Proper squatting form?

blopmiyers
blopmiyers Posts: 195 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I've just started a training program and I've been having difficulty with my squat stance. At the moment, my feet are a bit over should width and my toes are pointing out. However, for some reason I only feel my right quad when squatting, nothing in my left. I also tend to lose balance at times. I've read and seen so many things saying different things on the stance and I really have no idea at this point.

Replies

  • berolcolour
    berolcolour Posts: 140 Member
    Glad I'm not the only one! I was actually taught to squat like that (slightly wider than shoulder stance, toes slightly pointed) and arms held out front to keep the chest up and it helps with balance. Not sure if that's right or wrong though. I find it works for me for me for unweighted squats but hurts one knee when I hold a kettle bell.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    If you post a video of you squatting, the trainers here will be able to diagnose it. Place the camera at your side at waist height. From the neck down is all we need to see. :+1:
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Have you access to a trainer to work with you on form

    Are you falling forward? Are you going too heavy before your form is sorted

    Check videos of how it should Iook, my favourite is Rippetoes

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhVC_AnZYYM
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,247 Member
    Try holding a medicine ball against your chest and then push it straight out away from you as you go down into a squat position. This helped me work on my form before squatting with a barbell.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    edited July 2016
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    If you post a video of you squatting, the trainers here will be able to diagnose it. Place the camera at your side at waist height. From the neck down is all we need to see. :+1:

    While this is a good idea, a rear-view (or front, I suppose) video would be better, considering OP is describing what sounds like a weight-shift.

    Of course, both would be best.
  • julie_broadhead
    julie_broadhead Posts: 178 Member
    How do you post a video? I tried several times and it would not post. I clicked the camera icon, it allowed me to select the video, but when I went to post it said my post needed a body. The next time I tried to type a body with the video and it still wouldn't post. What was I missing?
  • socalrunner59
    socalrunner59 Posts: 149 Member
    Foot position depends on individual anatomy and hip rotation. I've always squated with a slight foot flare. My son, a powerlifter and trainer, who squats like 500 lbs, doesn't use a neutral foot position either.

    Bret Contreas wrote a good article on creating torque in deadlift and squats. In the post he addresses squat foot position. He, too, says foot position depends on anatomy.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    julie_broadhead wrote: »
    How do you post a video?

    Upload it to Youtube, or Tinypic, etc, then post the link here.:+1:
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I'd actually say a side video and a front or back facing video so we can see your knees.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    If you post a video of the front view and side view we can let you know what's going on.

    I would prefer (if you're squatting without weight) for your arms to be straight out in front of you or over the head so we can see a little better.

    I could give you a little guesstimate as to what's going on, but it's much better if we have a video.
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