Squat form check + Questions

[unruhschuh]

Hi Mark,

today I finally startet the Practical Programming Novice Program. I would love to do Starting Strength, but my gym lacks a Platform for Power Cleans.

For finding the right weights I did what you said in the book, i.e. starting with an empty bar and adding weight until the speed decreases. I found the following weights:

Squat: 3x5x60kg/132lbs
Bench: 3x5x45kg/100lbs
Deadlift: 1x5x80kg/176lbs

Are these numbers reasonable? I'm 1,75m/5ft 9in and weigh 80kg/176lbs. I did bodybuilding splits before that included deadlifts (3x8x60kg) and half-squads (3x10x60kg) once or twice a week.

This is my 2nd work set of the squats with 132lbs:

Squat form check

The 4th rep seems a little wiggly, I think I forgot to shove out the knees and lost concentration. During the last set my left knee hurt a little.

And thanks for the book, it's the best read I ever had about weightlifting. The dvd is awesome, too!

Tom

[Mark Rippetoe]

The video angle is terrible, but you are almost certainly high. Toes pointed out more, knees out more, commit to the depth. The numbers look fine. Now, get strong. Good luck.

[unruhschuh]

By "high" you mean depth? Is the bar position right?

Thanks Mark!

What would be the ideal camera position and angle so that you can see what's going an? Maybe you could post a sample video in a sticky threat in this forum to show the people what you need to check their squats/deadlifts/... .

[Mark Rippetoe]

The depth of the squat is inadequate. The camera angle has been dealt with millions of times here. Rear oblique is the preferred position, with the camera at eye height. Do your homework before posting.

[unruhschuh]

Your tip was dead on! Today I used a tiny little wider stance, pointed the toes more out, shoved the knees out and boom: I went farther down and no knee problems what so ever. Thanks man!

Regarding homework: I looked up the sticky thread "Posting videos on this board." and I expected an instruction about how to video the squat and guessed I might not be the only one. Anyway, I just think it would save you some time and explaining.