Group: Experienced Exercise

Created: 2012/01/01, Members: 50, Messages: 19484

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Squat Question

dgjesu3
dgjesu3
Posts: 104
Joined: 2006/11/13
United States
2006/12/28, 02:12 AM
Ok, I think there are other people who have the same problem/question. I guess my achilles tendon isn't very flexible or something, because I can't squat down (no bar or weight or anything), and keep my feet flat. However, when I squat with weight, I spread my feet out a little wide and the weight tends to keep my feet on the ground, flat. I've seen people place a 2.5 lb or 5 lb plate under their feet when they squat. Is this ok to do, or did I misinterpret the 2.5 lb plate?
7707mutt
7707mutt
Posts: 7,686
Joined: 2002/06/18
United States
2006/12/29, 07:50 AM
I think you solved it in your post....you said that you can NOT keep you feet on the ground without weight on the bar. Then you say that "when I squat with weight, I spread my feet out a little wide and the weight tends to keep my feet on the ground, " so what is the problem? YOu fixed it by spreading your feet out. Foot placement is a huge thing with squats....took me a while to get it right and I am constanly adjusting it each workout.....

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Curl Jockeys, get outta the squat rack!

Warning:Deadlifting going on!

7707mutt@freetrainers.com
wrestler125
wrestler125
Posts: 4,619
Joined: 2004/01/27
United States
2006/12/29, 01:40 PM
Yea, I'm still adjusting my foot placement everytime I squat as my hips get better.

Calf flexibility is not likely a problem. It's probably something further down the line. Think about it, your ankle doesn't actually flex all that much, unless you are doing it wrong.

Stretch your hips and sit back further when you squat.

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Iron and chalk.
dgjesu3
dgjesu3
Posts: 104
Joined: 2006/11/13
United States
2006/12/29, 04:50 PM
Yeah, I guess I did answer my own question. I'll just have to squat with my feet a little wider compared to some people. I think it is primarily a flexibility issue with my heels, because I've had a lot of ankle injuries throughout my life.
adalos
adalos
Posts: 174
Joined: 2006/02/04
United States
2006/12/29, 04:58 PM
i've had tendon issues in my ankles since i was a toddler (walked on my toes). so i run into the same issue with my squats and deadlifts. i just have to use a wider stance to compensate, or else i can't do the lift properly (for fear of falling backwards). i also found pointing my toes out helps a lot. it kind of annoys me when i watch people do squats and deads and then try to mimic their movements (without weights even), and simply can't do it because my body doesn't work like that when it comes to balance.
dgjesu3
dgjesu3
Posts: 104
Joined: 2006/11/13
United States
2006/12/30, 05:43 PM
Yeah, you pretty much summed up the exact problem I have. I'm unable to keep my feet flat and balance myself, while others can do it naturally.