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3 Quick fixes for Bad Squat Form

guss

guss

MuscleHead
Aug 11, 2010
380
189
When a lifter is first learning correct squat form, there is often some confusion as to the many nuances of the movement relative to the different weaknesses the lifter brings to the table. Most lifters have limited hip flexibility, improper bar position, quad to hip strength imbalance, and whole host of other things that can make learning the squat more complicated than it needs to be. Here are three cues that cover the primary mistakes made with the squat that will fix 90% of a beginners form issues.

1.Squeeze the bar. Most lifters new to the sport have no clue what “tightness” is. Gym rats with some bodybuilding experience are always in for a rude awakening the first time they try to do any powerlifting movement because as soon as the weight gets heavy they fall apart. The best way to illustrate tightness is to clench your fists as hard as you can for a 5 count. Do you notice how your whole body immediately tightens up. This is the same thing we want to happen on the squat. Before you get your air and step out of the rack, squeeze the hell out of the bar and don’t stop squeezing until you re-rack the weight. This simple solution works on all the lifts, but is a great way to get a new squatter to understand how to get tight and optimize proper squat form.

2.Arch your upper back. A problem many lifters face is collapsing near the bottom of the lift, meaning that their chest will fall, there hips will rise, and they will be forced to do a good morning to get the weight back up. The simple fix is to squeeze your upper back together as hard as possible. You will notice that this creates an arch in the lower back as well as making the chest come up and forward. Similar to the proper starting position in the bench press. Focusing on keeping your upper back locked together as you descend will keep your chest and head up at the bottom. You can then use your hip and leg strength to drive out of the hole and not your lower back.

3.Sit back / ass down. Most lifters’ idea of squatting is some type of horrible bodybuilding hybrid move where the bar is high on their back, they only go down halfway ( to keep tension on the muscles), they push off their toes, and their ass is a mile high. Basically the complete opposite of proper form , and it’s usually REALLY painful to watch. I’ve seen guys do three and 4 plates this way and was just cringing the whole time. The easiest way to teach the concept of sitting back is to position the lifter facing a wall, with their toes 1inch away from the wall. Now squat down to parallel without you knees touching the wall. Most guys either have their knees hit the wall after 3 inches down or just fall over backward. To do this simple move correctly you must first push the glutes backward while you start your descent, then open up your hips and push your knees outward, all while keeping your back arched and your chest up. It usually takes a couple of sessions for them to get it right, but it’s the easiest way to learn proper squat form in terms of body positioning. We don’t even let new guys train with a bar on the squat until they can do this.
 
PozzSka

PozzSka

Senior Member
Sep 15, 2010
189
0
Good advice here. These are definitely important and fixing my upper back strength was an issue for me a while back, so this in my subjective experience is true.
 
B

BIGBX1

Member
Sep 13, 2010
25
0
Only been squating for the past 6 months due to scared and never learning the proper form. Now it's one of my first moves on leg day I will master this movement the get the form close to perfect then comes the weight. Same with the deadlift hurt my back being stupid going cold heavy without belt. Lesson learned out for a month but this movement I will also master.
I will use the above info and share with others, I'm gonna grip the chrome off the bar next time.
 
Last edited:
Growinboy

Growinboy

MuscleHead
Sep 25, 2010
502
44
^^^Youll never regret it bro! Get after it...
 
Mindlesswork

Mindlesswork

Crusty Poo Butt
Sep 21, 2010
1,395
33
I got a bad back and I find it hard to squat properly...I'll try these tips too
 
MAYO

MAYO

Bad Mother
Sep 27, 2010
2,159
675
Thats how I learned to squat...up against a wall.
 
W1LL

W1LL

Member
Oct 5, 2010
27
3
a nice pair of lifting shoes helps immensely
adidas-adistar-weightlifting.jpg
 
Hammer

Hammer

New Member
Oct 14, 2010
3
0
Great post. I also found that starting out with my toes on a plate helped me keep from wanting to lean forward.
 
R

rbtrout

New Member
Oct 21, 2010
8
0
One other point I always think of - don't look up or look down, but look at a spot about 15 feet in front of you (slightly down).
 
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