Comments on: SquatRx

SquatRx

jason's_planet — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:49:32 -0800

SquatRx is a series of videos focusing on proper form and technique in the Barbell Squat. Topics include how to correct lower back rounding, the use of bands and chains, and how to set up a Westside regimen.

By: Shutter

Shutter — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:17:15 -0800

I'm a big fan of what he did with this series of videos. I ran accross them back on the crossfit.com forums and found the troubleshooting and breadth of advice very helpful for improving form. There are a few threads over there where he and others get into rather lengthy and in depth discussion of the back squat. I'll try to dig them up when I get home.

By: exogenous

exogenous — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:24:30 -0800

Squats rock. They used to be may favorite exercise back when I lifted weights. There's something Atlas-like in lifting a heavy barbell on your shoulders.

By: tkchrist

tkchrist — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:06:04 -0800

SquatRX is AWESOME. Back before I blew my knees out running I really enjoyed those videos. Watching them now makes me sad — I'm weak like a kitten and I couldn't squat without excruciating agony. Me sad.

By: the cuban

the cuban — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:44:04 -0800

Great videos.

By: maudlin

maudlin — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:56:25 -0800

I miss barbell squats. I may join a gym again just to do them properly again.

By: Smedleyman

Smedleyman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:05:28 -0800

Hey, nice!

By: Khalad

Khalad — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 19:49:36 -0800

The squat is pretty much always ranked as the #1 weightlifting exercise, followed by the deadlift at #2. I say, whatever! The squat is overrated, man. The deadlift is where it's at. It's fun and brutal. It's sexy. Viva la deadlift!

By: jason's_planet

jason's_planet — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:55:49 -0800

There are a few threads over there where he and others get into rather lengthy and in depth discussion of the back squat. I'll try to dig them up when I get home. Those would be a really nice addition to this thread. If you do manage to dig those up, I'd be forever in your debt. They used to be may favorite exercise back when I lifted weights. There's something Atlas-like in lifting a heavy barbell on your shoulders. Mine too. The squat hits the central nervous system in a big way and always gives me a soaring, powerful feeling I can't duplicate with endless rounds of isolation exercises. Of course, this being MetaFilter, some people will feel differently: The squat is overrated, man. The deadlift is where it's at. It's fun and brutal. It's sexy. Viva la deadlift! The deadlift has its charms too. It's very primal. And you cannot fake it. You can't use tricks of technique. You can't add weight to your lift with assistance clothing. When all is said and done, you can either lift that weight to lockout or you can't. I remember seeing a commenter on one of these videos urging johnnymnemonic2 to make a series for the deadlift. I'm definitely keeping my eyes open for that one. Watching them now makes me sad — I'm weak like a kitten and I couldn't squat without excruciating agony. Me sad. Aw, shit. That sucks, man. Do you have a physical therapist? (Thanks to everyone who commented, favorited, complimented, or otherwise contributed to this post!)

By: redteam

redteam — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:32:30 -0800

For best results, squat daily.

By: tiburon

tiburon — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:33:41 -0800

The latest edition of Starting Strength by Mark Rippletoe has an excellent, detailed discussion of the squat.

By: tiburon

tiburon — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:37:07 -0800

Here is an excerpt from the intro to Starting Strength. Physical strength is the most important thing in life. This is true whether we want it to be or not. As humanity has developed throughout history, physical strength has become less critical to our daily existence, but no less important to our lives. Our strength, more than any other thing we possess, still determines the quality and the quantity of our time here in these bodies. Whereas previously our physical strength determined how much food we ate and how warm and dry we stayed, it now merely determines how well we function in these new surroundings we have crafted for ourselves as our culture has accumulated. But we are still animals – our physical existence is, in the final analysis, the only one that actually matters. A weak man is not as happy as that same man would be if he were strong. This reality is offensive to some people who would like the intellectual or spiritual to take precedence. It is instructive to see what happens to these very people as their squat strength goes up.

By: jason's_planet

jason's_planet — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:28:25 -0800

I love that book. And that is one of my favorite passages. Very direct and to the point.