Squat form for a guy with a long torso and short legs

[nerdyone]

I'm 5'9" with a 28" inseam on my pants. Squatting below parallel for some reason is very difficult for me. I have to lean forward when I get very low and it causes stress on my knees.

What am I doing wrong? It feels like I have to travel a lot lower to break parallel than somebody with "normal" proportions.

[xcardiobunny]

I'm 5'9" with a 28" inseam on my pants. Squatting below parallel for some reason is very difficult for me. I have to lean forward when I get very low and it causes stress on my knees.

What am I doing wrong? It feels like I have to travel a lot lower to break parallel than somebody with "normal" proportions.

Have you tried lowering the weight until you can perfect your form, or does this happen with bodyweight squats too?

[ironwill2008]

I'm 5'9" with a 28" inseam on my pants. Squatting below parallel for some reason is very difficult for me. I have to lean forward when I get very low and it causes stress on my knees.

What am I doing wrong? It feels like I have to travel a lot lower to break parallel than somebody with "normal" proportions.

It's probably a flexibility issue, but can't really comment or advise on your Squat form without seeing you Squat.

Post a couple of vids, one from the side, one from the front or back, of you Squatting your regular working weight.

[nerdyone]

Have you tried lowering the weight until you can perfect your form, or does this happen with bodyweight squats too?

Even at body weight it happens. At 185lbs, it feels like I'm going to fall forward. My knees ache for a week after I do squats.

If I go 3/4 the way down, it doesn't hurt as much in my joints and I feel it more in my legs.

I am in decent shape too and have been working out off and on for a long time. I currently deadlift 275 lbs for 10 reps with perfect form and can bench 225 for 10 reps with good form at a body weight of 190lbs. It's just squats that feel wrong for me.

[ZoranM]

Post a couple of vids, one from the side, one from the front or back, of you Squatting your regular working weight.

This would be a must.

People with your proportions, short limbs and long torso, are 'made' for squatting. So it would be best to see why you are having problems.

[TexAss]

Front squat!

I'm in the same boat (although much taller) and I've found my best form is doing front squats. Low bar back squats are a little better than high bar but forward lean is almost impossible to avoid for me.

Low Box squats w/ a pause on the box helped some as well.

[nerdyone]

I will post a video later this week. Hopefully you guys can tell me what I am doing wrong.