Squat tips needed

jerb00
jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
I have been doing the sumo squat as my squat of choice and I have stalled. I decreased the weight and then tried to slowly add weight back in but I can never get beyond 55 lbs. I am 102 ish now, hip thrust 105, dead lift 95. Heck I can even bench press 55 which is nuts for me but I can't squat any heavier. I have to sumo squat cuz back, front, and lunges kill my knees (prolly from ballet dancing). Any tips to help me move forward? I do squat all the way down to the ground.
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Replies

  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    Stop sumo squatting and just squat like normal?

    What program are you doing?
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    I can't squat normal. It hurts my knees.

    I am doing strong lifts 5x5 but doing the sumo squat as my squat.
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    Does the fact that I do a sumo squat necessarily mean that i can't squat as much compared to other squats or is it just me?
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Post a video...
  • macmathuna
    macmathuna Posts: 11 Member
    Video would help. ..
    Without one, just guessing could be knees collapsing in / noit using glutes?
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    jerb00 wrote: »
    Does the fact that I do a sumo squat necessarily mean that i can't squat as much compared to other squats or is it just me?

    Need video.
  • scottrey
    scottrey Posts: 18 Member
    A video would be helpful for a more accurate assessment, but here are some general tips for squatting:
    • Make sure you are keeping your heels planted to the floor throughout the squat motion. People have a tendency to shift their weight to the balls of the feet, which puts more pressure on the front of your thighs.
    • Try to keep your trunk flexed while going down and coming up, particularly your lower abs. It will help your form and allow you to better activate your glutes.
    • consider switching to normal squats and only going down as far as you can maintain proper form. You will build flexibility and strength over time that will allow you to squat low without pain.
  • vinceno21
    vinceno21 Posts: 32 Member
    Post a vid so we can help critique. I definitely recommend watching Silent Mikes instructional vids or Omar Isuf. A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper. Many people squat super low and suffer from "butt wink" which means they roll their lower back out a bit and feel pressure in all of the wrong areas.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    Post a vid so we can help critique. I definitely recommend watching Silent Mikes instructional vids or Omar Isuf. A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper. Many people squat super low and suffer from "butt wink" which means they roll their lower back out a bit and feel pressure in all of the wrong areas.
    I squat well below 90/parallel with no butt wink. What works well will be different for everyone.
    It's also required to break parallel in many Powerlifting federations for a legal squat.
  • vinceno21
    vinceno21 Posts: 32 Member
    edited February 2017
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    Post a vid so we can help critique. I definitely recommend watching Silent Mikes instructional vids or Omar Isuf. A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper. Many people squat super low and suffer from "butt wink" which means they roll their lower back out a bit and feel pressure in all of the wrong areas.
    I squat well below 90/parallel with no butt wink. What works well will be different for everyone.
    It's also required to break parallel in many Powerlifting federations for a legal squat.

    I never said not to go low I just said its a misconception to go as low as possible because most people butt wink and have horrible form. She suffers from pain when she squats so I am giving advice as to how she can fix things. Also, good for you I also go a bit below 90 as well and dont butt wink at all because I made proper adjustments. She also never once mentioned competing in a powerlifting event and is mostly concerned about pain and lifting safely. If you want me to be critical then I would tell you that in your profile pic your lats dont look activated and your head should be down more and not looking up towards the ceiling.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    Post a vid so we can help critique. I definitely recommend watching Silent Mikes instructional vids or Omar Isuf. A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper. Many people squat super low and suffer from "butt wink" which means they roll their lower back out a bit and feel pressure in all of the wrong areas.
    I squat well below 90/parallel with no butt wink. What works well will be different for everyone.
    It's also required to break parallel in many Powerlifting federations for a legal squat.

    I never said not to go low I just said its a misconception to go as low as possible because most people butt wink and have horrible form. She suffers from pain when she squats so I am giving advice as to how she can fix things. Also, good for you I also go a bit below 90 as well and dont butt wink at all because I made proper adjustments. She also never once mentioned competing in a powerlifting event and is mostly concerned about pain and lifting safely. If you want me to be critical then I would tell you that in your profile pic your lats dont look activated and your head should be down more and not looking up towards the ceiling.

