I'm so happy! Thank you squats!

This is silly, but that's okay.

So. I've been lifting weights for like 8 months with rather insignificant gains b/c I wasn't eating in a calorie surplus.

Then, this summer, I started eating more and switched to the free weights. Two months ago I had never done a squat or free weights, simple awed over Mistress Krista (stumptous.com) and dreamed.

But then I said hey, screw it, I can do this.

After much work on form and lots of a little "you can do it!, screw all these college guys staring at you for being in the weight room!" pep talks.  I am happy to report that yesterday I squatted 70 lbs for the first time, with correct form, in my 10 rep sets! Usually I was squatting 65 on my heavy days of 5 reps.

Oh jeez, I love squatting.  My legs look awesome.

Thanks for listening. :) :)

Cool!  Good for you.

Squats! My next endevour! I'm really looking forward to conquering this beast (yes, beast!) I tried some squats last week for the first time ever and was blown away at how challenging they are.

Congrats!

I love squats!!!

Mortal Monkey - just start out with no weight to make sure you get the form correct...do not let your knees go in front of your toes.  When you get this hard part down then add weights.  Some days I do them with a large stability ball against a wall then my back to the ball and then go down, coming back up is horrible, then add weights to it....you feel it!  I have also been doing 5x5 with each set increasing weight; on the last set I am doing 95 pounds, tomorrow I am adding 5 pounds to each set; this is with a barbell on my shoulders.

Happy squating Soy and Mortal Monkey!!!!

 

Hooray for squats! I just learned how to do a squat and did two sets of 15 yesterday with the bar. You've got me excited to add weight as I gain confidence in the form.

Its not just not letting your knees go in front of your toes- its not letting your knees go in front of your ankles.
When you first are learning how to do it, it should feel almost like you are about to fall over backwards.
Essentially, you should be able to lift your toes up when you are coming up in a squat, because the weight should be on the back of your foot.

Yay for you kmk33- keep it up!

Original Post by soy_vey:

This is silly, but that's okay.

 Mistress Krista (stumptous.com) and dreamed.

 

 yes i like mistress krista too. & its not silly to be thankful.

Original Post by soy_vey:

Its not just not letting your knees go in front of your toes- its not letting your knees go in front of your ankles.
When you first are learning how to do it, it should feel almost like you are about to fall over backwards.
Essentially, you should be able to lift your toes up when you are coming up in a squat, because the weight should be on the back of your foot.

Yay for you kmk33- keep it up!

 I've heard that it's fine to let your knees go past your toes (and definitely your ankles! - Look at the pics on Mistress Krista's site, and you tell me that she is keeping her knees over her ankles?http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displayarticle. php?aid=54). And the toes would depend on how long your feet are - I have short feet, does that mean I can't squat as far? My understanding is that it might be slightly better to keep knees from going over toes, but when you prevent yourself from going further, you risk harm to hips and back - see what Cosgrove wrote about it: http://www.alwyncosgrove.com/leg-training-myt hs.html

But as you said, the weight should definitely be on your heels, and you should be able to lift your toes off the ground. And the knees shouldn't skew in or out, for sure.

Original Post by soy_vey:

Its not just not letting your knees go in front of your toes- its not letting your knees go in front of your ankles.

 It's not possible to do a squat without your knees going over your ankles, your knees must move forward as your butt moves back if you are to remain balanced.

The knees going over your toes thing is also a myth (as described by Cosgrove in Amethystgirl's link).  How far you can squat safely depends on your joint mobility and your bone structure, not how big your feet are.

Watch some olympic weight lifting, just about everyone's knees are in front of their toes during the squat portions of their lifts (while holding huge amounts of weight) and knee injuries in that sport are very rare.

yeah i do full squats for the last month or so & so far no problems.

*Stands corrected*

i love love love love squats <333

Original Post by soy_vey:

*Stands corrected*

wouldn't it be *squats corrected*? but just because what people tell you may be true doesn't mean you can't b**ch slap them if you want. it makes me feel better.

Hmmm...I do ballet squats, because those are the ones I understand :D I have been doing them at 12-15 reps over the last month and a half and have built up to 15s, just about to move up to 17.5 but I haven't seen any super results...I have fat thighs :/ I can feel my legs getting stronger though, and I'm going to keep trucking! When did you first start seeing results??? Share!! :D

I started noticing a difference by being able to  add more weight.  It is a bit hard to see definition at this point because I still have some fluff on my thighs.....and belly.  Anyway I just love the fact that I am getting stronger.

I have to say that I watched myself doing squats in the mirror this morning and was all...HOW THE HELL DO I KEEP MY KNEES NOT OVER MY ANKLES???  I was thinking that I was some freak of nature for being unable LOLOL.

Quick question....I do squats either 2 or 3 days a week (I do FULL body strength alternating M/W/F or T/TH week to week) holding 15 pounders on each side (whoo hoo up from 10 today!).  I do 50-60 reps split between upper body stuff...plus 60 reps on the leg press.  'Zat too much???

 

Puppykisses, I can SEE the definition but it's still buried under my, erm, fluff and it's making me insane.  Come out come out!!!

musicismydestiny - unless you are using some specific set/rep scheme, I'd do 3 sets of 12 reps for squats like you would any other exercise. I'm not sure how redundant leg press and squats are - maybe someone else will have an opinion.

 Leg presses usually place more strain on your lower back and spine to no real purpose as long as you're doing squats; squats work the same muscle groups except safer and better.

 Doing ultra-high rep work has merit if you're in need of extra strength and endurance, like a hill-climbing biker, a downhill skier, a speed skater or other sports-specific needs; or if you're a performer who needs to jump around a lot on stage.

 Kep in mind that endurance training is an adjunct to strength training for most populations. I wouldn't do only endurance work outside of some very narrow athletic subgroups who need to avoid having muscle mass in their legs...

Amethyst thanks for the articles they were really interesting.  Everytime you post an article (plus some other knowledgeable lifters) I read and try to absorb every word.

Melkor,  thanks for all of your advice on lifting in general.  It is great to be going down the right path.  In just 2 weeks of doing the 5x5 lifting I am feeling a real difference.  For instance when squating I started and 45, 65,75,85,95 doing 5 reps with each set.  On Wednesday a trainer came up to me and said to add more weight and do 10 reps at the lower weight and then the 2 highest weights do to fatigue.  So, I started at 60,70,80 (got 10 reps out of each) then I was able to do 9 reps at 90 and barely 5 at 100 (needed spotter assistance with 4 and 5 at 100).  I was also able to lower the weight on assisted chin ups - 55 lbs (15 first set 12 second set).  My chest presses are getting better but slowly.  The highest weight is 25lbs in each hand.  I do set 4 and 5 with this number and can only do 5 each.  In a few weeks I hope to be up to 30 in each hand.  Anyway, I would still be wasting my time with 15 pound dumb bells if it was not for your advice.  Thanks!  Oh and I would still be doing leg presses also  I am 5'2" and holding at 130 pounds (like to get to 120)..I will be 43 next week; are the weights I am lifting ok or wimpy?

Thanks also to Amythest and floggingsully, I am sorry if I am forgetting anyone.

Rookie lifters take their advice you will feel and see amazing results!!!

I should have just started a new thread???