My squats are seriously lacking

billyhead

Folks,

The amount of weights I am able to Squat at the moment is a joke and I was just wondering are there any other exercises that would be comparable to the benefits of squatting because I am pretty embarressed when I squat in the gym. I am 6ft 1 inch and 11.5 stone. I can only sqaut however plates that are 25KGs on each side of the barbell for 10 reps. I know you will say build it up gradually. My goal is to bulk up another 1/2 a stone in weight.

kevpants

Do you squat with a 25kg plate on each side of the barbell? That's how I read it.

If so that's a Bodyweight squat for 10 reps. Why are you embarrassed by that?

accensi0n

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,

The amount of weights I am able to Squat at the moment is a joke and I was just wondering are there any other exercises that would be comparable to the benefits of squatting because I am pretty embarressed when I squat in the gym. I am 6ft 1 inch and 11.5 stone. I can only sqaut however plates that are 25KGs on each side of the barbell for 10 reps. I know you will say build it up gradually. My goal is to bulk up another 1/2 a stone in weight.

What weight is the bar?

How many sets of 10 reps do you do?

If the total weight is 70kgs then multiple sets of 10 reps doesn't sound that bad to me...

billyhead

I am not sure of the bar weight. Its a Smith Machine I use. I do 3 sets excluding a warmup of 15Kgs on both sides for 12 reps. I just thought that 25KG plates on both sides was a little embarrassing. Maybe its my ego when I see all the big guys working out in the gym. At least I am seeing progress in terms of weigt gain. I was 10.5 stone last September due to a loads of endurance triaining and racing i.e running, cycling and swimming (triathlon training/racing). And the fact that I moved out of my parents house to get my own and could not rely on the big dinners served up by the mother when I got home from training and work did not help.

BossArky

The fact that you squat at all puts you ahead of the average gym goer.

staf9

you shouldn't be embarrassed by what your lifting in the gym. lift a weight that you can do proper reps with and you will get more benefit. struggling to quickly jump up weights because you think you need to due to what others are lifting is a massive mistake, you will only do yourself damage. Reps with good form are of far more benefit to you

kevpants

Is there a regular squat rack in the gym as opposed to a smith machine? You'll really notice the difference if you squat correctly, you're at a big risk of injury if you continue using the smith machine. Be warned you'll need to seriously drop the weight back but don't be embarrased. No one whose opinion matters will think less of you for squatting a small amount correctly.

billyhead

Thanks Kev Pants. No the gym I am a member of does nto have a power rack that I could do them with, so i use the Smith machine. It does have free weight barbells (they are all a fixed weight however). I will start using them instead at a lower weight i.e 20Kgs on each side.

cmyk

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,

The amount of weights I am able to Squat at the moment is a joke and I was just wondering are there any other exercises that would be comparable to the benefits of squatting because I am pretty embarressed when I squat in the gym. I am 6ft 1 inch and 11.5 stone. I can only sqaut however plates that are 25KGs on each side of the barbell for 10 reps. I know you will say build it up gradually. My goal is to bulk up another 1/2 a stone in weight.

I wouldn't worry about that weight to be honest, Im about a stone heavier than you and am not squatting a huge amount more, but as stated before if possible try and use a squat rack. I went back to basics on the squat too, better lower weight with good form as with all weightlifting. Take a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yha2XAc2qu8&feature=PlayList&p=633BE85B4ACDAF70&playnext=1&index=1

As BossArky said, the fact that you're doing squats in the first place is a good start, my gym is usually packed on a mon/wed evening but never at the squat racks!:D

davyjose

Keep Squatting.

Don't use a Smith Machine. You can do them on a SM without injury, if you know how. But you probably don't and even then, you may as well just use a leg press machine anyway. For the average squatter, it's got nothing to do with leg power. When I started squatting I could leg press 180kg x 8 easily but could barely squat 70kg. It's hard for a reason.

yomchi

Just to echo what others have said, drop the smith machine if possible. I'd go as far as saying join a gym with a proper squat rack. 50kg's plus the bar, which I think is 17kg on a SM isn't a weight to sneeze at!
I'm only back squating since I done my knee and shoulder in, I'm squatting 70kg, including the bar! It doesn't bother me mate, I know my form is better than most if not all in my gym at the time I'm there. I know I'll be back up to 100 + soon, so be patient and keep good form in mind and by jaysis - keep squatting!

