Should i give up squats?

[Dafushnizz]

Please check my squat form. Please don't regard the light weight. My legs are week. Low bar back squat.

So I need help. I'm very desperate. I can't squat. Nothing feels natural lately when i squat. My hips feel so uncomfortable when i squat i hate it. I get slight pains in my knee usually and i can never find the sweet spot for feet positioning. Sometimes i even get light hip pain. Also, like a already said, my legs are unnaturally weak. I have done wrestling before so i'm confused how my legs could be so weak. Not even leg press(45 degree), leg extensions or leg curls feel natural. My gym has a leg press that goes straight forward and back but the ROM sucks. Also this is a very big problem for me, when i squat, once i go past a certain point a tendon starts to like click in and out of place (it is not injured). I can't explain it well. There is a tendon on the outside and opposite side of knee. That thing feels like it clicks inward then when i come up it clicks back into spot. I do have flat feet and was told 2 years ago i have immature knees (not sure if they still are). I'm thinking of quitting doing legs and giving up my desire from switching from bodybuilding to powerlifting since my legs suck and i can't deadlift, back squat, front squat, clean,etc. Now that you understand my problem you can see why i am desperate for help. By the way, yes i have watched multiple squat form videos.
-How do I build a strong leg foundation that will give me the power to squat (without squatting ofc).
-How should i warmup my legs properly
-How do i check my leg flexibility and check for muscle imbalances and tightness/weakness
-How do i strengthen my back well (how frequently, rep range, sets, and exercise)
-How do i strengthen my knees like crazy
-How to overall fix my legs



I know this is alot. But thank you in advance to anyone that helps.

[psychodiver9]

Eat more and squat more. You dOnt need knee wraps for a 70 lb squat

[gmanfootballguy]

Find what works for you try in between a lower bar and high bar squat much like the one most raw guys in IPF squat with. And for mobility purposes try doing defrancos agile eight a couple times a day dude, Also ditch the knee wraps there probably causing some of the problems. Warm your body up by doing some dynamic stretching and maybe even some light box jumps to activate your cns just make sure your warm and the blood is flowing. A test i use is if my hands are warm then im good to go. Also dont be a little girl and stop doing squats there probably the most importan exercise out there and do some foam rolling and soft tissue work out side of the gym and GET HEALTHY. Fish oil can be a asset in stoping the knee crackling also. let me know how it goes and if you need anymore help. Good luck OP

[tornmuscle123]

Nein

[Trah275]

tl:dr...if you have to ask then yes...the only way to get better at something is to keep doing it...find your passion or **** off the iron is unforgiving...seriously...try supplementing with it sometime...

[TrettinR]

If at first you don't succeed, quit.

[IngeKJ]

Have you even tried fixing your form? You're despereate, but you haven't watched Squat Rx or SYTYCS?
Elbows in under your body, spread chest, rip bar apart, spread floor, SIT BACK, your knees are shifting forward like crazy, weight on heels and outside of your feet. Looks like someone squatting for the first time. All of your problems are related to technique, not weakness or genetics.

[chicago]

You need volume volume volume. Don't go over 85% or so of your max. Just practice practice practice. For the next year or so Don't think about squatting in terms of getting stronger. Think about squatting in terms of getting better at squatting. You will find your groove after a while and the weight will start to pile on. Remember it's a marathon, not a sprint.

[Jianxxx]

Please check my squat form. Please don't regard the light weight. My legs are week. Low bar back squat.

So I need help. I'm very desperate. I can't squat. Nothing feels natural lately when i squat. My hips feel so uncomfortable when i squat i hate it. I get slight pains in my knee usually and i can never find the sweet spot for feet positioning. Sometimes i even get light hip pain. Also, like a already said, my legs are unnaturally weak. I have done wrestling before so i'm confused how my legs could be so weak. Not even leg press(45 degree), leg extensions or leg curls feel natural. My gym has a leg press that goes straight forward and back but the ROM sucks. Also this is a very big problem for me, when i squat, once i go past a certain point a tendon starts to like click in and out of place (it is not injured). I can't explain it well. There is a tendon on the outside and opposite side of knee. That thing feels like it clicks inward then when i come up it clicks back into spot. I do have flat feet and was told 2 years ago i have immature knees (not sure if they still are). I'm thinking of quitting doing legs and giving up my desire from switching from bodybuilding to powerlifting since my legs suck and i can't deadlift, back squat, front squat, clean,etc. Now that you understand my problem you can see why i am desperate for help. By the way, yes i have watched multiple squat form videos.
-How do I build a strong leg foundation that will give me the power to squat (without squatting ofc).
-How should i warmup my legs properly
-How do i check my leg flexibility and check for muscle imbalances and tightness/weakness
-How do i strengthen my back well (how frequently, rep range, sets, and exercise)
-How do i strengthen my knees like crazy
-How to overall fix my legs



I know this is alot. But thank you in advance to anyone that helps.

why does your leg ''suck''? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSlDvL5P7gc we all start somewhere at one poitn i was squattig 95lb but now i dont even use it ... i go from bar to 135 during warm ups

keep squatting http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/sqbody.png/ gl op.

[cjowns76]

Eat a lot, and keep practicing. No one starts out squatting a lot of weight. Keep working at it.

[tom11]

If at first you don't succeed, quit.

This.

/sarcasm off

[InspecktaDeck]

Been squatting for several days guys, no progress so far. Should I just quit?

