Question for the Experts???
I have read many times how important squats are, how important form is etc… The one thing I have never read is what is reasonable to expect in relation to other exercises I do for the same muscles. I have the damnedest time doing squats. My neck doesn’t like them though I have alleviated that to some extent, and my lower back doesn’t seem to care for them either. I can typically do over 400lbs on the leg press, but when trying to do squats I can only use about 185lbs. Part of it could be just getting used to doing them, and some of it may be poor form since I don’t have anyone watching me or spotting me. So is that a reasonable or should my squat weight be higher? Also is it 100% necessary to do squats with a barbell? Would the V-Squat work the legs as well without the risk of injuring myself? Advice!!!
December 12, 2007 at 11:19 am
Dont set expectations only goals. You know your body better then anyone and what is a "good" weight to use for a particular excercise. Form is critical expecially for bog excercises like the squat. You should continue using lighter weights until you master the form, then slowly increase but only as you feel comfortable. Every excercise is different, and just because you can lift a heavy weight in a somewhat similar excercise doenst mean you have the same level of performance in another. You could try other variations like the front squat, or squatting with dumbbells. My best suggestion would be to study and understand strict form including proper bar placement, etc. and then practice it. Hope this helps some good luck.
December 12, 2007 at 11:25 am
I’m no expert but I do like to squat and have done so for a while now. Like you, my lower back tends to get cranky when I put too much stress on it or if I’m not paying enough attention to my form.
Leg pressing 2-3 times the weight of your squat is very common. Nothing to worry about there! Form is KEY when doing squats. Forget about the weight for a while and go by feel. I found out that going too deep (full squats - ass to the grass) put too much stress on my lower back. Stopping about parallel to the floor is perfect for me. Some people can do the full squats no problem at all. You don’t want to stop the motion too early either just bouncing up and down 5 inches (some pencil necks do that just to be able to load heaps of plates on the bar). Don’t know about the v-squat. You could try it a couple of times with light weight and see how it feels.
Good luck to you
December 12, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I guess my concern is giving up another exercise in my routine that I can push more weight in order to replace it with squats that aren’t really heavy enough to stimulate my quads.
I purchased the Manta Ray which is designed to spread the pressure of the barbell across a larger area and force the bar into the best position on your shoulders essentially forcing better form. So that is helping, but as for the rest of my form? Who knows? It may be dead on, I know what it should look like, but not how it should feel.
December 13, 2007 at 10:35 am
I have had back problems so I have not done a lot of squats. I do not like the leg press machine at the gym i use now, as much, so I am doing more squats. I have found that I can do them safer using the Smith machine. It assures that I use better form. I am now doing them with just the barbell but later on in my workout.That way I can use less weight and still get the advantages of the squat because my muscles have already ben somewhat taxed.
December 13, 2007 at 12:54 pm
I really appreciate the feedback. I am still contemplating what I will do. I usually work out early, so I rarely run into conflicts over a particular machine or station. I may give the Smith a go, since it essentially forces you into good form. It has a thicker bar though, and I can’t use my nifty Manta Ray.
I have maxed out the actual leg press machine and the leg press station that you put regular weights on is ok, but it seems to have a somewhat limited range of motion. So I will either be using the V-Squat or the Smith Machine, or just very light weight on the regular squat rack until I feel confident my form is good.
I just like to have options so I can maintain the intensity level through my workout. Having to wait 2 minutes or more really kills it for me.