can't squat low enough

[IWantIt]

there's a point where my legs will not go any further down and I feel like I can't do a proper squat...probably due to my awful flexibility. Does anyone else have this problem or know how I can fix it?

Thanks

[HairyScandinavian]

My heels start to come up at a certain point, no matter how much (or little) weight I have on the bar. So yeah, sounds like a similar problem. I just try to stretch deeper each time and over a couple months have been able to extend a little deeper but still cannot go parallel. There are probably some stretching exercises that would be good also but I don't know which ones.

[CrisConti]

I think it's worth it for any bodybuilder to educate themselves with a few basic stretching exercises. Increasing flexibility helps to lower your chance of injury on some things... I can't hardly do stiff legged deadlifts because my legs won't stay straight... I just got a book on nothing but stretches and I plan to make a routine similar to my working out routine with them.

[V5RED]

http://www.intens************/26969-a...ighlight=squat

post#15 teaches how to squat properly

[KRaye]

One of my friends actually read an article about how to improve your squat. It's called a third-world squat. It looks simple, but he got everyone at the gym to do it and only one person could actually do it and hold it comfortably. Apparently, he also squats very deep. Practicing these at home would probably help you in the gym, like the article says. It's an article from t-nation.

Here's the link
http://www.t-nation.com/article/body...orld_squat&cr=

[PeteCraig]

try a narrower stance.

[labradarep]

Buy a book called " The Athletic Body In Balance" by Grey Cook.

It will show you everything you need to know and how to diagnose what your specific problem is.

Everyone should read this book!

[airnzah]

http://www.intens************/26969-a...ighlight=squat

post#15 teaches how to squat properly

nice. that's Dante, inventor of Doggcrapp training method

[68Anthony68]

If you're hitting or breaking parralel then your good, man.

[JOHN GARGANI]

My heels start to come up at a certain point, no matter how much (or little) weight I have on the bar. So yeah, sounds like a similar problem

JUST: I use a small board under my heels, one inch only, and that solved not only that problem, but the problem that my ankles, which have been beaten up over the years due to a lot of basketball sprains, would hurt if I did squats flat footed.

there's a point where my legs will not go any further down

this may not necessarily be a choice, it may be indicative of your body and a natural limitation due to your combination of joint and bone connections. The best way to safely overcome this, if it is the case that you actually can go lower, is to do a lot of free standing squats WITHOUT WEIGHTS!!!! that way, you can safely practice and see if you can go lower without causing any injury that could incure if, as I pointed out, you actually do have a natural impediment.

If you're hitting or breaking parralel then your good, man.

this is not necessarily the best of advice: read quote and answer number two above this one.

[JOHN GARGANI]

you see, if possible, with squats, you can achieve the most overall benefits from this fantastic exercise if you can do a full balls to the floor movement.

however, one must always keep in mind, that there really could be a natural impediment to this.


once someone reaches a certain stage in their bodybuilding life, they learn to recognize the difference between a good pain and a bad pain and thus would avoid the latter, however, when you are younger, or newer, you may not have this faculty yet and can do a major injury with squatting which always bears that risk.


that is why I recommend anyone seeking to see if they can safely go lower in their squats to do free standing squats without weights and use high repetitions so that they can acclimate their bodies to the lower position without the risk involved with simultaneously having a lot of weight on your shoulder while you try this.


even without weights, squats should be done in a controlled and measured way: they should not be quick and haphazard.....doing a free standing squat you should act as if there IS a weight upon your shoulder.


BTW: if anyone hasn't done these in a while, try doing about 35 to 50 right now, again, CONTROLLED, and slowly, with proper breathing and then see what your quads feel like when you are done. Not to mention what your BREATHING will be like , when you are done also! breathless, it will be!

[Tyciol]

That sounds like a great way to do squats, if done that way the weight people use wouldn't be so high.

[GoJu]

watch (there's 16 videos of the squat RX series, watch 'em all)



buy (olympic weightlifting shoes):

http://www.vsathletics.com/product.p...d6608e6a534204

[V5RED]

watch (there's 16 videos of the squat RX series, watch 'em all)



buy (olympic weightlifting shoes):

http://www.vsathletics.com/product.p...d6608e6a534204

reps for the video even tho i prefer to squat barefoot