Squats!

Tess_Christine
Tess_Christine Posts: 87 Member
edited November 23 in Fitness and Exercise
I don't have anyone to look at my form but I do have a mirror.. how to I know if I'm doing squats right? I feel like if I go to far down I just bounce my *kitten* to pop back up... but if I don't go far enough I almost fall back .. am I just foing it completely wrong? :s

Replies

  • GlenzioFitness
    GlenzioFitness Posts: 253 Member
    sexymama229 wrote: »
    I don't have anyone to look at my form but I do have a mirror.. how to I know if I'm doing squats right? I feel like if I go to far down I just bounce my *kitten* to pop back up... but if I don't go far enough I almost fall back .. am I just foing it completely wrong? :s

    Just go as deep as you can
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Google Bret Contreras. He has videos that can help you determine parallel.
  • kristinels
    kristinels Posts: 315 Member
    Feet about shoulder width apart, toes pointed forwards, stick your butt out in back and your chest out in front (hinge at the hips, shoulders back, I even hold my hands up in the air Crossfit style), then just squat like you're going to sit in a chair. Your knees should should not go too far forward - they should not be over your toes. As you're going down and coming back up, try to keep your head up and your back straight so that your pushing up through your heels and not your toes. Don't worry about speed until you're sure you're doing it with good form. Good luck! :)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    It'd be useful if you could video your form and post it on here.

    The small starters for the squats are;
    • Heels below shoulders
    • Feet pointed out at 30 degree angle
    • Move knees outwards so it's like you're trying to put your stomach in between your legs.
    • Keep your back straight and try not to bend your lower back
  • CasperNaegle
    CasperNaegle Posts: 936 Member
    Check out this video on form. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/barbell-squat I try to go a little lower. Also it helps to do some stretches with allow you to squat lower. They have helped me.

    http://www.muscleforlife.com/how-to-improve-flexibility-and-mobility-for-squatting/
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    A lot of your questions can be found here http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10229169/help-with-squats/p1
  • ghoti_fish
    ghoti_fish Posts: 63 Member
    Following so I can find those links later. I am terrible at squatting x
  • mamasmaltz3
    mamasmaltz3 Posts: 1,111 Member
    Squats are so individual it's very hard for someone on a message board to tell you how to do it if they have no idea what your structure is. Are you long waisted with short legs? Short waisted with long legs? Wide hips, narrow hips? Mobility? Those are just a few structure issues that need to be addressed before anyone could come close to answering that question. You can answer those questions for yourself with a little research and doing the movement (body weight) to see what feels best for your body. NO one can tell you that because we don't have x-Ray vision to see inside your hip joint. Also, video yourself from the side and front doing the movement. Looking in a mirror won't work. You also don't want to rely on the mirror, you need to learn to feel what a good squat feels like. Then, it's all about practicing that movement over and over until it happens without thought. Then start loading the weight.
  • kristinels
    kristinels Posts: 315 Member
    edited August 2015
    GuitarJerry wrote: »
    ^^^^ feet NOT forward, but pointed outward about 30 degrees. Track your knees over your toes, meaning knees follow the direction the toes are pointed (slightly outward). But, knees shouldn't go too far over toes. Think about pulling the floor apart with your feet. Very important. Don't let your knees fall inward. Focus on pushing up through your heels. You should be able to lift your toes while squatting. Weight on heels. Push up, using booty and spreading floor with feet. That's how you do a squat. Oh, and most important, that no one talks about, KEEP CORE TIGHT!

    It's a complicated move. But, one of the best.

    Hmmm - I've done squats both ways, with toes forward and toes angled outward. I always thought it depended on the 'type' of squat you're doing? Squats with my legs further apart - like a 'plie' squat or a 'sumo' squat - I do with toes pointed out as you indicated, and squats with my legs hip-width or closer together I've always done with toes forward. Oh - and I was referring to body weight squats only, not with weight. I just assumed the OP referring to a body weight squat - my apologies if I was incorrect!
  • Tess_Christine
    Tess_Christine Posts: 87 Member
    Thank you guys! I didn't know there was different squats... what's best for shedding fat on butt and legs? And toning the *kitten* ;)
  • CasperNaegle
    CasperNaegle Posts: 936 Member
    The lower you go the more you hit the glutes.. The first 80% is the quads then the hamstrings. I agree you always want your toes pointed out and your knees to follow. Shedding fat is mostly down to diet I'm afraid, weightlifting will build you muscles in various parts of your body but won't get rid of fat in specific places. Fat loss is all down to calorie deficit and time.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories