Groin Pain During Squats

[colimcf]

G'day Mark

I have been following your 'Starting Strength' programme for a couple of months. I have been making steady progress.However as the squats started to get heavy, I noticed discomfort in my groin/inner thigh region on both legs. This did not improve and seemed to get worse as I increased weight. It was only apparent during squatting and I decided to discontinue squats for a time.

I was recently reading elsewhere that older trainees(I'm 47) need to take it slower as their connective tissues take longer to adapt than younger lifters.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you have any advise?

Looking forward to your reply

Regards
Colin McFerran
Brisbane Australia

[Mark Rippetoe]

Anytime you experience pain that gradually increases over time in one muscle group or joint, there is most likely a technique problem. I'd suspect your stance is too wide, but it could be other things.

[JBlack]

Same thing happend to me. It got so bad, I almost had to stop squatting.

Now its fixed 10o% due to:

1- Squat shoes
2- Bar lower on back (wider grip)

[colimcf]

Anytime you experience pain that gradually increases over time in one muscle group or joint, there is most likely a technique problem. I'd suspect your stance is too wide, but it could be other things.

Mark

Thanks for the reply. I don't think my stance is too wide. I use about shoulder width with feet flared out around 30 degrees. This seems natural to me.

I also sometimes notice a tendency for for my hips to move across to one side - my right(I'm a right footer) - when rising from the low position. I have to fight this. Does this give any clue?

I'm 6'1" and of slim build. I've always felt 'weak' in the hip/pelvic area. Perhaps it's a function of my build?


Regards
Colin

[Mark Rippetoe]

It might. Maybe you should change your build.

[elVarouza]

I also sometimes notice a tendency for for my hips to move across to one side - my right(I'm a right footer) - when rising from the low position. I have to fight this. Does this give any clue?

I had the same problem for a bit. I found this is fixed by actively shoving the knees out during the squat and making sure they stayed shoved out on both the descent and the ascent. This also tends to fix a bunch of other problems too.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Is the pain at the point of muscle insertion on the pelvis or down in the muscle belly?