MONDAY MUSINGS - WHY YOU CAN'T SQUAT #5/5
By Island Rehab Hub
Bite-sized tips to get you thinking on a Monday. Following on from last week, we dive into part five of ‘5 Reasons You Can’t Squat’ and briefly examine another very common problem.
‘Coaching is key for distinguishing between efficient and inefficient technique.’
Dr Spencer Brown
Squats are, in my opinion, an awesome exercise for just about anything! However, as with all exercises this is only the case when the squat is performed correctly. With this in mind here’s my take on why most people have difficulty squatting.
#5 – You’ve not been shown how to squat!
The Problem:
You may not have a strength & conditioning coach, personal trainer, group exercise instructor or physiotherapist; or your personal trainer, group exercise instructor and physiotherapist don’t know how to squat! Either way, proper coaching to get the most out of the squat is essential because the feedback you receive, whether verbal or physical, cannot be substituted by technology.
The Solution:
Finding someone who can coach a technically correct squat can be difficult. I have witnessed many highly qualified personal trainers, group exercise instructors and physiotherapist totally get this wrong. It’s not their fault, they’ve been taught a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to lifting weights. The crucial thing is, not everyone will look the same when they squat. This is simply because of different combinations of torso and limb lengths; this makes the popular, but erroneous, coaching point ‘your knees shouldn’t pass your toes’ completely redundant – who started that anyway? 🤔
‘Not everyone will look the same at the bottom of their squat.’
Therefore, make sure you find someone who can spot your inefficiencies, deficits and dysfunctions and correct them. It doesn’t matter if you’re squatting your bodyweight or 315lbs, get instruction on safe and efficient squat technique.
Look for blog posts to follow ranging in topics from general fitness, strength training and CrossFit to knee problems,
reasons why people are in pain and why I don't recommend over-stretching the hip flexors.
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