TelBoy, Grovsey, Jonny
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How hard is squatting
rob was in today(ex strongman) i got home to teach my squatting.
I just couldnt get the balance and stature right with the in the squat rack.
having to use the smith press to improve my technique are a 2hour work out im just like Jelly! it was so much heavy it was the actual balance!!
Tel - do you have a contact email address, if you dont want to post email my profile address
tune time
Si
rob was in today(ex strongman) i got home to teach my squatting.
I just couldnt get the balance and stature right with the in the squat rack.
having to use the smith press to improve my technique are a 2hour work out im just like Jelly! it was so much heavy it was the actual balance!!
Tel - do you have a contact email address, if you dont want to post email my profile address
tune time
Si
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They're not easy. But they're awesomely effective.
Squatting free weight after a Smith machine is a totally different sensation, as you've discovered. I was "lucky" to never have used a Smith machine before meeting the squat rack, so i had no idea what to expect.
Balance is the number one lesson to learn. I'd recommend the following;
1. Keep your hands about six inches from the ends of the bar, just outside the competition circle marks. Effectively this should mean your upper and lower arms will be pretty near a right angle.
2. When you position the bar on your traps, do so with one foot slightly forward of the other. Lifting the bar off the rack with both legs together is very unnerving, especially as you start doing heavier weights.
3. Step back slowly, two steps, no more. I've seen guys step back more than this, pick up momentum and actually fall backwards, with the bar falling to the floor. Take it slowly.
4. Personally, i'd recommend using a couple of 5kg weights on the floor under your heels, unless you have proper lifting shoes (which i never liked and consider unnecessary).
5. Descend slowly, keeping your head up, back straight, and knees no further apart than your shoulders. Can't over-emphasise all three of these. Get it right now, and you won't have to un-teach yourself bad habits. It's almost impossible to train proper technique without being there, but this is the best i can do. Breathe in on the way down, and out on the way up. Your body will dictate this though, if you're trying hard enough!
6. How low you go is personal preference. I used to go way down, almost so my bum was on my calves, whereas other guy's natural range of motion is just below parallel. You have to find out what works best for you. But wherever you end, DO NOT bounce out of the bottom, at least as far as you can avoid it. At the end of a heavy set, some bouncing is almost inevitable, but if you consider it good technique from rep one, you'll be asking for injury.
7. On the way up, push from your thighs, obviously (although you'd be surprised how many guys use their glutes way too much, by bending forward much too far), but try and straighten up by thrusting your thighs forward. You'll be surprised how much extra power you can generate by keeping this in mind.
8. Make sure you're steady before doing another rep. And when the set's finished, keep the bar under control while you approach the rack, and don't let go until you're sure both ends are secure.
There's no real secret to learning balance on squats, other than doing them. As i said, you have the disadvantage of being cosseted by a Smith machine, and free weight squats after that feel quite unsafe at first. But stick with it, there really is no comparison. Get into a squat groove, and the results can be extraordinary.
And as i've said before, a squat workout is a squat workout. Forget legs and arms, legs and shoulders, legs and anything. Give your quads total concentration, and your progress will step up a gear, guaranteed.
Hope this helps.
Squatting free weight after a Smith machine is a totally different sensation, as you've discovered. I was "lucky" to never have used a Smith machine before meeting the squat rack, so i had no idea what to expect.
Balance is the number one lesson to learn. I'd recommend the following;
1. Keep your hands about six inches from the ends of the bar, just outside the competition circle marks. Effectively this should mean your upper and lower arms will be pretty near a right angle.
2. When you position the bar on your traps, do so with one foot slightly forward of the other. Lifting the bar off the rack with both legs together is very unnerving, especially as you start doing heavier weights.
3. Step back slowly, two steps, no more. I've seen guys step back more than this, pick up momentum and actually fall backwards, with the bar falling to the floor. Take it slowly.
4. Personally, i'd recommend using a couple of 5kg weights on the floor under your heels, unless you have proper lifting shoes (which i never liked and consider unnecessary).
5. Descend slowly, keeping your head up, back straight, and knees no further apart than your shoulders. Can't over-emphasise all three of these. Get it right now, and you won't have to un-teach yourself bad habits. It's almost impossible to train proper technique without being there, but this is the best i can do. Breathe in on the way down, and out on the way up. Your body will dictate this though, if you're trying hard enough!
6. How low you go is personal preference. I used to go way down, almost so my bum was on my calves, whereas other guy's natural range of motion is just below parallel. You have to find out what works best for you. But wherever you end, DO NOT bounce out of the bottom, at least as far as you can avoid it. At the end of a heavy set, some bouncing is almost inevitable, but if you consider it good technique from rep one, you'll be asking for injury.
7. On the way up, push from your thighs, obviously (although you'd be surprised how many guys use their glutes way too much, by bending forward much too far), but try and straighten up by thrusting your thighs forward. You'll be surprised how much extra power you can generate by keeping this in mind.
8. Make sure you're steady before doing another rep. And when the set's finished, keep the bar under control while you approach the rack, and don't let go until you're sure both ends are secure.
There's no real secret to learning balance on squats, other than doing them. As i said, you have the disadvantage of being cosseted by a Smith machine, and free weight squats after that feel quite unsafe at first. But stick with it, there really is no comparison. Get into a squat groove, and the results can be extraordinary.
And as i've said before, a squat workout is a squat workout. Forget legs and arms, legs and shoulders, legs and anything. Give your quads total concentration, and your progress will step up a gear, guaranteed.
Hope this helps.
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Email address mate .
Yeah i just kept lossing center of balance. And keep going on tip toes.
I did it using the smith press and i could manage 80K's furry muff its not as heavy due to resistance but my god i could feel it pulling!!!!
Si
Yeah i just kept lossing center of balance. And keep going on tip toes.
I did it using the smith press and i could manage 80K's furry muff its not as heavy due to resistance but my god i could feel it pulling!!!!
Si
#6
I havent been doing squats properly (every week that is) for a while now, but I'm going to start and do a few sets every week now when I train my legs. The gym I am at now has a **** free standing machine for sqauts so I have to use the smiths machine. Its hard to get used to but it helps keep you back straight, so at least your legs are doing most of the work.
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Yeah we've got a propper sqaut rack, so move the pins up to the lowest positions.
**** easy in the smith rack tbh. Joke woke up and im damm sore everywhere, must being a good work out. Think ill rest today.
Oh yeah ive sent more goose to buy me to rice cakes
**** easy in the smith rack tbh. Joke woke up and im damm sore everywhere, must being a good work out. Think ill rest today.
Oh yeah ive sent more goose to buy me to rice cakes
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#12
Rugby league, that's like rugby union for little lads isn't it ???? (Played union for about 5 years)
Sorry about the misses, well I suppose there are plenty more fish in the sea.. LOL
Sorry about the misses, well I suppose there are plenty more fish in the sea.. LOL
#18
Man city have put £7m in for Fowler and the Toon are playing Man city on Saturday!!!!!!
Fowler Is doing his medical today.
I don't like Leeds or Liverpool but Fowler is a class Forward.
[Edited by grovesy - 1/15/2003 2:33:27 PM]
#20
Nah I haven't got a seaon ticket, but I do get to alot of the games. I think Leeds are mad for selling Robbie Fowler.
I was at the Leeds game this season I was gutted we got beat.
I was at the Leeds game this season I was gutted we got beat.
#22
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Easy on the free bar
did it perfect only did 15kg either side though.
i think last time it was because hour n half weights i was dead on my feet
Si
did it perfect only did 15kg either side though.
i think last time it was because hour n half weights i was dead on my feet
Si
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