Squat question for tall guys (6ft+)

[Liberator]

DO ANY OF YOU GUYS GET LOWER BACK ACHE AFTER SQUATTING?

IT IS HARD TO KEEP YOUR BACK AS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU ARE TALL, THIS SEEMS TO BE TAKING ITS TOLL ON MY BACK RECENTLY

I WAS THINKING OF GOING SMITH MACHINE SQUATS FOR A WHILE WHILE THE ACHE GOES AWAY

ANY ADVICE?

I DO ABS ABOUT 3 TIMES A WEEK SO I DONT BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS WITH WEAK ABS.

 

[edgecrusher]

Are you making sure, that you are looking up throughout the entire movement. Also, I do not know when you do abs, but I would not do them the day before you train legs.

 

[calvesodeath]

The Smith Machine squatz should help back pain as I have the same problem but not so with the Smith

 

[Liberator]

Yes I always look up throughout the movement, I sometimes do abs the night before legs but I didnt think it made that much difference

Iwill try doing them after legs

anymore advice?

I am a tad over 6ft 3 btw

Cheers

 

[kingsquat]

I'm 6'1" and have never had any back pain from squats. I mean, I get the occasional soreness in the lower back from stressing the muscle, but never an ache. I think its a form thing. I'd say work hard on changing your stance/form to something more comfortable. Maybe talk to some dudes at your gym whose opinions you respect.

 

[Liberator]

Maybe you are right, I definately do not want to give up freebar squat

I will strip weight off the bar and get someone to take a look at my form then go heavy again once I feel its right

I seem to be forced forward when I go parallel, it is very hard not to do this, I dont know if it is me and crap form or becayse of my height, I know Arnie had the same problem?!!

Anyway, I;llk strip the weight off and concentrate on form

Thanks

 

[gymtime]

Something you might try. Have someone at your gym who knows about squatting watch your form. Taller guys (myself included) tend to bend forward slightly at the bottom of a squat, which is difficult to see yourself doing when facing yourself in a mirror. In other words, you might be using some bad form without knowing it.

 

[Liberator]

I think your right man, I definately do do this and it is this that screws with my back

Have you ever tried to squat with just the bar? It is even more difficult without weight to keep straight

I think the obvious thing to do is to do it without weight until I get it right and not go so heavy on my actual sets

 

[kingsquat]

I agree with the bar thing. Using just the bar won't give you a realistic look at the squat. Throw 135 or 225 on there and see if you can make it sing. It will feel VERY awkward at first, but you'll get used to it. I change my bench grip last summer and it actually made me weaker in the short term. But now, I'm reaping the benefits.

Good Luck! Squats rule!

 

[b fold the truth]

Ok...let me ask you a quick question. Why do you think that your back hurts after squatting? Really...why does it hurt?

It hurts because you have a weak back and/or abs. Don't avoid your weakness....focus on your weakness.

B True

 

[GenetiKing]

I'm over 6ft tall and have the same problem. I've even fine tuned my squatting style to hedge against this...but for taller guys, the biomechanics of squatting are simply different. I've reinjured the same area of my lower back several times so I have to be very careful.

If your back is bothering you...just take it easy and skip the squats for some leg presses. Return to the squats when your back is 100%. I've had to do this several times over the years but it's much better than totally screwing up your back and not being able to train at all.

Also, it doesn't necessarily indicate a weak core, or a weak back, or even weak abs. Taller guys are simply more prone to bending over the deeper they go when squatting heavy. Injury can occur no matter how strong your core is.

 

[Liberator]

I agree with you but I will try and see if I can correct it

It is extremely difficult to not bend forward ever so slightly at least once during the whole routine, and when you do all the weight is on your back and thats what screws mine up

I think perfecting form and being consistant with it are very difficult things to master in this case

Bfold is right, I am going to start incorporating the deadlift in my back routine once my back is at 100%

Hopefully this will help

 

[needleboy]

try the Smith machine, and remember to keep your abs contracted to help stabilize the low back!!!

 

[Deathspell Omega]

Re:

I'm 6'2", 16 years of age, and whenever I go heavy on squats (i.e. 120 kilos+) my lower back hurts for days afterwards. I did 135x12 (135 kilos, that is!) about two weeks ago and the back pain I experienced for days afterwards was so intense that I had to take a break from the gym...

I have access to a mean MedX leg press machine with back support, so I may just use that instead of squats for a while.

Deathspell Omega

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

widen up that stance, toes out at 45 degree angle and really SIT BACK into those squats. Arch your back and stick that butt out fighting to stick your CHEST OUT the whole time. I am 6'2" and this form has allowed me to go up to 500 or so with never a back problem. Hope this helps!

 

[MrOlympia2004]

Do some good mornings in your training and strengthen your lumbar area up.

 

[Liberator]

Good advice bros, thanks for all your replies

Heavywear I will give that a try

Cheers guys!!

 

[Robboe]

improve your flexibility.