Squat - Form check. Progress or deload?

[Bender]

Hey there!

Just managed to pass by 225 lbs but I'm not sure about my technique being good enough for me in order to proceed adding weights or if I should deload and work on it a bit more.

What do you people think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef4ExHErFHQ

[RussB]

tough to tell from the angle. might be a little high, might have some knees buckling inwards, so shove them out hard. i'm not a good judge but it didn't seem like there was much hip drive. need to shove those elbows up, too, they seemed to be under the bar.

none of these things looked so bad to me, i would march forward while tightening up the form.

my standard disclaimer: most other posters in the technique section are way more experienced at critiquing form, so their advice trumps mine. i'm just trying to get some practice and offer some help. it helps me critique my own squats.

[PackMule]

Point your toes out, knees out, look down, thumbs on top of the bar, wrists straight, and get more depth.

Have you read the book?

[Bender]

Point your toes out, knees out, look down, thumbs on top of the bar, wrists straight, and get more depth.

Have you read the book?

I've read the book and tried to follow what it describes. The thing is that if I did my form was even worse. For instance; if i point out my toes more my knees buckle in at a lot less weight. If I look down I lose my back and have even a harder time with the depth. So I tried to experiment with a way that would work for me (while reading up on a lot of other articles from experienced people).

I feel though like some points are valid. Haven't given the thumbs and wrists any thought.

The depth is something I always try to improve. Question is if I go deep enough now to proceed.

Thanks for the replies!

[poppunk]

I've read the book and tried to follow what it describes. The thing is that if I did my form was even worse. For instance; if i point out my toes more my knees buckle in at a lot less weight. If I look down I lose my back and have even a harder time with the depth. So I tried to experiment with a way that would work for me (while reading up on a lot of other articles from experienced people).

I feel though like some points are valid. Haven't given the thumbs and wrists any thought.

The depth is something I always try to improve. Question is if I go deep enough now to proceed.

Thanks for the replies!

Your grip is going to cause injuries once the weight gets heavy. All that weight coming back on your wrists is going to fuck up your wrists and elbows.

The reason Rippetoe writes that you should look down for your focal point is to keep your cervical spine in a natural position to be safe.

As far as looking down and pointing your toes out go, you may not be being honest with yourself on how much weight you should be doing at this point. If you can't keep your back straight when you're using the "Rip required" focal point that may be an indicator. If you can't keep your knees together at a width and angle that makes sense that probably is as well.

[Bender]

Your grip is going to cause injuries once the weight gets heavy. All that weight coming back on your wrists is going to fuck up your wrists and elbows.

The reason Rippetoe writes that you should look down for your focal point is to keep your cervical spine in a natural position to be safe.

As far as looking down and pointing your toes out go, you may not be being honest with yourself on how much weight you should be doing at this point. If you can't keep your back straight when you're using the "Rip required" focal point that may be an indicator. If you can't keep your knees together at a width and angle that makes sense that probably is as well.

Seems to me that a deload and technique improvements is the way to go then!

Thanks for the reply.