Hello! I had a question on exercise selection moving into part 2 of the Beginner template. I’ve written in the past about my struggle with squats, which seems to actually be getting worse. I’m sure I’m just in my head at this point. And equal parts frustrated and determined. I had been, before the template, doing mostly high bar, I switched to low bar in the template and had about equal results. I actually did get depth one time doing low bar, one time is not an exaggeration. So I know it’s possible!
I plan to hire a trainer at my gym just to see me in action and help me get over this hump.
With that being said, what is my best bet at this point:
- stay in part one a little longer and work with a trainer and then move to part 2
- move to part 2, switch to hack squat/leg press or similar, and work with a trainer on squat form at the same time
- move to part 2 and keep squats because practice makes perfect…if this option, is low bar or high bar ‘easier’ for getting depth if that is my struggle?
- if you have a better idea I’m all ears
Thank you so much! And thanks for the labor day sale, I got the strength and conditioning template for the future and your protein powder (which is arguably the best tasting on the market).
Angela
Have you considered doing a quick form check consult with one of our coaches? That may be a helpful first step, although if you feel you need in-person guidance then getting some local help is a reasonable step too. I don’t think that the set / rep programming is a huge factor in this decision (in other words, phase 1 vs. phase 2, etc.), but rather I would want to get this ironed out before significantly load progression happens.
I did a form check, which was very helpful! While I’ve narrowed my stance and applied other suggestions regarding my chest position, I can’t seem to get my butt low enough once I go above 85lb.
Actually the only time I actually did a squat to depth I had a wider stance with a low bar setup. I don’t know if I’m trying too many variations in an attempt to execute the move correctly that nothing has a chance to work.
I had considered the coaching through BBM because I trust and value your work, but I wasn’t sure if that would be helpful until I can effectively do the exercise. I’ve watched Alan Thrall videos so many times I feel like a stalker, and they all seem to make sense and I try to put it to action and fail.
Since I’ve actually gotten worse, would it be helpful to do a second form check?
Hi,
It’s going to be difficult for us to comment on what you should do without seeing the squats- one at 85 and one at say, 90. If you have those, that would be useful. I agree with Austin and recall a similar question I had answered a few months back.
Continued follow up to work on a particular movement is necessary in many situations, for sure.
-Jordan
Jordan, thank you for offering to take a look at my squat. I ended up doing an 85 and 95. Unfortunately they aren’t on the same day, the 95 I took this morning was horrible. These aren’t apples to apples, I forgot my squat shoes for the 95lb video but I can assure you that even with my shoes, this is what my form reverts to. And with a gun to my head, I would have thought I was below parallel in these videos. I hear you in my head saying 'go 3" lower than you think you should" but it doesn’t feel like that’s physically possible.
I hope the angle isn’t too bad but if this isn’t helpful I could do another form video too. Or a consultation. Not sure the next step, I think I read the form video is a one time opportunity.
I’ve also never used Youtube for video sharing but this seems to be the easiest way, I hope it works.
