Constantly stiff on SS

[Huskalator]

My groin, lateral part of calves, and back are constantly stiff when doing SS. I currently stretch and foam roll apx 1-2 hrs per day. That is getting old and tough to maintain but if I don't do that my squat goes to shit and I can only do about a 1/2 squat. My adductors will literally not let me get past 1/2 squat unless I aggressively stretch them out the day before and the day of squatting.

Any tips, advice, comments?

I like the the strength gains and body composition change from SS but I feel very unathletic at the moment and stretching as much as I do is not sustainable over the long run.

[David Geiger]

Age? Height/Weight? How long have you been lifting/what's your programming? What are your work sets? Have you had your technique checked?

[Huskalator]

35yo 5'9" 193lbs

I've been lifting and exercising for most of my life. I have been trying to do SS for about a year and a half with mobility issues most of the way. Been spending a lot of time troubleshooting mobility.

I had my squat technique video taken for my own critique but have not submitted anything for anyone else to check. The video helped me identify mobility issues in my squat. I have had some success in correcting these through stretching but like I mentioned in the OP it takes a lot of stretching and after a lifting day I'm basically back to square one.

Current work sets:
Squat 3x5 @195
Bench 3x5 @190
Dead 3x5 @315

[Fiddler]

You stretch before you train? That's counterproductive, according to most reports. Proper warmup should be all the stretching you need; certainly is for me, and I'm twice your age. I used to stretch after working out, but gave that up as a waste of time as well.

I'd seriously have someone qualified take a close look at your technique. It's pretty rare that actual ROM issues prevent one from doing the lifts properly. BTW: Why, after a year and a half, are you still doing 3 sets of deadlifts? Somethiing tells me you're NDTP.

[Huskalator]

You stretch before you train? That's counterproductive, according to most reports. Proper warmup should be all the stretching you need; certainly is for me, and I'm twice your age. I used to stretch after working out, but gave that up as a waste of time as well.

I'd seriously have someone qualified take a close look at your technique. It's pretty rare that actual ROM issues prevent one from doing the lifts properly. BTW: Why, after a year and a half, are you still doing 3 sets of deadlifts? Somethiing tells me you're NDTP.

Yes I stretch before I train. I'm aware of the research. I stretch because I have to or I cannot complete a full squat. I stretch at home until I can do a full ROM squat with a broom handle. Then I know I'm ready to go to the gym.

Oops, 3x315 is not accurate. More accurately I do 1x185 and 1x245, then 1x315. I have had lots of stops and starts with the program due to the mobility issues and attempts to fix them. I played soccer one day a week and blamed a lot of my issues on that however I have not played soccer in a couple months and still need to stretch just as much as ever. If I take a break from the program for three weeks or so I regain full mobility.

[I_iz_a_fatass]

I would strongly recommend posting up your videos and getting critique; what you consider good form may not be to more trained eyes.

[Huskalator]

I would strongly recommend posting up your videos and getting critique; what you consider good form may not be to more trained eyes.

I plan to tomorrow when I squat to cover my bases but I have doubts that my form is so bad it is causing major ROM issues.

[bondageboy]

As an experiment, try upping your calorie & protein intake by 50% for a week and see what happens.

[Fiddler]

Yes I stretch before I train. I'm aware of the research. I stretch because I have to or I cannot complete a full squat. I stretch at home until I can do a full ROM squat with a broom handle. Then I know I'm ready to go to the gym.

Have you tried just warming up with an empty bar or even a little more weight, (instead of a broomstick) until you can complete a full squat? That way you'll still be loose up when you start your actual warmup sets, and you'll warm up a lot quicker. I had one guy, @55 year old musician with NO athletic experience and 3 ruptured discs who couldn't come close to a full squat, but in about 3 or 4 weeks, training twice a week and adding weight each time, we had him squatting to depth with good form and some appreciable weight on the bar.

[manveer]

I would strongly recommend posting up your videos and getting critique; what you consider good form may not be to more trained eyes.

+1