Questions tagged [squats]

Barbell squats are one of the three lifts in powerlifting. Questions are about effective technique, variations, and programs for squatting with or without resistance.

In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads (vastus lateralus medialis and intermedius), hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body. Source: wikipedia

Forms include:

  • Barbell squats, like the low-bar back squat, high-back back squat, front squat, Zercher squat, overhead squat, or jumping squat
  • Bodyweight-only versions, like air squats or pistols (single-legged squats)
  • Other methods, like dumbbell squats
322 questions
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What causes me to lean forward on a barbell squat?

Recently I have been looking at my squat form and notice that I always bend forward too much such that my head is past my knees. When I try and correct myself to have head and knees aligned, it's just not possible, or I lose my balance and can't go…
Harry Iguana
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Gym Etiquette: Is it bad to hog a squat rack?

I'm currently doing a workout program involving squats, overhead press, deadlifts, and curls. All of this is done with a barbell and squat rack. However it means I'm now using the rack for 30-40 mins to myself. Is this bad etiquette? If so, what's…
user33409
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Light-headedness after squats

My final set of squats has me going until I can do no more. I usually stop when I feel one more rep may or may not might be possible, but it's going to totally wipe me out trying. I usually sense that point when I'm squatted down, so have to bail…
jontyc
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Squat form: hips and ankles

I've read squat tips in this site and others, but I can't really figure out how to reach the posture in figure A. Mine is more similar to figure B. It seems physically impossible to get my hips and feet so close. My idea is to stop increasing my…
Luciano
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Better for arm growth to train arms on the same day as squats?

I've read that squats and deadlifts promote overall muscle growth in the body. Does this mean that if I want to increase growth faster in, say, my arms, I should exercise my arms on the same day as I do one of these heavy compound lifts?
user677
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Safe progressions to a full bodyweight squat

A friend of mine asked me, what's the best way to strengthen her legs and butt. I answered: "Just do regular squats". However she is not in good shape and is afraid of doing squats because she thinks that it may hurt her knees. However many studies…
Sarah
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What's the opposite exercise to the squat?

Is there a good bodyweight antagonist exercise to the squat? In the same way the push up has the pull up or the inverted row?
juniper a.
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Program that includes both front squats and low-bar back squats

Are there any programs that include both front squats and low-bar back squats? They both seem to have athletic benefits, and it seems like it would be worth my time considering to train both around the same time. The general advice from programs…
DavidR
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Is ass to grass squat natural or a learned behaviour?

I can squat ass to grass, even lower, rest in a squat position with a barbell resting on my clavicles and chest and It is quite common for people in the gym to be able to relax in a squat position. But for some people pause squats are considered…
Squat
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feet position for squat

There is conflicting information available on what your feet position should be for squats. Older sources state that you need to have your feet out at 15 degrees from forward. Newer sources states that you should have your feet straight forward to…
Michał Zaborowski
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Improving Squat Power at Parallel

In my squat, I find that I can get to depth, push up about an inch, and clear the squat another inch above that really easily. However, there's a point just above parallel where I struggle the most. I filmed myself for the first time yesterday when…
C. Lange
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How to get rid off Squat Anxiety?

My Gym has no Squat rack so I have to do the squats with lower weights. I'm following a classic PPL program and my 5 rep maxes are: BP: 65kgx5 DL: 100kgx5 OHP: 45kgx5 Bent Over Row: 60kgx5 Squat: 75kgx5 :( I'm going to try using Smith-machine for…
Egek92
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Squats with the Smith Machine

When I do squats on the smith machine, I start with my legs a few feet out in front of me and go down until I am in a sitting position. I've noticed that some people go down until they are almost touching the ground. Does this form work different…
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Weights and plantar fasciitis

Should you do squats, and can you also do Calf raises, either on machines or free weights, if you have plantar fasciitis? I have had this for 3 years now: I have stopped running. I also find stationary bikes do put some pressure on the plantar,…
Dee
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pistol squats: which kind of barbell squat helps the most

I want to train up to do a pistol squat, and am trying to follow the general advice outlined on the Beast Skills Tutorial, but I'm trying to understand which of the 3 major styles of squats (low bar back squat, high bar back squat, front squat)…
DavidR
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