He’s looking really strong. He’s put on some size too.
Thanks … FYI that’s video is almost 3 years old. He’s a tad bigger now 
He’s serious. This was supposed to be a subtle brag post lol.
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Hi everyone. I was told I should post a form check for squats here. Any critques on my 3rd and last set of 235 x 5?
For future reference, just start a new thread next time. The guy who started this one was either trying to play some kind of joke on us or is completely out of his mind, I doubt many people will see this.
Overall, looks OK. The way you are breathing leads me to believe that you aren’t actually taking in much air though, slow down the breathing and make sure to get a big breath for each rep. Also, you are descending too quick, it looks like you are kind of struggling to catch yourself at the bottom and almost pausing on some reps. You want to descend as fast as your technique will allow, which for some people will actually be pretty slow. And when you hit the bottom of the squat you want to bounce back up using the stretch reflex, descending faster will give you more rebound but it only works if you can catch the stretch reflex. You’re well below parallel so don’t linger in the hole, reverse the movement as explosively as possible (without technique breakdown of course). I also see your lower back going into quite a bit of extension at some points (in the bottom range of the squat) which isn’t really an injury risk or anything but more like an inefficient movement pattern, just keep squatting and make sure you brace properly and it should fix itself.
On the plus side: your walkout looks real good.
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Thank you. Is there any particular way I should brace? I watched the “How to Skwaat” video by Ed Coan, he talked about breathing in with the nose and then bracing the abs so as not to loosen up. I guess I was doing that wrong lol. Also, I feel like the bar was kind of sliding down my back down on that last rep. Is this normal, or a technique issue? And finally, how do I catch the stretch reflex?
Check out Brian Alsruhe’s videos on YouTube. He has 2 on squatting cues (and many other lifts) and bracing. They’re explained for the every man and it’s real easy to digest, I’ve been using the tips and my lifts have all felt more comfortable since.
Thank you. Did my squats look like I could handle the weight? Or should I lower it? My form was a lot cleaner than my last workout with 3 x 5 x 235.
I don’t think I’m the right guy to answer that for you. You’ll have to listen to your body and maybe someone with a better eye for that thing can chime in.
That said, your reps moved pretty good and they didn’t seem like grinders (again how you feel may be different) so I wouldn’t lower the load. At the same time there’s no use increasing it if A. you feel like you aren’t ready, or B. it will compromise the efficacy of your workout.
For the record please dont ban me when im trying to defend myself.
I guess my squat form was a bit rushed well because im just usually quick to do things. Sorry for being athletic.
And if you want to talk shit then go ahead and do what you gotta do
I feel like I’m ready because the squats went up well. I could have done maybe another rep or two on that last set. Also my knees feel stellar today. I was just asking if they looked the same way they felt for me. Because I realllly don’t wanna mess up my back.
Nope. That was not an athletic display.
Im also now convinced you are a troll.
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Keep your mouth shut until your squat looks like @jfallon9’s
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Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjDb9dGX_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFiosv9_vis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd5vmjolKh0
Watch the whole JTS “Squat Pillar” series, but those two in particular will help.
You might be holding it too low, and part of the problem could be that your elbows are pointed back a lot. Some people say to squat like that (Rippetoe), other say not to, just find the right place on your back where you can pull down on the bar like you are trying to bend it over your back and it doesn’t move. You can practice with an empty bar, or even a broomstick at home.
Looks fine. You are doing a linear progression, correct? If your technique looked like shit at the end or you nearly missed a lift then I would be concerned, just keep doing what you are doing but try to do it better.
Do you have knee issues? How did your squats feel, good or bad? Does your back hurt? Consider buying a belt.
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Your squat is weaker than many young girls out there.
Just saying.
Thank you. That sounds like it would work. I’ll try it.
Yes, SS 3x5.
My knees have just always sucked. I have flat feet. I used to be a cross-country runner, and I think I messed my knees up more that way. Also, last year, I was running on a treadmill, and when I got off I found that my knees made it almost impossible to walk for two weeks after. Squats gave me knee pain back when I did high-bar, but following the cue “open your taint” made my squats feel really good. And no, my back never hurts from squats. It is a bit sore sometimes, but I never squat heavy to the point where it turns into a good-morning. Also, I heard somewhere not to use a belt until you finish a LP program because you become too reliant on it. Is this true?
Yeah, that’s normal, your back will get sore but as long as it’s DOMS sore and not an injury then don’t worry.
Doesn’t Rippetoe recommend buying a belt? I don’t think that’s necessarily true, but you look like you’re ok for now anyway so maybe just wait until you finish your LP to buy one if that’s what you were planning. You know what though, some coaches (Boris Sheiko, for example) say to always use a belt. He said something like “put a belt on once 40kg is on the bar”. Over-reliance on a belt is only really an issue if you are training for another sport where you can’t wear a belt, if you want to be a powerlifter then it’s not really a big deal. However, some other coaches (Mike T/RTS, for example) say to do the majority of training beltless if possible and only use a belt on the competition lifts (they use lots of variations). There isn’t really a right answer as long as you are making progress and your technique is solid. Personally, I put on a belt when I’m over 315 for squat and 405 for deadlift but sometimes I also do beltless variations as well.
See, I haven’t hit either of those yet 
, but I understand your point. Personally, I feel like if I use a belt, my lifts aren’t really raw. Sorry if that’s a flawed statement. I just feel like I haven’t gotten to the point where wearing one is integral to my back health. I think I need to learn how to brace for lifts using my own intraabdominal pressure before recruiting a belt for assistance. I heard this from Alan Thrall, a good buddy of Rip. What are your thoughts on this?
Negative. There’s nothing wrong with using some supportive gear to keep yourself healthy while you train. I don’t squat without a belt and knee sleeves anymore and I don’t bench without wrist wraps, and my joints are thanking me. I’m not putting on a squat suit and wraps so I’m still raw by most fed standards
See, I didn’t know what “raw” meant. My bad. 