I apologize for having so many squat related questions, this move is my biggest struggle and the thing I most want to conquer! I’ve watched all of the Alan Thrall videos and can get depth sometimes but not consistently. Often I think I’m low and video it and I’m pretty consistently 1" too high.
I’m week 2 in the beginner template and love it! I can get depth with the bar and a little weight but as I add weight I lose depth. Everything else feels good. I feel stronger!
I did the form check and have been working on chest position and stance.
But…do I add weight and try to slowly get depth with weight or lose bar weight and get depth? I know you said before that my life will go on if I’m a little high in my squat …I just don’t know when I give up and accept where I’m at.
Thank you!
Angela
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Hi Angela,
When it comes to achieving the desired squat depth, e.g. just below parallel, newer lifters typically have issues with both the mechanics and feeling the right depth. I think if you’re consistently above parallel, I’d be focusing on getting the stance right at this point. If the stance is off, mechanically that’s going to give you issues with the squat depth. The other issue here is how your brain is interpreting your body’s positioning as it relates to depth. You believe when you’re squatting that you’re deep enough, but you’re not according to your report here. The “feel” is wrong, apparently. To adjust the feel, you’re going to have to do something that feels different. I would likely cue you to squat “3 inches” below what you think you should be doing regardless of the weight. I would also add weight slowly, rather than doing it every week just because. The movement needs to remain similar in order for it to be a strength increase, you know?
It’s still early days here so I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself. You’re going to get so much better at this over the next year that you won’t even recognize these squats!
-Jordan
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