Magic Eight Ball

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,

The amount of weights I am able to Squat at the moment is a joke and I was just wondering are there any other exercises that would be comparable to the benefits of squatting because I am pretty embarressed when I squat in the gym. I am 6ft 1 inch and 11.5 stone. I can only sqaut however plates that are 25KGs on each side of the barbell for 10 reps. I know you will say build it up gradually. My goal is to bulk up another 1/2 a stone in weight.

I’m squatting 75kgs, (3 sets of 10-12) at the moment; I’m the same weight as you and around 5’10.
Are you telling me my squatting is a joke?? I could squat heavier then that but it would be with a curved back and poor technique.

To be honest man, I wouldn’t give a flying **** what other people think of the weight I’m lifting. Now if I was happening to be lifting with seriously bad technique I would hope someone would point that out.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve even noticed or paid attention to the weight people around me have been lifting, I’m to busy concentrating on my own lifts.

Personally I only notice people lifting with terrible technique, not the amount they happen to be lifting.

yomchi

What timing!!

This morning there was a lad squatting (trying to) his form was piss poor and he had close too 100kg's on the bar. He spent more time walking around and looking at himself in the mirror during the whole hour, anyway - he was squatting away not even getting parallel, the weight was clearly too heavy, on his last set he went face first towards the mirror - only the rack save his ugly mush.

Moral of the story, leave your ego in the locker and squat right not heavy!

Poor guy.

Pro-Nutrition

billyhead wrote: »

Folks,

The amount of weights I am able to Squat at the moment is a joke and I was just wondering are there any other exercises that would be comparable to the benefits of squatting because I am pretty embarressed when I squat in the gym. I am 6ft 1 inch and 11.5 stone. I can only sqaut however plates that are 25KGs on each side of the barbell for 10 reps. I know you will say build it up gradually. My goal is to bulk up another 1/2 a stone in weight.

I dont see that as a joke mate. Squating and any excercise is all about the way your lifting and not the weight. 25kgs either side and the bar is 70kg for 10 reps is pretty good for your weight. I am 6 foot 1 and 17.5stone and I would rather squat 75kg for 10 properly than 200kg for 4-6 with bad form. I am the same with all my lifts, I focus on the movement rather than the weight, not saying that I dont lift heavy:D but if I feel that the weight I am about to lift is too heavy I will drop back and focus on the movement.

So basicly if you feel that squatting the 70kg is working for you stick with it and over time gentle increase the weight. Never sacrifice your form

dioltas

+1 on ditching the smith machine if possibe.

Also, I think most people on here would have much more respect for someone lifting light with good form than some eejit lifting massive weights with poor form, and potentially injuring themselves. An big ego in the gym can get you injured fairly quickly.

Wouldn't call 70 kg a joke tbh either.

EoinSully

I started off lifting about 10 years ago. I remember the squat as being the hardest off all the lifts. The first time I tried it, I managed 3 sets with 30Kg for 12 reps and the back of my legs ached for days afterwards. It takes a few months to become accustomed to the form necessary to squat, after that you can start adding weight. After a period of about two months I found I was able add 10 Kgs to the bar every workout. In this two month period after first starting with 30kgs, I was probably squating 45kgs. Six months after starting I was squating 120kgs with proper form.

Point is, squating is all about from. Weightlifting is all about diet. It's the key thing to making gains in strength and size and the most overlooked component of any program. Beginners often dedicate more time to buying magazines, supplements, the latest gimmicks and planning a routine etc than sitting down and figuring out a daily/weekly scheduel for how much they are going to eat. A protein shake here and there when you remember it won't cut it.

When I train I do so at home. The most I have ever squated is 230 Kgs for 20 reps. I made a safety squat bar after seeing them on the net, which weren't readily available in Ireland years back. Now I use half that weight to save my knees and back and do the Bulgarian Squat. This is done by stepping onto a box. It stresses one leg at a time and you use less weight as previously stated. It also forces you to stabilse yourself in the lift. You can also use the safety bars in a power rack set really low. I found this great when I was starting out and I often use it when I hit a sticking point, ie I'm stuck on a weight for a few weeks. You start off in the fully squated (lower) position with the bar on your back and resting on the safety bars. You then press the bar up into the parallel position, pause and return. You don't need much weight to stress the quads and it gives you a hell of a work out. You can also try the Leg Press Machine as an alternative. If you require any advice on training or diet feel free to drop me a line Best of luck and stick with it

Hanley

I think you're confusing Bulgarian Squats with Step Ups?

