Thanks for the info on my post regarding timing of a P+C shake when including cardio in a workout!
I was reading CTs “Money” Exercises and he talks about doing a full squat…Id love to start doing these but when I was practicing the form without any weight as soon as I got below 90 degrees I lost all balance and just fell backwards…the only way I can think to fix this problem is just to keep doing the movement over and over again..does anyone have another suggestion or am i on the right track?
I hear you… if I really went ass-to-grass I think my whole back angle changes and my legs seem to disengage. Therfore I go deeper than 90, but not too much. I am thinking of purchasing a video from westside barbell club about squating so I can see correct form.
pictures always show start/finish- i need to see whole movement
If you are wearing shoes with squishy soles it will tend to put you off balance. I would try hiking boots or Chuck Taylor’s. I have found if I am doing full squats I need to have the bar a little higher on my traps. You can also do full front squats for a month or two and that will help you learn to balance.
I could be wrong, but I think improving hamstring strength/flexibility generally helps improve squat form a lot.
In the meantime, a couple of things that helped me with in the beginning were small (2 1/2 lb) plates under my heels, a slightly wider stance, and slightly out-turned toes.
As far as elevated heels I have read a lot of conflicting opinions, but I think that the benefits of squatting with a slight elevation outweigh not squatting or the risk of injury from squatting incorrectly.
You are probably leaning too far back. remember to stick your butt out and keep the shoulders roughly over your ankles.
Practice and building leg strength helps too.
An image I find useful is on the downward movement, think of sitting down on the toilet. That said, keep you eyes on a high spot on the wall to help keep you chest from caving in.