    "A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper."
    Not trying to argue or get "critical", the way you phrased that sounded like you were discouraging squatting to parallel and I just wanted to clarify for OP that there's nothing wrong with breaking parallel and many lifters consider it to be proper technique.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to critique my lifting technique based on a photo though.
    If that was meant to discredit my knowledge, boy you got me. I clearly know nothing...
  • vinceno21
    vinceno21 Posts: 32 Member
    edited February 2017
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    vinceno21 wrote: »
    Post a vid so we can help critique. I definitely recommend watching Silent Mikes instructional vids or Omar Isuf. A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper. Many people squat super low and suffer from "butt wink" which means they roll their lower back out a bit and feel pressure in all of the wrong areas.
    I squat well below 90/parallel with no butt wink. What works well will be different for everyone.
    It's also required to break parallel in many Powerlifting federations for a legal squat.

    I never said not to go low I just said its a misconception to go as low as possible because most people butt wink and have horrible form. She suffers from pain when she squats so I am giving advice as to how she can fix things. Also, good for you I also go a bit below 90 as well and dont butt wink at all because I made proper adjustments. She also never once mentioned competing in a powerlifting event and is mostly concerned about pain and lifting safely. If you want me to be critical then I would tell you that in your profile pic your lats dont look activated and your head should be down more and not looking up towards the ceiling.

    "A big misconception is when people think going below 90 degrees is proper."
    Not trying to argue or get "critical", the way you phrased that sounded like you were discouraging squatting to parallel and I just wanted to clarify for OP that there's nothing wrong with breaking parallel and many lifters consider it to be proper technique.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to critique my lifting technique based on a photo though.
    If that was meant to discredit my knowledge, boy you got me. I clearly know nothing...

    Definitely would never discourage squatting to low depths I just know how common it is for people to roll their lower back and let their knees collapse. Take what I said out of context because there is no need for me to correct what I said. The point is "a s s to grass" is a joke when you don't have the basics down. I know you're aware of proper form its just a bit annoying when you try and critique what I say when i'm offering advice.
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    Thank you all so much for your tips and comments. As much as I don't want to, I think I'll try to post a video for critique. Try this weekend...
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    edited February 2017
    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    Maybe I do. I mean, I am pretty flexible from dance and yoga but maybe it isn't the way inbred to be for proper squat form. I watched the video and I feel like my body moves similarly, but I'll post a video so I can get an objective opinion.
  • JB035
    JB035 Posts: 336 Member
    edited February 2017
    When you start the decend on your squat what bends first? Hips or knees?
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    Hips
  • JB035
    JB035 Posts: 336 Member
    jerb00 what did you figure out?
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    Well, I figured out that using the dumbells as a kettle bell squat was really taking a toll on mex. as was the strong lifts program in general. I switched to a wider stance back squat and a full body wendler program and I am doing much better. Thanks for asking. Now...what to do when I can no longer lift the barbell over my head for the back squat...I work out at home and unless the hubs is working out with me, in a few months I am afraid I'll not be able to lift the bar over my head...
  • subcounter
    subcounter Posts: 2,382 Member
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    subcounter wrote: »
    jerb00 wrote: »
    I have been doing the sumo squat as my squat of choice and I have stalled. I decreased the weight and then tried to slowly add weight back in but I can never get beyond 55 lbs. I am 102 ish now, hip thrust 105, dead lift 95. Heck I can even bench press 55 which is nuts for me but I can't squat any heavier. I have to sumo squat cuz back, front, and lunges kill my knees (prolly from ballet dancing). Any tips to help me move forward? I do squat all the way down to the ground.

    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    In recent months, AlanThrall has been coached by Dr. Austin Burocki who is under Mark Rippetoe. Alan now advocates and practices breaking at hips and knees simultaneously on low bar squats as well as looking only a few feet in front of the feet. I would strongly suggest disregarding the above video and view this one for correct form...

    https://youtu.be/bbNA17KjBzU

    Thanks for the update, gotta watch them nipple angles.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    subcounter wrote: »
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    subcounter wrote: »
    jerb00 wrote: »
    I have been doing the sumo squat as my squat of choice and I have stalled. I decreased the weight and then tried to slowly add weight back in but I can never get beyond 55 lbs. I am 102 ish now, hip thrust 105, dead lift 95. Heck I can even bench press 55 which is nuts for me but I can't squat any heavier. I have to sumo squat cuz back, front, and lunges kill my knees (prolly from ballet dancing). Any tips to help me move forward? I do squat all the way down to the ground.

    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    In recent months, AlanThrall has been coached by Dr. Austin Burocki who is under Mark Rippetoe. Alan now advocates and practices breaking at hips and knees simultaneously on low bar squats as well as looking only a few feet in front of the feet. I would strongly suggest disregarding the above video and view this one for correct form...

    https://youtu.be/bbNA17KjBzU

    Thanks for the update, gotta watch them nipple angles.