That's some big squatting tho... how heavy are ya, and how deep were ya sinking them in??

EoinSully

Lol.....certainly not confused about Bulgarian Squats............maybe you know them as Bulgarian Split Squats. Steps Ups may be the American name they go by. There is alot of confusion and misinformation on this topic. They were developed by Eastern bloc athletes. The height of the box determines where the stress is placed, quad or hamstring. Im 6 3 and 97kgs. I have had a layoff period from training for the past 9 months, sparodic at best. I hope to commence training again in mid February. Heaviest I think about 108kgs.

corribdude

Hanley wrote: »

I think you're confusing Bulgarian Squats with Step Ups?

That's some big squatting tho... how heavy are ya, and how deep were ya sinking them in??

Never mind that, how much does he bicep curl?

DM-BM

I thought that Bulgarian split squats were like a one leg squat, with your other leg behind you resting on a bench.

Or do I have things arse ways?

Al_Fernz

DM-BM wrote: »

I thought that Bulgarian split squats were like a one leg squat, with your other leg behind you resting on a bench.

Or do I have things arse ways?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZlodHgCipk

EoinSully

No, you don't have things arse ways, but the guy on YouTube does. Examine this exercise without ever putting a name on it and ask yourself if it reminds you of any other exercise? It's a modified lunge. . . nothing more, not a Bulgarian Split Squat. A bulgarian squat is performed by stepping onto a box between 18 and 30 inches in height. Its far more difficult that the 'step up' thats performed in circuit training routines with a 6 inch step. I know I have a great article somewhere on this (printed), I'll try and fish it out.

EoinSully

The confusion on the name is as basic as people calling a ball point pen a biro. I have included the link below. Scan down through the article and you will see that they call the Standard Step Up as the exercise I am referring to and they correctly term what others call the Bulgarian Split Squat the Bulgarian Squat. Who cares what they are called!
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_repair/singleleg_supplements

kevpants

EoinSully wrote: »

When I train I do so at home. The most I have ever squated is 230 Kgs for 20 reps.

Woooahhhh woh woh woh.

Where is home? Krypton!?

Need some proof or some background to this. This is world class squatting.

Roper

The vid is a bench supported single leg squat. Don't give the Bulgars any more credit. Them and the Mesopotamians do my head in with their strengthspertise.

Eoin, this is the internet, people make wild claims about how much they squat, how many women they've slept with etc. etc. So in t'internet land it's videos or it never happened. 230kgs, 20 reps is, as kev said, world class standard. A single 230 would be really good.

EoinSully

kevpants wrote: »

Woooahhhh woh woh woh.

Where is home? Krypton!?

Need some proof or some background to this. This is world class squatting.

If you think this is 'world class' you haven't seen much squatting . . . check out these link below for real 'world class' squatting. There are people who bench press more than twice what I can squat . . . Look at the amount of time and energy people devote to bench pressing. The leg muscles are far bigger and more powerful than those in the chest and arms, yet people today would hardly bat an eye if you told them you could bench this. Check out hundreds of videos on YouTube about bench pressing if you think I'm lying. You get out of any program what you put into it. I like the squat and the deadlift. Bench I don't, plus I'm not that good at it. Rugby players squat this for breakfast . . . this by the way is my absolute genetic limit, plus if you read what I originally posted I started weightlifting nearly 10 years ago . . .

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=vqPD-EwVmDY

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=p6nCDY0Y--g&feature=PlayList&p=27E7245E6AADFBB4&playnext=1&index=31

405 x 10 bench. I'm sure you can find similiar videos like this

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=-fzZTWNTRFg

gnolan

EoinSully wrote: »

405 x 10 bench.

lbs??? Maybe, i honestly don't know,

Hanley

EoinSully wrote: »

If you think this is 'world class' you haven't seen much squatting . . . check out these link below for real 'world class' squatting. There are people who bench press more than twice what I can squat . . . Look at the amount of time and energy people devote to bench pressing. The leg muscles are far bigger and more powerful than those in the chest and arms, yet people today would hardly bat an eye if you told them you could bench this. Check out hundreds of videos on YouTube about bench pressing if you think I'm lying. You get out of any program what you put into it. I like the squat and the deadlift. Bench I don't, plus I'm not that good at it. Rugby players squat this for breakfast . . . this by the way is my absolute genetic limit, plus if you read what I originally posted I started weightlifting nearly 10 years ago . . .

