Extremely frustrated with form

LolaKarwowski
LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been weight lifting for about 3 weeks now and I still cannot seem to get the form down for some of the exercises that I am doing. Like the squats using the barbell. I keep having to re learn how to do them correctly every time I go and it is very frustrating. Plus, I can only do like 2 correctly and it's upsetting because I want to do so many more. When did you guys get over the "learning proper form" phase?? I know everyone is different, but I'm really discouraged here and I think reading other people's journeys will help.

Replies

  • jediguitarist
    jediguitarist Posts: 73 Member
    This might make you feel better. I started squatting again from just bar weight. After watching Mark Rippetoe squatting videos, I realized I wasn't going as far down as I should have been. For me it was a mobility issue with my ankles.

    After 6 weeks, I'm 'correctly' squatting 70% of what I was doing the past few years. It's a slow process for me, but I want to make sure I won't have issues when I get the weight higher.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    3 weeks? You literally just started. It's fine. Just keep the weight low while you're still figuring it out. I'm still someone of a noob, going on a year of lifting, and while I have decent form-I'm still extremely conscious and aware and always trying to make it better.

    Also, love those Rippetoe form videos.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    3 weeks? You literally just started. It's fine. Just keep the weight low while you're still figuring it out. I'm still someone of a noob, going on a year of lifting, and while I have decent form-I'm still extremely conscious and aware and always trying to make it better.

    Also, love those Rippetoe form videos.

    This. Other than 3 1/2 years of lifting currently and still always working on form. Trying to make it as flawless and smooth as I can.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    3 weeks, wow. It took me at least 2 years to have even a passable squat form. It's still not great. Perfecting technique takes years, decades or possibly even a lifetime. Good lifters are ALWAYS working on their form. Even the most elite, world-record level lifters are always trying to correct issues. It's part of the game, get used to it.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    LolaKarwowski wrote: »
    I have been weight lifting for about 3 weeks now and I still cannot seem to get the form down for some of the exercises that I am doing. Like the squats using the barbell. I keep having to re learn how to do them correctly every time I go and it is very frustrating. Plus, I can only do like 2 correctly and it's upsetting because I want to do so many more. When did you guys get over the "learning proper form" phase?? I know everyone is different, but I'm really discouraged here and I think reading other people's journeys will help.

    Can you do bodyweight squats? If not more than a few, forget the barbell, and focus on form with body weight. Or try a kettlebell or dummbells if bodyweight seems too easy. If this is an olympic bar, it might be too heavy for you are this point.
  • 10inprogress
    10inprogress Posts: 89 Member
    aggelikik wrote: »
    Can you do bodyweight squats? If not more than a few, forget the barbell, and focus on form with body weight. Or try a kettlebell or dummbells if bodyweight seems too easy. If this is an olympic bar, it might be too heavy for you are this point.

    I'm in agreement here. It's SO important that you're keeping your back aligned and pushing through with your heels...ESPECIALLY with added weight. If this isn't being done, you could seriously injure yourself. If it's just minor tweaks that's just part of the improvement process and becoming more acclimated to the weight room. Are you training with someone? How are you going about learning to squat? If you don't have anyone, perhaps invest in a training session with a PT, or create a video of yourself for you to see or show others...or even us. Bottom line, don't feel bad, just work on fixing it. Everyone was a newb before they got good. You'll get there!
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    DopeItUp wrote: »
    3 weeks, wow. It took me at least 2 years to have even a passable squat form. It's still not great. Perfecting technique takes years, decades or possibly even a lifetime. Good lifters are ALWAYS working on their form. Even the most elite, world-record level lifters are always trying to correct issues. It's part of the game, get used to it.

    x1,000,000

    The day you stop caring about it is the day you should stop.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    edited June 2015
    I've only been doing dumbbell squats... um... since November???? And I still fret over every. single. one of them. They're never right.

    I watch form videos constantly. ETA: I do bodyweight squats to work on form too. I also do TRX squats, because they help with some mobility issues I have.

    It will come in time, I figure.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    Thank you all. I had no idea perfecting a form was something I should always be focusing on. Now that I am aware, I feel a lot better! Even if I can only do 2-3 correctly, it's better than doing 8-10 incorrectly. I'll keep that in mind from here on out :smile:
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