Squat check please (eep!)

lwoodroff

OK first of all I hope these work.. otherwise someone tell me how to fix as I've never tried posting video before!

secondly, these were warm up sets at 30kg but this is actually when I feel I have decent form, so it's probably as well! I'm planning to drop some weight to focus on form as I can't get parallel at 50kg, dropped to 45kg tonight and it was still horrible so will drop to 40 next time (boo!)...

My first time, so be gentle with me! Thank you all..

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/lydiawoodroff/media/VIDEO0023.mp4.html

http://s362.photobucket.com/user/lydiawoodroff/media/VIDEO0022.mp4.html

lwoodroff

oh yeah and for the first time ever there are two girls in the other rack. very funny! I also need to get a t shirt that fits...
and yes I'm a wuss and use the padding

I've tried clicking through and get v dodgy video so it might not be viewable in a meaningful way (or it might be my computer?!)..

*sigh*

ahviendha

I don't think embedded videos work on here. But your link worked fine!

Your form looks good to me, but may I ask why you are using the pad? (you just answered!)

I also bring these sheets with me to the gym http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Lifts to review my form before working out.

I'll link what Rippetoe says about the back pad. He changed my mind :P (my apologies for the loooong copy/paste!)

"If your back hurts excessively while squatting, then chances are good you aren't flexing your upper back muscles sufficiently to "pad" your skeleton. When you grip the bar, you must keep your hands in toward the body as closely as possible while gripping the bar BEFORE you unrack the bar and start squatting.

In other words, get under the bar, bring your hands in as closely as possible along the bar, grip the bar with a thumbless grip, lift your elbows back and up, and step under the weight. By keeping your hands close and your elbows back and up, the muscles of your entire shoulder girdle, as well as your trapezius muscles, will all "bunch/hunch up", which will provide significant padding for the bar. Ensure the bar is kept in the "low bar position" at the lower-rear portion of your traps and rear deltoids, and you should be fine.

The main problem with the pad, in addition to making you look like a wuss, is that it tends to throw the center of gravity off. For an experienced trainee, this won't be a problem, they can compensate (and they probably wouldn't ask to use a pad anyway). For a novice trainee, this can be VERY detrimental to proper technique and balance development inherent in the learning process of the squat. So, all joking aside, the pad might help your upper shoulders "feel better" while squatting, but once you get to heavy weight, that little pad won't do jack squat, except for throw off your technique! If you have a shoulder injury, then the pad won't help at all. Look into using a Buffalo Bar, a Safety Squat Bar, or a Manta Ray."

After reading all that, I realized I wasn't holding the bar correctly. I have no pain at all now, and squat 130.

lwoodroff

pad cos I'm a wuss and it hurts my shoulders if I don't.. maybe I need to woman up and try without again! thanks for the info

lwoodroff

I also bring these sheets with me to the gym http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ:The_Lifts to review my form before working out.

ooh this looks fab, will be checking it out!

Amazing1985RSD

In the second video, your feet look like they are very close together. You might be able to widen your stance a little bit so you can push your knees out of the way better when you squat.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

I think you look great in both videos! You were still going to parallel in the second one, so I think that you are just being hard on yourself! Your movement is nice a fluid and besides that wuss pad :laugh: you look great! As far as your stance, I think if you are comfortable the way you are then continue on. I didn't happen to note your knees getting in the way of anything and certainly isn't affecting your depth at all.

If I had to give one thing....like HAD to.....I would say that you might be able to work on making your hip drive a bit stronger, but that's just me. I love me a strong hip drive :laugh:

Great work and stop being so hard on yourself!

kirabob

I agree with Vegas - great depth and you need to give yourself a break!

RE: The pad - it looks in the first video like you have your thumb wrapped around the bar (hard to tell with the gloves). If you can adjust your grip so that the thumb is over the bar, then pivot your elbows back to make a straight line from your elbow through your wrist to your knuckles, that will squish all your upper back muscles together, making a nifty little cushioned shelf for the bar. You might have to widen your grip a bit at first if your shoulders are tight.

Check this out: http://startingstrength.com/index.php/site/platform_the_squat_bar_position

lwoodroff

Thank you! Yes I wrap my thumb over. I did try the other way but was uncomfortable. Will try the wider grip. Like I said this was at 30kg where I feel form is good, maybe I should start over from here and build back up with form (it really was horrible at 50kg!). Thanks for all your help :-)

linski24

Grrrrr .... I can't see these videos ..!!!
Will try on my iPad x

linski24

Ok ... iPad worked lol
I think you look ace in both ..!!
I was looking to make sure I'm along the right lines too x

auddii

I concur, looking good!

IamOnMywayNow

Looked great to me!! Nice job!