    What I took from the image: laser eyes and arrowhead nipples make for mutant level squats. We must breed Scott Summers with Dakota Rae. All of the world records shall be broken.
  • blackcomaro
    blackcomaro Posts: 796 Member
    Squats but off topic.. has anyone seen the youtube vid of the guy doing heavy squats no hands while like pumping bicep curls and *kitten*?
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    Squats but off topic.. has anyone seen the youtube vid of the guy doing heavy squats no hands while like pumping bicep curls and *kitten*?

    That sounds like something Bradley Martyn would do.
  • blackcomaro
    blackcomaro Posts: 796 Member
    Yeah... thats the guy.
  • jerb00
    jerb00 Posts: 155 Member
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    subcounter wrote: »
    jerb00 wrote: »
    I have been doing the sumo squat as my squat of choice and I have stalled. I decreased the weight and then tried to slowly add weight back in but I can never get beyond 55 lbs. I am 102 ish now, hip thrust 105, dead lift 95. Heck I can even bench press 55 which is nuts for me but I can't squat any heavier. I have to sumo squat cuz back, front, and lunges kill my knees (prolly from ballet dancing). Any tips to help me move forward? I do squat all the way down to the ground.

    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    Just watched the second video yesterday and practiced without much weight then tried it for real today. Really made a difference. I felt better and like I had more power when I stood back up. Thanks!!
  • Gimsteinn
    Gimsteinn Posts: 7,678 Member
    jerb00 wrote: »
    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    Maybe I do. I mean, I am pretty flexible from dance and yoga but maybe it isn't the way inbred to be for proper squat form. I watched the video and I feel like my body moves similarly, but I'll post a video so I can get an objective opinion.

    Yeah I'm also very flexible from pole dancing and yoga but wile dancing we point or toes right? We don't usually stretch the ankles in the way we need them to stretch when doing proper squats.. so many of us tend to have to work on that flexibility.
    at least I have to and many of my pole fitness/yoga friends have had the same problem.
    Ask a trainer to take a look at your form, I had to ask a trainer to look at mine and we saw that it was the ankle mobility that was keeping me from doing a proper squat... and that trainer has been training me for 3 months now and was surprised I had a butt wink cause he knew I was flexible. I just didn't bend that way.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    subcounter wrote: »
    Chieflrg wrote: »
    subcounter wrote: »
    jerb00 wrote: »
    I have been doing the sumo squat as my squat of choice and I have stalled. I decreased the weight and then tried to slowly add weight back in but I can never get beyond 55 lbs. I am 102 ish now, hip thrust 105, dead lift 95. Heck I can even bench press 55 which is nuts for me but I can't squat any heavier. I have to sumo squat cuz back, front, and lunges kill my knees (prolly from ballet dancing). Any tips to help me move forward? I do squat all the way down to the ground.

    Sounds like you have mobility issues. Could be the hips, or ankles. I would do stretching on every session. As for what are you specifically doing wrong? Make sure to add a video link so we can have any idea.
    As for tips on the squat technique, you could watch this:


    In recent months, AlanThrall has been coached by Dr. Austin Burocki who is under Mark Rippetoe. Alan now advocates and practices breaking at hips and knees simultaneously on low bar squats as well as looking only a few feet in front of the feet. I would strongly suggest disregarding the above video and view this one for correct form...

    https://youtu.be/bbNA17KjBzU

    Thanks for the update, gotta watch them nipple angles.
    jerb00 wrote: »
    Just watched the second video yesterday and practiced without much weight then tried it for real today. Really made a difference. I felt better and like I had more power when I stood back up. Thanks!!
    You bet.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    Squats but off topic.. has anyone seen the youtube vid of the guy doing heavy squats no hands while like pumping bicep curls and *kitten*?

    That sounds like something Bradley Martyn would do.

    Bradley Matyn is an imbecile. If you want to see crazy gym stuff then check out Tom Finn (Huckfinnbarbell). Latest videos include, stilt deadlifts, rollerblade squats and many more.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    Squats but off topic.. has anyone seen the youtube vid of the guy doing heavy squats no hands while like pumping bicep curls and *kitten*?

    That sounds like something Bradley Martyn would do.

    Bradley Matyn is an imbecile. If you want to see crazy gym stuff then check out Tom Finn (Huckfinnbarbell). Latest videos include, stilt deadlifts, rollerblade squats and many more.

    Just talked to Finn on Saturday. I use to play beerleagur ball with him. Yah he is crazy fun.
This discussion has been closed.