2 questions

PitBullMom_Liz

1. When I hit the bottom of the squat, I get soreness (not a twinge, not pain, just a discomfort) in the front of my legs, right up where my thighs meet my hips, at the crease of the thigh/hip. Does that make sense? Is that a hip flexor? It's an awkward position to try to stretch out. It's not hindering my squat, and I don't feel it at any other time.
2. Tonight I couldn't do the 5x5 of my set weight on bench press. I did 2x5 of 65lbs, and then dropped to 60lbs for 3x5. Was that the right thing to do, or should I have tried for like 3x1 or 3x2 to finish at my original 65lbs?

girlie100

If its hip crease around the groin then its possibly an adductor, what are you doing to warm up?

Can you get to parallel or below in a BW squat? For hip mobility stretching try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBHzXF-mVjY

for the bench, what was the weight you last finished 5x5 are u adding 5lbs each time you move up? You might want to get some fractionals to start adding weight each time?
Its been a little while since I did SL but I believe the program is if you fail a set rest 5 mins and try again, try to get as many reps in each set you can and then stay at that weight and try again next time after 3 sessions of fails you deload 10%

bumblebums

Can you post another video of your squat? Your first issue could be a form problem known as the knee slide. Google "TUBOW" or re-read the chapter on squats in Starting Strength.

PitBullMom_Liz

Thank you both. I actually used my google-fu (was too tired last night) and the picture of where the hip flexors are is exactly where I feel it. So I found some yoga poses that can stretch them out nicely. Doesn't help that I sit at a desk all day, too. I'll get another vid when I do them Wednesday. I'm not hitting parallel every single time yet, but more often than not. Although I find it harder to parallel with just body weight. The best squat I've done yet was during a warm up while holding a 25lb plate to my chest. It was a thing of beauty.

For warm up for squats, I do five body weight squats, five holding the 25lb plate, and five with the oly bar.

I may have to try the TUBOW. Would be entertaining at the very least, and educational/informative at the best.

For the bench, last time I did 60 lbs 5x5 successfully. Last night I was able to do 65 lbs 2x5, and then had to drop it or I was going to end up having to ditch the weights to the side. Fractionals would be a good idea. The 60 lbs felt really light, but the 65 was way too much. It's really crazy how big of a difference five pounds can make.

Thank you both!