Learning How to Squat
Read your article with interest about how to squat, as presently I can’t squat. The reasons for this are (1) lack of balance and flexibility and (2) fear of injury. I intend to take your advice and do the body weight squats your article advises. Is it ok to incorporate a few sets of these with my current leg workout, which is leg presses, step ups, lunges, leg curls, etc?
Sure! Practice this bodyweight movement anytime, even on leg off-days.
Hold onto a rack for support as you practice, progress and perform the movement aggressively.
Try holding on and leaning back (called sissy squats) as you squat to direct resistance to the front of the quad… various versions of the freehand exercise will serve to secure you in the exercise, teach you, invoke experimentation, improve your balance, give you confidence and develop the thighs more fully.
In time, work the exercise into a proper routine, perhaps one day with a bar on your back from a rack with safeties in place.
Little hint: When squatting, sometimes a one-inch board under the heels provides a needed modification in an anomalous leg structure disproportion. Try it.
Be strong, recruit a willing spotter and practice when you get the urge and are warmed up and ready for action.
Throw in some explosive jumping on occasion, after a good warm-up, of course.
Go… Godspeed… Dave
Dave Draper - Dave Draper Posted on February 25th, 2008 in Getting Started, Weight Training by Dave Draper