flexibility limit. If this is above parallel, then you need to look at increasing your flexibility. Have a look at Kurz's Stretching Scientifically.

I had almost exactly the same depth before and it took me a while to get used to proper squats. I was on about 40kg max for roughly 4 weeks to get the hang of things, then slowly increased.

Some of you mention that my feet are planted on the ground, could you explain a little more? Surly my feet aren't supposed to raise from the ground are they? Also a lot of you mention my excessive leaning forward. This is because of my body structure. My waist line is very, very high. When I stand next to other people my height, my waist line is way above theirs. This is due to a very short torso and very long legs. Thus, I would need to lean forward more than the average person to gain the same amount of leverage in order to keep my balance (simple physics).

With that in mind, I still do realize now that I have improving to do. Like some of you said, I could widen my stance more to reduce leaning forward. I may also have to look into some stretching, because I am anything but flexible. Thank you all for the great replies, and despite my horrid form, my legs are killing me

[Famine]

When I see guys leaning forward, typically it's because they are straining to put up the weight, and this is usually a very slow movement when they are straining. You seem to be able to easily push up the weight, so the question is, why the tilt forward. Actually, it's not just a tilt; it's an elliptical movement I see.

If you have a training partner, you coud have him guide the bar (with light weight) to break the habit.

[Kaboom]

Have to agree with Mabo and red.
Def what mabo said about squatting between your legs not on top.

Your body structure isnt really no excuse for your leaning.We all have different body types but you need to straighten up a little

[picabloo]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

Have to agree with Mabo and red.
Def what mabo said about squatting between your legs not on top.

Your body structure isnt really no excuse for your leaning.We all have different body types but you need to straighten up a little

Harsh, but I guess I deserved it. Thanks for your input kaboom.

[99problemsbutmysquataint1]

the reason why you cant go down any lower is because your knees bend first, you need to sit back and because your knees bend first it throws off your form.... all the above mentioned things can be fixed by sitting back... Get a tight arch! so you dont lean forward

TMUSCLE.com | Squat 900 Pounds

[picabloo]

Originally Posted by 99problemsbutmysquataint1

the reason why you cant go down any lower is because your knees bend first, you need to sit back and because your knees bend first it throws off your form.... all the above mentioned things can be fixed by sitting back... Get a tight arch! so you dont lean forward

TMUSCLE.com | Squat 900 Pounds

Awesome stuff, thanks, that really helped me.

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by picabloo

Harsh, but I guess I deserved it. Thanks for your input kaboom.

It sound kinda harsh didnt it but i didnt mean it to sound like that lol

Hopefully u know what I meant

[pixil]

Do taller guys tend to bend over more to center the weight?

[picabloo]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

It sound kinda harsh didnt it but i didnt mean it to sound like that lol

Hopefully u know what I meant

Haha yeah man no worries

Originally Posted by pixil

Do taller guys tend to bend over more to center the weight?

I don't think so. Short or tall, we'd still be proportional.

[Determined 08]

I read through and I don't know if anyone mentioned it but you seem to straighten your legs to much at the top of the rep. Kinda like as if your leg was straight out and you flexed your quad. When I squat at least I never lock out at the top I always keep a little knee bend it doesn't have to be much just dont lock em out.

That article posted above is a good one. Westside Barbell is infamous around the world so yeah that's enough said about that

[Raab]

I am 6'2'' and I used to bend over too much on the squat.

I actually started concentrating more on my DL's and SLDL's to strengthen my lower back and glutes and from doing that, my squat form increased a lot!

I was actually complimented on my form.

[olywamuscle]

Wanted to thank all of you for all the great input into this subject. I am 6' 8" / 265, and have had question on whether I was doing it right. This has helped a lot.