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Squat Improvement Strategy

Posted Aug 22 2011 10:00pm

I haven’t been able to post for a while since my computer has been on the fritz. …or maybe that’s just my excuse for not having much to write about lately.

There’s a bit of news on the fitness front:

I’m thinking of taking kickboxing classes. I dropped in to a boxing club today to learn more about their schedule and pricing and what the classes are like. I’m going back on Wednesday to try out a class and see how I like it. Is it normal to be excited to kick someone’s ass? I don’t think there’s any actual ass-kicking that goes down, but I will find out and report back.

Another thing: I’ve been spending a lot of time squatting. Yup. I’m trying to perfect my squats. I have an issue with short ankle tendons combined with tight anterior tibialis that makes it uncomfortable for me to squat without my heels raised up a bit. I’ve been relegating me to half squats all the time. So my plan is to start back with deeper squats and low weight and work my way up again.

Here’s a breakdown of my SIS

1. Sit your ass down, girl.

I put a step with 5 risers on each end perpendicular to the bar.

I prep for my squat—get the weight on my back, stand with my feet on opposite sides of the step, get psyched up, and maybe grunt a bit for good measure. (My feet are slightly wider than hip width which makes the movement easier on my shins and ankles)

I squat down until my bum touches the step, then I press back up into standing position.

It looks a lot like this video except maybe with 125lb less weight, nbd.

 

2. Take 5 . . . by 5

I’m doing squats every time I weight train and using the 5×5 method to build up my strength.

The idea behind the 5×5 method is simple– do 5 sets of 5 reps of the exercise and increase the load by 5lbs every time I train.

If I can’t do 5 sets of 5 reps in proper form then I keep the load the same the every time I train until I finally can.

5 sets; 5 reps; 5 pounds. Simple, simple method.

So far I’m up to 135lbs which is not too shabby, but definitely can use improvement. Matt said I probably won’t be able to get up to 200lb. I beg to differ… It’s going to happen.


Any squatting tips? Please share!

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