Proper Squat Form

Off-topic talk on music, art, literature, games and forum games.
Post Reply
Cirion Spellbinder
Master of the Forum
Posts: 1008
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:28 pm
Diet: Vegan
Location: Presumably somewhere

Proper Squat Form

Post by Cirion Spellbinder »

I can’t do a squat without flaring my feet out 20-40°. If I try to, either my body feels like it won’t move down any further, or I will lose balance.

My research online hasn’t really been helpful, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
User avatar
PsYcHo
Master of the Forum
Posts: 1166
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:24 pm
Diet: Pescetarian

Re: Proper Squat Form

Post by PsYcHo »

When doing any exercise that requires flexibility, go slowly and listen to your body. (....I've done a bit of yoga, but do go spreading that around.. ;) _

Each time you do one (I'm assuming this is for exercise?) go just slightly past what is comfortable, but not to a point where it is painful. If it feels like you can't move down further, only gently try to push past that point. As far as balance, if you are doing them in an area where falling wouldn't be painful, go ahead and try anyway. It took me many falls to be able to stand on my head, for example, but they were gentle falls on carpet, and once you learn how to balance properly, its akin to riding a bike.

Another possibly helpful tip; in addition to squats, try standing straight, and bringing one knee at a time up as far as you can to your chest. You can also do this lying down if your aren't comfortable doing it standing. Gently stretching your limbs before you start will also help.
Alcohol may have been a factor.

Taxation is theft.
mkm
Full Member
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2017 4:51 am
Diet: Vegan

Re: Proper Squat Form

Post by mkm »

Your proportions of tibia/femur/torso lengths may disallow you to fold properly, i.e. in such a way that the projection of your center of mass lands somewhere in between your feet. Taking wider stance helps, because it makes your femurs "shorter" - knees go sideways and not forward, and they don't push your butt backwards and don't force you to lean forward. Tall guys usually have more problems since the proportion of limbs length to torso length is greater than in short guys (that's main reason why babies squat... well, like babies ;) ).

You may check this out:

http://mysquatmechanics.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av3LO2GwpAk

There are some not unimaginable proportions that actually forbid you to squat to parallel.

A mobility also could be the case. Due to tight hips you may be unable to lean forward enough, low dorsiflexion may disallow knees travel forward enough, etc. I assume you propably do barbel back squats (since they are propably the only squats that cause that sort of problems :D) - if you don't (or don't plan to) compete, consider changing type of squatting. Goblet squats and front squats solve a lot of problems with balancing. Or ditch squats completely, it's overrated "excercise" anyway and you will eventually hurt yourself in the process.
User avatar
NonZeroSum
Master of the Forum
Posts: 1159
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:30 am
Diet: Vegan
Location: North Wales, UK

Re: Proper Squat Form

Post by NonZeroSum »

Cirion Spellbinder wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2018 8:53 pm I can’t do a squat without flaring my feet out 20-40°. If I try to, either my body feels like it won’t move down any further, or I will lose balance.

My research online hasn’t really been helpful, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
Proper squat form :lol:

Image
Unofficial librarian of vegan and socialist movement media.
PhiloVegan Wiki: https://tinyurl.com/y7jc6kh6
Vegan Video Library: https://tinyurl.com/yb3udm8x
Ishkah YouTube: https://youtube.com/Ishkah
Post Reply