SQUATS - FreeTrainers.com Forums

Group: General Fitness & Exercise

General Fitness & Exercise

Created: 2011/12/31, Members: 382, Messages: 54581

Various general exercise related discussions. Find out what it takes to reach your fitness goals through daily effective exercise. With so many options we try to find out what works best.

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SQUATS

1brian Posts: 10 Joined: 2003/02/10	2003/04/22, 02:57 PM I've been doing squats for a few weeks and noticed my lower back gets pretty sore. Does this mean I'm arching my back?

7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2003/04/22, 03:00 PM Maybe. What it means to me is that the lower back is doing more work than it should check your form or have someone check it for you. Also maybe lower the weight a little till your form is better. -------------- IF YOU CAN STILL ITCH YOUR NOSE AFTER ARM DAY, GO DO ANOTHER SET!!!
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/04/22, 04:44 PM One interesting thing I have found out is that if a person squats TO low, then there tailbone pulls down and forward, at this point your spinal erectors, glute medius and other lumbar muscles are doing work that your quads and hams should be doing. I used to be an advocate of squatting low, but not anymore, my lower back is way to important. Look in a mirror sideways(with no weight), when you begin to see your tailbone curve in, stop at that point and go no further. Hope this helps, good luck
Cjtyson Posts: 51 Joined: 2003/04/12	2003/04/22, 05:50 PM The one I'm talking about is one that is very similar to squats, apart from that, you let the weight hang infront of you, rather than resing on your trapezius.... would you recommend me doing squats or these deadlifts for building up my legs? Can I do squats on a Smith machine?
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2003/04/22, 05:53 PM cjtyson like I said in your post on deadlifts..they are for lower back not building legs. Your legs do some of the work but the direct muscle group being worked for regular deadlifts. If you do stiff leg deadlifts they focus on the hamstrings. Squats are the best leg builder you can do. -------------- IF YOU CAN STILL ITCH YOUR NOSE AFTER ARM DAY, GO DO ANOTHER SET!!!
1brian Posts: 10 Joined: 2003/02/10	2003/04/22, 06:33 PM dahayz--thanks, that's exactly what I have been doing. I read that going low is the weigh to go (grow).
dahayz Posts: 794 Joined: 2002/05/08	2003/04/22, 07:51 PM Exactly, and people wonder why they have back problems to begin with.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2003/04/23, 10:21 AM Thnk about pushing your hips back and feel them 'open up' as you go down. With time your depth will increase without stressing your low back - but there is no reason to go below parrallel (knee risk). Most people have no feel for qwhere their tailbone should be during exercises, hence a lot of back problems. Like dahayz said, keep your tail out, when it starts to tuck you have reached your current range of motions end. -------------- Challenge + Consistency = Results