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=vqPD-EwVmDY

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=p6nCDY0Y--g&feature=PlayList&p=27E7245E6AADFBB4&playnext=1&index=31

405 x 10 bench. I'm sure you can find similiar videos like this

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=-fzZTWNTRFg

I've seen plenty of world class squatting. Trust me on that.

On the links you posted;

Donnie's was done in 4 thick layers of poly and canvas. And it was a mile high.

Big Dru squatted 510lb/231kg x23, and they were all high too.

Tom Platz only did 500lb/227.5kg x23, less weight than you're claiming you've done.

So, for the record, are you claiming that you squatted the same as Dru Patrick and more than Tom Platz for 20 reps (you did say 230kg which is > 500lb)?

There's only 2-3 people in the world who've benched 460kg. And they were all wearing multi ply shirts.

The bench vid you posted was 3 board press and not all that impressive. I train with several guys who'd do it as a warm up.

You're either the strongest guy to ever come out of Ireland, or you're full of sh1t.

EoinSully

Roper wrote: »

The vid is a bench supported single leg squat. Don't give the Bulgars any more credit. Them and the Mesopotamians do my head in with their strengthspertise.

Eoin, this is the internet, people make wild claims about how much they squat, how many women they've slept with etc. etc. So in t'internet land it's videos or it never happened. 230kgs, 20 reps is, as kev said, world class standard. A single 230 would be really good.

Thanks for pointing out that this is the internet, I'd never have guessed . . . I'm not here to make claims or boasts, only provide some moral support and training advice to people like the user who posted the original tread on his squat lacking. My point was that I started out at 30kg and built up slowly. If I wanted to massage my ego or any or part of myself for that matter I wouldn't be doing so here. I said that's the most I'ev ever squatted, not what I am squatting at the moment, as I don't train at the moment, as I have previously stated. I'd be only glad to oblige with a video when I get back training. . . and I'ev only ever claimed to have slept with 500 women . . . If I regarded this as a place to show how 'brilliant' and 'great' I was I'd have posted videos of myself years ago prancing around asking people to pat me on the back to boost myself esteem and make up for my psychological inadequatecies. I'm not bothered if you believe me or not. I have always trained for myself and offered advice to anyone who wants it (or not) for free.

Hanley

gnolan wrote: »

lbs??? Maybe, i honestly don't know,

Yup. 405lb/2.204 = 183.75KG

From the sounds of things, EoinSully's getting kg confused with lb.

gnolan

EoinSully wrote: »

I'm not bothered if you believe me or not. I have always trained for myself and offered advice to anyone who wants it (or not) for free.

The problem with that is though, if people don't believe you they're not going to take advice from you, or at least they're less likely to.

cardio,shoot me

i leg press 250kg for 15 reps but i can only squat 60kg for 8 reps squats are way harder indeed

Pro-Nutrition

cardio,shoot me wrote: »

i leg press 250kg for 15 reps but i can only squat 60kg for 8 reps squats are way harder indeed

I hear ya man. I am strong on legpress, my best has been 500kg for 6-8 and when it comes to squat I would be really struggling. But thats the way it goes. I blame it on my height

cardio,shoot me

500kilos, nice , i hope to get to that one day, im only 15 atm but ive started to see improvements, i also blame my height on squat, seems like im the only one struggling to get below parallel im 6ft3 and inflexible as hell, havent touched my toes since i last fell of my bike

BobbyOLeary

So you're using an inferior exercise instead of taking time to become flexible enough to squat? A few workouts with some light enough weights will stretch you out enough to go below parallel. Get off that leg press and get squatting.

cardio,shoot me

BobbyOLeary wrote: »

So you're using an inferior exercise instead of taking time to become flexible enough to squat? A few workouts with some light enough weights will stretch you out enough to go below parallel. Get off that leg press and get squatting.

where do u get that idea, i do both with equal intensity, just cause i said i struggle at squatting doesnt mean i take it easier, i go below parallell, i throw plates under my heals to make sure i do, im not boasting or anything but my form is perfect, and i would never call leg press an inferior exercise, there both brilliant, i do squats twice a week and leg press twice a week for about 8 sets on each

BobbyOLeary

and i would never call leg press an inferior exercise

Oh? Please explain how a leg press is not inferior to a barbell squat. Where does it match or exceed the squat in any way?

