Rip wasn't kiddin', was he? A revelation.

[MashedTaters]

When doing your squats, get the $%*# bar LOW! Finally, I get it now.

I've read the books, looked at online videos by Rip and other's form checks, read the forum, even went to observe at the Iron Fest. Today, finally, I got it.

My lower back has been a little out of sorts for the last month or so. The problem, I now see, is that the bar was too high, creating a moment arm and putting excess stress on the lumbar. Well, I think that's the correct analysis.

Today, I forced the bar low. It was a struggle and it was uncomfortable as hell, but when I completed my squats, my back felt GREAT.

Now, I just need someone to tell me that my shoulders will adjust and adapt.

Thanks for reading.

[Brian Jones]

They will adjust and adapt. My first few warm up sets my shoulders are a mess. As a matter of fact - my first set of 10 with just the bar my hands are nearly out near where the plates reside. I just make sure that each warm up set they are in a little more; keep my elbows up and thumbs on top - -they will slide in. This may help also - -I don't think slide hands in so much as I think pinching my shoulder blades together. Pinch the shoulder blades together THEN slide your hands in. You can do it.

[Mark E. Hurling]

I'm your age more or less, and yes, the first few sets are indeed a challenge to the shoulders. It takes at least 3 sets get even moderately less uncomfortable in my shoulders. I am VERY inflexible through my shoulders.

Also, the low bar position among other things cured my back problems resulting from squats.

[George Christiansen]

You can do your presses/bench first and that will likely help. I prefer that order myself because doing so seems to have no effect on squats, but sometimes squat wreck you enough to effect the upper body stuff.

[SJB]

They will adjust and adapt. My first few warm up sets my shoulders are a mess. As a matter of fact - my first set of 10 with just the bar my hands are nearly out near where the plates reside. I just make sure that each warm up set they are in a little more; keep my elbows up and thumbs on top - -they will slide in. This may help also - -I don't think slide hands in so much as I think pinching my shoulder blades together. Pinch the shoulder blades together THEN slide your hands in. You can do it.

Wheres the gif Brian?

[MashedTaters]

Thanks for stoppin' by, guys. Exactly what I needed to hear. What I experienced is tracking y'all's advice/comments perfectly.

I pinched the shoulders (imagine trying to hold a pencil between shoulder blades), tried to bring hands closer as I worked through sets, kept elbows up, and gritted my teeth while I squatted. Can't lie; my shoulders ached, bad, especially the right shoulder. Got some issues there. It's why I don't bench.

But, MAN, I can't get over how good it feels to nail this down. I just feel tired tonight - not beat up at all - and I had a darn good workout. Still doing novice LP.

Gotta say it again - SS is a game changer.

[Brian Jones]

Wheres the gif Brian?

Starting Strength is good for me . . Starting Strength is good for me. . .

[krazyduck]

I don't have this problem, but I heard that pec stretches and shoulder dislocates before squatting may help.

[SJB]

Starting Strength is good for me . . Starting Strength is good for me. . .

Much better. I thought Rip said you were banned unless a gif was included in all your posts?

[Brian Jones]

Much better. I thought Rip said you were banned unless a gif was included in all your posts?

You are correct. The pressure that dude puts on me . . if you guys only knew.. .