long legs and squatting...

[smallmovesal]

ok i'm likely hitting the gym tonight and when i used to squat, which wasn't a lot, i'd try to keep my back fairly straight and go down to about sitting so i was making a 90 degree angle. that's right, no?

ok, well it is really hard to keep my balance doing that because i have a really short body and i'm mostly legs... any suggestions on how to alter my stance or anything? wider stance?

 

[Nimrod25]

Use a wider grip on the bar and stand with your feet a few more inches apart. Dont go too heavy, just make sure you feel the burn from every rep. Go down very slow for the decline, and come up a little faster.

 

[smallmovesal]

great thanks so much. i was nearly falling over before...

 

[gymtime]

Remember that on squats, form is more important than weight. Try what DOT and Nimrod said, it will help. Keep your back straight and eyes up during the movement. 90 degrees is good for now. But as you get better at them, you can go a little lower.

 

[sysopt]

I can retain my balance easier if I go down slower

 

[MommaKin]

Yes, what gymtime said....form is more important then weight.....do it light an go slow and concentrate.....keep your feet shoulder width apart, but, maybe have your hands placed on the abit wider....practice makes perfect

 

[b fold the truth]

Practice and tiime. Do some light weights with more reps and sets. The more reps and sets you do...the more practice you get especially when you are just starting off.

Don't worry about having long legs. Longer legs just mean longer levers...which can lift heavier weights.

B True

 

[wilson6]

Wide stance, toes out slightly for long legs, otherwise you will have form issues (balance, knees coming over the toes, etc). Women have more trouble than guys because of the pelvic tilt.

The best thing to do is stand in front of the squat rack, about 8-10" out, have your partner put a broom handle in the rack, knee height. When you squat, your knees shouldn't push on or touch the broom handle. Hips go way back, (standard or powerlifting style squat).

W6