Am I just really weak or am I doing them wrong?

Posted by Laura Marie on June 26, 2013 at 7:28am

I joined this group because I want to build strength and stability in my legs/abs, and also want to tone them.

I must be really weak, but I can only do 50 squats at a time without plopping to the floor in agony. Really. Am I doing them wrong? I usually put my hands behind my head when I do them, and squat down until my thighs/butt are touching my calves. Am I squatting too far? Should I be bending my legs less?

Any help/tips would be appreciated; I feel like such a weakling! :(

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Replies

  • Sky Diaz January 5, 2014 at 1:46pm

    Squat like a baby! Thats the best form.  Back straight, head in line with the spine, feet flat on the ground.  Legs can either be facing forward shoulder width apart, or beyond should width with feet pointed slightly outward.  If your heels come off the ground, you arent flexible/strong enough yet, dont squat as low. 

    Looking up while your are squating also helps.  Breath in while your going down, and exhale while your going up.  Try not to hyper extend the knees and try to form a pace while your counting. 

    You could also try to do it in sets of 20 with 30 second breaks inbetween.  When you get to 100 easily, start doing more!

  • Amy August 23, 2013 at 2:20am
    Yes your squatting too far. That's too much strain on the legs. Only go till the tops of your thighs are parallel or just above parallel to the floor. Feet just a bit wider than hips. Keep knees tracking behind your toes. Should never come out past toes. That's for safely.
    • Sky Diaz > Amy January 5, 2014 at 1:47pm

      Thats a bit subjective... Ass to the grass is the way to go IMO.

  • Dovima July 2, 2013 at 2:51pm

    I'm not clear if we're supposed to end up bending forward or should we keep our backs straight?

    • Laura Marie > Dovima July 4, 2013 at 9:37am

      Good question!

      I usually end up bending my back a little bit forward. I think the important thing is to keep your chest up. Don't quote me on that though! :)

       

  • Zeta Reticuli July 2, 2013 at 2:32pm

    Yeah, when starting out, don't take your knees past 90 degrees.

    Also, when you stand back up, don't straighten your legs to the point where your knees lock.

    Another thing, I keep my leg muscles tensed the whole time. I find that if I relax at any time during the movement, when I go back from relaxed to tensed, my knees clunk.

  • Laura Marie June 30, 2013 at 5:50am

    HEY! I did 100 yesterday, 50 then 3-5 minute break, then another 50. It was so much better on my knees and I was breathing hard and my legs hurt, but I definitely wasn't huffing and puffing/killing myself like I was before. Thank you all for the tips! :)

    • Maxim Evsikov > Laura Marie July 1, 2013 at 1:56pm

      Nice! I've noticed that it isn't really hard for your legs to get used to the work load farther you go. I've been doing 100 squats a day for a week now and I just did a 100 in one set (well I took 10sec in the mid way). Felt awesome.

  • Paul Wieringa June 26, 2013 at 8:26am

    Just go down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. You could put a piece of string between to chairs behind you and stop when you touch the string. 

    Going too far is too hard on your knees. 

    It might just take you a bit longer to build up to 100 than others but keep doing them. 

    • Laura Marie > Paul Wieringa June 28, 2013 at 2:09am

      Thank you, that's a good idea!! I'll keep working

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