[ragnar1199]

Please check my squat form. Please don't regard the light weight. My legs are week. Low bar back squat.

It almost looks like you're just bending your knees and leaning over. Think about pushing your ass back and sitting down in a chair. And pretty much what IngeKJ said. Keep your chest out and shoulder blades pulled back and tight. Push off with your heels. I also noticed you keep looking down when you squat. DON'T DO THAT. Keep your head up. Look forward or up a bit. Looking up may help you stay more upright and not just bend over and may help keep your knees from going too far forward. Don't give up.

[cavemandiary]

Try a narrower stance with a pair of olympic shoes, and watch the magic happen.

[Dafushnizz]

Eat more and squat more. You dOnt need knee wraps for a 70 lb squat

Those aren't wraps. my doctor recommended me to wear them when doing any leg workouts

[Dafushnizz]

Find what works for you try in between a lower bar and high bar squat much like the one most raw guys in IPF squat with. And for mobility purposes try doing defrancos agile eight a couple times a day dude, Also ditch the knee wraps there probably causing some of the problems. Warm your body up by doing some dynamic stretching and maybe even some light box jumps to activate your cns just make sure your warm and the blood is flowing. A test i use is if my hands are warm then im good to go. Also dont be a little girl and stop doing squats there probably the most importan exercise out there and do some foam rolling and soft tissue work out side of the gym and GET HEALTHY. Fish oil can be a asset in stoping the knee crackling also. let me know how it goes and if you need anymore help. Good luck OP

what should i foam roll and what do u mean get healthy. when i said i was going too quit i wasn't serious. i was just really pissed.

[Dafushnizz]

Have you even tried fixing your form? You're despereate, but you haven't watched Squat Rx or SYTYCS?
Elbows in under your body, spread chest, rip bar apart, spread floor, SIT BACK, your knees are shifting forward like crazy, weight on heels and outside of your feet. Looks like someone squatting for the first time. All of your problems are related to technique, not weakness or genetics.

I look all through the internet for "correct form". how do i sit back and not shift my knees forward without lowerbaing my back a ton.

[Dafushnizz]

It almost looks like you're just bending your knees and leaning over. Think about pushing your ass back and sitting down in a chair. And pretty much what IngeKJ said. Keep your chest out and shoulder blades pulled back and tight. Push off with your heels. I also noticed you keep looking down when you squat. DON'T DO THAT. Keep your head up. Look forward or up a bit. Looking up may help you stay more upright and not just bend over and may help keep your knees from going too far forward. Don't give up.

People with squat for videos say if your going low bar keep your head a couple feet ahead, not up...

[Dafushnizz]

Try a narrower stance with a pair of olympic shoes, and watch the magic happen.

I don't have olympic shoes. I use my wrestling shoes. do those work?

[ragnar1199]

People with squat for videos say if your going low bar keep your head a couple feet ahead, not up...

OK, well, in your video, it's obvious that you're looking down. I squat low bar and tend to look up a little bit most of the time. I don't tilt my whole head up a whole bunch, I just look up with my eyes. I would never look down.

Here's me at my first powerlifting meet last year, looking straight ahead. (The lift had one red light and two white lights, so it passed):

[gmanfootballguy]

what should i foam roll and what do u mean get healthy. when i said i was going too quit i wasn't serious. i was just really pissed.

Just foam roll all off you body google is a great friend.

[BigJon55]

I can't get girls to go out with me. Should i just turn gay?

Seriously though, just keep practicing and focusing on your form. It may take a while, but eventually you'll do a squat and know that it was right. You just have to keep trying and wait for things to click.

[zmcdole]

Become a supple leopard. Srs.

[SBHayes]

The immediate thing I see is your elbow position... this seems to be where your form problems start. I'm supposin' that some crossfitter dick told you to push them back to puff your traps and create a platform for the bar.
NO.
Pull your elbows forward--it'll automatically keep your upper back pulled back, keeping your back non-arched and in a more upright position. With your back in a more upright position, it'll shift the weight back, allowing you to sit back into the hole better without pushing your knees forward.

Incorporate box squats, too... even if you just grab a milk crate for them. It helps push home the 'sit back' form, as well as serves as a depth marker.

Lastly, as soon as the form comes to ya, add weight! Grow the muscles and let their memory guide you.


Can't wait to see your improvement vids! -SBH

[turkey_server]

Look at your bar path man. **** is all over the place.

[CheslinK]

Maybe this will help.

Gotta start somewhere man. Doesn't matter what the weight is it will eventually increase. Everyone wants more. Just get your form down and looks like you definitely need to eat more.

[scullin]

If at first you don't succeed, quit.

fukkin kids today

[hammerfelt]

The reason all of those machine lifts do not feel natural is because they are not natural.

StrongLifts http://stronglifts.com/ would be a very good workout for you. It starts with an empty bar on most lifts.

Starting with an empty bar lets you get your form down while the weight is still light.

You need to sit back more, your knees are travelling well beyond your feet. You will probably have to lean even more to keep your balance. The bar should be moving straight up and down, it almost looks like you have a circular motion.

[MichaelCJ]

Yes, you should give up squats. They've been known to make bodies grow balls, after all.

In case that doesn't bother you, have a look at SquatRx on Youtube (do a search there). It's a series of videos that will take you through almost everything you need to know about squats of nearly every kind (but mostly back squats).

[jayshort21]

Buy the book Starting Strength.

There is over a 100 page chapter on how to low bar squat. It helped me a ton. Very in depth and descriptive