Clarification on Squat form
S3r3knitty
Posts: 159 Member
I just started lifting and I would like to clarify something because I'm starting to doubt myself because despite what I read online and in Starting strength the trainers in the gym insist I am doing it wrong and I am starting to doubt myself.
First a bit about myself.I am 5'9" with most of my length in my legs. I have a long femur, high hips combined with a short torso. So, when my stance is shoulder width I have all the problems ascribed to my body type: extreme forward lean because my center of gravity is very far in the back and and even when my torso is parallel to the floor the bar is still not above the middle of my feet. Additionaly I can't squat deep enough because my thighs are in the way.
According to Starting Strength I should attempt a wider stance and and due to my long legs my knees will look over my toes (figure 2-45 for those who have the book). However, the trainers at my gym tell me without exception that my stance need to be shoulder width and that my knees shouldn't in front of my toes. I mean, I know the trainers there are not great because they haven't even heard of low bar placement, they only know of high bar but I am a lifting newbie so I guess I just need to hear that it sounds like I am doing the right thing and theat my knees are allowed to be in front of my toes .
First a bit about myself.I am 5'9" with most of my length in my legs. I have a long femur, high hips combined with a short torso. So, when my stance is shoulder width I have all the problems ascribed to my body type: extreme forward lean because my center of gravity is very far in the back and and even when my torso is parallel to the floor the bar is still not above the middle of my feet. Additionaly I can't squat deep enough because my thighs are in the way.
According to Starting Strength I should attempt a wider stance and and due to my long legs my knees will look over my toes (figure 2-45 for those who have the book). However, the trainers at my gym tell me without exception that my stance need to be shoulder width and that my knees shouldn't in front of my toes. I mean, I know the trainers there are not great because they haven't even heard of low bar placement, they only know of high bar but I am a lifting newbie so I guess I just need to hear that it sounds like I am doing the right thing and theat my knees are allowed to be in front of my toes .
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Replies
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my understanding of starting strength is that the foot position on the book is based on low bar position …so if the trainer does not know what low bar position is then I do not know how they can tell you that you are doing low bar wrong….
It sounds like you are doing it right and I would keep doing what you are doing…now, if a trainer who actually knows what low bar position is says something, then you might want to listen...0 -
I just started lifting and I would like to clarify something because I'm starting to doubt myself because despite what I read online and in Starting strength the trainers in the gym insist I am doing it wrong and I am starting to doubt myself.
First a bit about myself.I am 5'9" with most of my length in my legs. I have a long femur, high hips combined with a short torso. So, when my stance is shoulder width I have all the problems ascribed to my body type: extreme forward lean because my center of gravity is very far in the back and and even when my torso is parallel to the floor the bar is still not above the middle of my feet. Additionaly I can't squat deep enough because my thighs are in the way.
According to Starting Strength I should attempt a wider stance and and due to my long legs my knees will look over my toes (figure 2-45 for those who have the book). However, the trainers at my gym tell me without exception that my stance need to be shoulder width and that my knees shouldn't in front of my toes. I mean, I know the trainers there are not great because they haven't even heard of low bar placement, they only know of high bar but I am a lifting newbie so I guess I just need to hear that it sounds like I am doing the right thing and theat my knees are allowed to be in front of my toes .
Just the fact that your trainers aren't aware of low bar would be somewhat of a concern to me.
We have a form critique thread. Can you film your squat from a side view with a cell phone and post it in the form critique thread?0 -
Yes I was planning to ask someone fo film me next time and then post it here because I know that I do something wrong, I am just not sure what exactlyJust the fact that your trainers aren't aware of low bar would be somewhat of a concern to me.
We have a form critique thread. Can you film your squat from a side view with a cell phone and post it in the form critique thread?
(although I am pretty sure the issue is not my wider stance). 0 -
Not that my opinion means much, but...
1) anytime someone speaks in absolute generalizations (no one should ever _____), that's an immediate red flag for me.
2) Use some common sense when evaluating trainers. Some are great, most are mediocre, some are awful. If what they are telling you doesn't line up whit what you already know, I'd question it.
3) Squat form can vary the most of any of the big lifts based on body make-up (bones, joints, flexibility, etc). Shoot for the ideal, but make it work within your bone structure.
Those are obviously big generalizations... I'm sure the feedback on your filmed squats will be much more meaningful.0
