Back Squat Basics

19. May, 2010 3 Comments

Many strength coaches think the back squat is the “King” of all lifts.  I happen to agree with them.  There are so many great weighted exercises but you will always go right back to the basics with a traditional back squat.  This one exercise will train the entire body each and every rep; not to mention that it will build strength and power like no other.  Many believe squatting to be bad for the knees and it can be if done incorrectly.  Guess what, the bench press can be bad for the shoulders if done wrong also.  Heck just about any exercise can be bad for you in some way if done incorrectly.  This is why I think it is important to look at the basics of this very important lift.  You need to learn the basics before moving forward and advancing in anything you do.  This is exactly the reason I put together this video.  Ask anyone who has ever done any of my programs and you will find them telling you about squatting being a major foundation throughout the phases.

Always complete a great warm-up prior to starting any exercise routine and do no rush to try and squat tons of weight.  If anything, be more conservative and “really” learn the lift and you will accomplish much heavier weights in the long run without getting hurt along the way.

My set and rep schemes will be anything from eight sets of two reps, five sets of five reps, or even three sets of twenty reps.  That is the beauty of developing a training program based on producing a predetermined result.  Results come from hard work and you guessed it….Squatting!!

To your health,

Jerry

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Fitness Training, Power Lifting
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3 Responses to “Back Squat Basics”

  1. Brian Fetterman 02. Jun, 2010 at 10:12 AM

    Coach,
    Love the point about squeezing the bar and being able to feel everything “tighten”. This is undoubtedly one of the most over looked aspects of teaching the squat.

  2. Jerry Shreck 02. Jun, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    Brian,
    That is one of the first things I cover when teaching the back squat.

  3. John 04. Jul, 2010 at 5:09 PM

    Great Video, never thought about squeezing bar bit either and very well done about not making a fuss of the how far to go down. I teach parralel as a minimum and deep as prefered.
    And it dont bust yer knees up!
    Stay Well Stay Happy
    John

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