MWF Squat/Deadlifts Too Much?

[lastmox77]

I'm finally going back to the gym after a shoulder impingement issue, discovered Mark's book, and have started to do the program. I have done 2 workouts so far, starting w/ light weights, warmup sets, etc., have not had any trouble finishing the work sets, but I woke up this morning with a slight ache in my knees--I'm 36, skinny (6'0 150lb) and I'm wondering if maybe all the leg work every other day is too much? Should I cut it down to once/week in the beginning? Any thoughts?

[Mac Ward]

You probably started with too much weight and are squatting with shitty form. Post a video and lets take a look.

[lastmox77]

Thanks Mac--I took a few videos last night--just using the bar since my knees are still aching a bit. Now that can see myself it looks to me like I'm actually doing a high-bar squat, even though the bar felt like it was down far enough. Anyway, any advice you could give would be appreciated. I posted a press and empty-bar deadlift also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEZQBA_ClI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkcUNov2s_o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=416Qvhvp2tY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CliYTEl0xb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikZyxIDg_Mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQztMJ-ekZ4

[lastmox77]

Thanks Mac, I've posted some videos below:

squats:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikZyxIDg_Mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQztMJ-ekZ4

deadlift (empty bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEZQBA_ClI
press (empty bar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkcUNov2s_o

[lastmox77]

Hi Mac--I tried replying twice w/ a couple sets of vids but no response--were any received? Maybe I did something wrong trying to reply.

[Tom Campitelli]

Sometimes it takes us a few days to get to things, especially if they are buried on the back pages. Don't throw six or seven videos at us at one time. Remember, we are doing this for free and watching videos and writing something intelligent about them takes time. Pick one exercise at a working weight for five reps. No empty bar stuff. It's not useful. One video.

[jillingworth]

Remember, we are doing this for free and watching videos and writing something intelligent about them takes time

Amen.

[Mac Ward]

I watched only the empty bar squat video. We cannot really learn anything from an empty bar movement, but what I can tell you is that you are not squatting the way we teach.

1) Bar is too high.
2) Depth is lacking
3) You need to stand up at the top of each rep.

Have you read the book?

[lastmox77]

Thanks guys-sorry about posting too many videos. I had never done a low-bar squat until I read Mark's book, so I guess when I took the video the bar felt like it was lower than it actually was. I re-read the section in the book about squatting and i think I have the bar placement right, the only issue I have now is that when I rotate my elbows back so that the bar can sit on my rear delts, it aggravates my right rotary cuff (I've had problems with it in the past). I will keep working on it and will post a video.

[Mac Ward]

Move your hands out a little bit.