And the fact that you can use bigger weights is not a valid answer.

danburke

A routine that I have found works well for me is to squat 30% of my max squat so 40kg (max single lift is 120kg) for as long as i can keep my form, so about 4 minutes, then over to the leg press and do 3 x 10 by 85kg, then 3 x 8 (hamstring machine) 65kg and then 3 x 10 70 kg calf extensions with the squat bar..

The idea is to focus on technique and build up the time to 8 1/2 minutes squatting before you move up in weight on the bar...

In the two months I've been doing it my time has gone from 1m to 4m squatting and leg press from 55kg to 85kg and so on...

A good tip for form that my chiropractor gave me is to stand facing a wall with you face and toes as close and possible and to concentrate on bending only from your hip..

I'm in no way an expert or anything but i like this workout

p.s. I'm only 5'7 and weigh 63kg

cardio,shoot me

BobbyOLeary wrote: »

Oh? Please explain how a leg press is not inferior to a barbell squat. Where does it match or exceed the squat in any way?

And the fact that you can use bigger weights is not a valid answer.

Your avoiding ur initial mistake in stating i dont squat with as much heart as i do leg press, my strength has nothing to do with it, i merely stated i find squats alot harder, and i made this evident by comparing weights i was doing, and i feel comparing a leg press to a barbell squat is like comparing apples and oranges, there both good, why choose? But if u must ask i have some reasons as to why i feel one is no worse than the other, The squat stresses all the musclulature of the back and to some degrees traps and delts, going high on squat can cause problems if u have already incurred back problems, (and if u want to go big on the squat, u may find you have to use a weightlifting belt which i hear causes problems with form, which is something i dont want to sacrifice at any costs) while the leg press only puts weight on the hips and legs and i feel it also isolates the quads, calves and hamstrings more cause of the sheer poundages on the machine, while the squat also works your core muscles also, not that this is a bad thing but im using squat as a leg exercise. So here you are many reasons why i find both exercises equally worthy of equal time in the gym.On a side note u mentioned bigger weights on leg press, i am not a fool you see, im also good at maths, and a standard leg press is set at an angle of about 45* if im correct, so to work out your actual weight your pressing, lets say its 700 pounds (some day ), thats works out 700*sin45 which = 495 pounds, so the actual weight isnt that high

Hanley

cardio,shoot me wrote: »

Your avoiding ur initial mistake in stating i dont squat with as much heart as i do leg press, my strength has nothing to do with it, i merely stated i find squats alot harder, and i made this evident by comparing weights i was doing, and i feel comparing a leg press to a barbell squat is like comparing apples and oranges, there both good, why choose? But if u must ask i have some reasons as to why i feel one is no worse than the other, The squat stresses all the musclulature of the back and to some degrees traps and delts, going high on squat can cause problems if u have already incurred back problems, (and if u want to go big on the squat, u may find you have to use a weightlifting belt which i hear causes problems with form, which is something i dont want to sacrifice at any costs) while the leg press only puts weight on the hips and legs and i feel it also isolates the quads, calves and hamstrings more cause of the sheer poundages on the machine, while the squat also works your core muscles also, not that this is a bad thing but im using squat as a leg exercise. So here you are many reasons why i find both exercises equally worthy of equal time in the gym.On a side note u mentioned bigger weights on leg press, i am not a fool you see, im also good at maths, and a standard leg press is set at an angle of about 45* if im correct, so to work out your actual weight your pressing, lets say its 700 pounds (some day ), thats works out 700*sin45 which = 495 pounds, so the actual weight isnt that high

You have such misguided notions of what it actually takes to build big strong legs that I don't actually think there's any point in anyone engaging in this further...

BobbyOLeary

First off use some paragraphs, it makes it far easier to read.

