Trouble with squats

[musclemom]

You might want to consider seeing a chiropractor or what are they called (treilin probably knows) a sports medicine physiologist? A body mechanics person. If you have weakness/tightness somewhere something's goofy someplace else.

Okay, one more thing to think about: What kind of shoes are you wearing? I can't squat ATF even with no weight with the wrong shoes on, I've got my "deadlifting shoes" I use -- can't walk a quarter mile in the suckers, but perfect for weights.

 

[ironbabe]

http://www.drbackman.com/piriformis-muscle-stretch.htm
Ok, when doing this stretch it does not "hit" the same place. hmmmm

Neither does this one:

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipFlexors/KneelingHipFlexor.html

I am going to keep stretching (just in case) and doing box squats to strengthen. But I am at the point of thinking that it might just be a genetic issue with my hips. I realized that I failed to mention that quite often my hips "pop." When I was inshape before it stopped. I think I'm just weak again and strengthening all those muscles will help stabilize the joints. Anyone who knows better than I and dissagrees, please let me know. For now I will be taking the advice I have had here and stretching and slowly lowering my squat by using a box.

 

[bignate73]

my suggestion is buy a foam roll and roll out your glutes and piriformis before. i commonly can't get comfortable in a deep squat, I'll foam roll for a couple minutes, and drop right into the bottom of a squat. I almost feel restricted and off balance because of the tightness, after rolling, no more restrictions all the way down.

give it a whirl, its only $15 for a foam roll and you'll use it for tons of stuff. glutes/piriformis, IT band, lower back, mid/lower traps, lats, quads, calves, TFL etc. alot of uses.

you can get all kinds on performbetter.com

they even have a new one made with a pvc pipe inside and foam on the outside for added firmness and longevity.

happy rolling!

 

[treilin]

http://www.drbackman.com/piriformis-muscle-stretch.htm
Ok, when doing this stretch it does not "hit" the same place. hmmmm

Neither does this one:

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/HipFlexors/KneelingHipFlexor.html

I am going to keep stretching (just in case) and doing box squats to strengthen. But I am at the point of thinking that it might just be a genetic issue with my hips. I realized that I failed to mention that quite often my hips "pop." When I was inshape before it stopped. I think I'm just weak again and strengthening all those muscles will help stabilize the joints. Anyone who knows better than I and dissagrees, please let me know. For now I will be taking the advice I have had here and stretching and slowly lowering my squat by using a box.

That second stretch targets more your psoas.
You really have to lean into it.
The first piriformis stretch may not be the best one for you. You can use that one I attached earlier in this thread or you can do that same stretch by standing: Stand on one leg rest the leg to be stretched on a waist high table or bed at a right angle (across the front of you) stretch your arms and reach as far forward as possible focusing on the piriformis. You may need to also start stretching your adductors out. Adductor magnus is also used in squats and that guy may be tight.
Just pick up a yoga video they torque your body all the ways you could think stretching it out.