Beginner squat form video

[Texada]

Hi, I'm a beginner and I could use some critique

watch?v=G7zLALufwl8 (never mind the music)

Here's another set from another angle

watch?v=EA1iDdS9tao

I notice my knees spread before going up - I'm not sure how that affects my overall form.

[wannagoheavy]

[tidnab]

You've got quite a bit of movement in your lower back when you squat. Try to actively keep both your abs and lower back tight throughout the squat in order to immobilize the back and also focus on driving your hips through the bar so you aren't wasting power by having your hips come up before the bar does.

[Texada]

Thanks a lot, I did forget about tightening my abs. I'll work on it next workout.

Am I on the right track though? I'm doing low reps and quickly increasing weight, so I'm worried my flawed technique just hasn't caught up to me yet. So far there's only mild back pain/tension.

[Gitt66]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ME8g...BE939BB32B4CAB

Watch this, all 5 videos. They go over everything you need to do head to toe. The thing a lot of people don't think about with squats is even though it's a lower body movement, you still have to tighten and engage your core/upper/lower back. You should have no lower back pain at all if you are squatting correctly.

[Texada]

I'll check them out, thanks!

[PeterGibbons316]

You've got quite a bit of movement in your lower back when you squat. Try to actively keep both your abs and lower back tight throughout the squat in order to immobilize the back and also focus on driving your hips through the bar so you aren't wasting power by having your hips come up before the bar does.

^Listen to this guy, he knows his ****.

To add to that, you have good power coming from your hips, but if you watch your vid you can see your hips moving a lot, without the bar moving with them. Keeping your core tight will help to transfer more of that power from your hips into the bar making the movement more efficient.