Your avoiding ur initial mistake in stating i dont squat with as much heart as i do leg press

I never used those words. I said nothing about heart. Not once.

going high on squat can cause problems if u have already incurred back problems

So can lifting a bag of coal. Whats your point? Injured people should be careful when they squat? Of course, but neither you nor I are injured.

if u want to go big on the squat, u may find you have to use a weightlifting belt which i hear causes problems with form

Oh well if you heard it, it must be true. Buy the right belt and you won't have any problems. I would also guess that at 15 years of age and the fact that you're arguing the virtues of the leg press over the squat that you're not strong enough for this to make a lick of difference.

i feel it also isolates the quads, calves and hamstrings more cause of the sheer poundages on the machine

And with that point you've proved you don't know what you're on about. More weight means more isolation? Eh? So only when a certain amount of stress is placed on a muscle does it get utilised?

Listen, buy Starting Strength and read up a bit on squatting then get back to me. And get off the damn leg press.

cardio,shoot me

hmm ok, i see where i went wrong there , i myself am confused about what i last posted in regards to isolation, i dont know what i meant there. About the back problems,
i just fear back problems is all, i wasnt giving a reason about me in paticular, just reasons why the legpress is also good.
and yes i heard weight lifting belts can hurt your form, i agree i wont be going near one for a while cause of lack of necessity, just a point i thought id mention
and Hanley, im sorry if im new to this, but i tried to make some valid points, and these arent the only thing i do to build legs, i do various exercises.

cardio,shoot me

And by the way, what do u find wrong with the leg press that i should get rid of it altogether

BobbyOLeary

Fair play for admitting you're wrong, most people won't.

The leg press forces the body to take up a particular movement pattern regardless of anthropometry (how you're made up, ratios of limb length to torso length etc.) and it also removes the element of balance and core stability. Also it allows people to brag about huge weights when they're not actually very strong, which just pisses me off.

The barbell squat does everything the legpress claims to do and then some. It works your legs, back, abs and is pretty taxing mentally (try a set of 20 Rep squats if you don't believe me). The barbell squat, when properly executed, allows your joints to go through a much more complete ROM which has a larger transference to the "real world". There is never a need for a healthy beginner to leg press if squatting facilities are available.

Squats are nasty, ugly, abusive lifts. They don't like you and will never be easy. That said, they're probably the most important lift for anyone to learn in their weight lifting careers. So that's why I want you to get off the damn leg press.

cardio,shoot me

remove altogether?, at the moment i do 4 sets of front squats and 4 sets of normal squats a week for about 8 reps, in next week the reps will up to 12 and then in another 4 weeks up to 15, with the weight dropping slowly to accomodate the extra reps.i go below parallell on normal squats, still trying to get down on fronts but im getting there. I also do standing calf raises and a a sitting calf machine in my gym and stiff leg deadlifts, lunges and a kind of squat machine[IMG]file:///C:/Users/E-r-i-c/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]

BobbyOLeary

Remove altogether. They're doing nothing that the Front Squats, Back Squats and Lunges aren't.

Where did you get that program by the way? You're doing an awful amount of compound leg work in those sessions. Really, at your age (and at mine, don't get me wrong), you've no need to be doing two types of calf raises along with all your squats. Also, you've no need to do hack squats, thats what that machine is for.

Could you post up your full program please? It seems a bit crowded and complex at the minute.

Colm_OReilly

I'd hate for this to sound like an attack but how can you say your form is perfect if you squat with your heels on plates?

cardio,shoot me

will i post it here or under my own topic?
edit: regarding my form, well, hmm, confused myself again, ill put it this way ,its the best i can do if i wanna get below parallel

BobbyOLeary

Just post it here, no point in starting something new.

What Colm means by the plates (I missed that, thanks Col) is that a squat with perfect form will have the feet flat on the ground. You're better off doing a few workouts with a lighter weight to stretch yourself out than rely on the plates. Your progress will slow down while you get used to it but its much better for you in the long term.

Hanley

BobbyOLeary wrote: »

Just post it here, no point in starting something new.

What Colm means by the plates (I missed that, thanks Col) is that a squat with perfect form will have the feet flat on the ground. You're better off doing a few workouts with a lighter weight to stretch yourself out than rely on the plates. Your progress will slow down while you get used to it but its much better for you in the long term.

Is the implication there that weightlifters don't have perfect squat form?

cardio,shoot me

okey dokey ill post it later tonight, i have another question, i was trying out squatting in the gym one day and i was using a stance slightly wider than shoulders with feet pointing out, i could go below parallell with this stance but someone in the rack beside me told me not to point my feet out. Is this Info i should stick to or is feet pointing out ok?