Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
thefantom1
New member
The problem may also lie in the flexibility of your achilles tendon in your ankle... if you don't have the flexibilty when you squat down..you tend to lean forward, thus putting more pressure on you lower back. Here is what I did to correct it. I started using 25lb plates under the HEEL of each foot. This put me in a more straight up and down position. After 2-3 weeks..I then exchanged the 25lb plates for 10lb plates.... another 2-3 weeks...I put 5lb plates under my heels....... again, 2-3 weeks..and no weights.... it corrected my flexibility problems and and also my lower back pain when squating. I of course also stretched the achilles tendon everyday. I think another important thing to do when starting to squat is to not go over 5-6 reps per set. I never go over 8 (unless Im feeling stupid and try and do 20 reps with a lighter weight....but thats a different story all together) Keep the reps low at first......until you become familiar with your leg strength... I have seen many guys screw up the lower back by shooting for a few xtra reps on the squat... start slow....
