[JohnGafnea]

I'm doing my best to use propper form (back straight, head up, feet at shoulder width, toes pointed a little out, and going a below parallel), but it always hurts when at the bottom of a rep. Is this something everyone experiences? I feel as though I could do much more weight if I didn't have this problem, but if it's normal I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Thanks.

[windwords7]

Could be a lot of things bro.

[Biggs]

Originally posted by JohnGafnea
Is this something everyone experiences?

...no. you broke your ****.


does it feel piched? like sharp, shooting type of pain right when you reach a certain point, or what? could be lots of things, WW is right... maybe try to be a little more specific? is it all located in the lumbar area? upper or lower? do you notice similar pain when you simply bend down and touch your toes, or rotate your torso? I think maybe you have a slight preexisting situation that is being aggravated by the squats, am not sure by any means tho... is leg pressing a problem at all?

[G.E.SUPERHUMAN]

Originally posted by JohnGafnea
I'm doing my best to use propper form (back straight, head up, feet at shoulder width, toes pointed a little out, and going a below parallel), but it always hurts when at the bottom of a rep. Is this something everyone experiences? I feel as though I could do much more weight if I didn't have this problem, but if it's normal I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Thanks.

It means start thinking about incorporating a deadlift regimen into ur routine

[JohnGafnea]

It's like in the lower part of my spine it feels like, kinda sharp. Leg Presses are no problem.

I already do DL, no problems either.

[wardog]

try looking up to where the cieling meets the wall during the entire movement. If I do not do that, I get the same pain.

[sage]

ive always looked straight ahead. never had a problem and balance is right on. this i strongly believe is the most optimal squat form for spinal alignment. looking up will help your body move up from the descend up to the top however i dont think its best. Any agreements /disagreements? Sage

[crazypete]

yeah, i agree with sage. is flexibility an issue? if it is, it could cause your lower back to flatten putting stress on muscles or on nerves in that compressed and strained state. stretching would alleviate some or most of this pain or perhaps you may have some adhesions which need to be broken up. it is hard to make a diagnosis without proper medical testing (not necessary MDs, but some professional). or maybe you have a weak stabilizer muscle that is being irritaed at the bottom. these are all possibilities. don't rush to self diagnose if it is serious, see the right people. if you can't squat with proper form without pain, then i would find what is wrong and fix it rather than let it build up to the point where you become useless. i'd rather run to the doctor like a little baby than not be able to walk when i'm older.

cheers, pete

[jweave23]

How is your deadlift weight compared to your squat weight? Maybe you do have a weak lower back? Also another possibility is trying inversion tables or gravity boots, could take some pressure off. Just throwing out some ideas off the top of my head, good luck.

[windwords7]

You could have some pinched neves going on that are simply being taxed to such a degree that they finally hurt when your doing the movement. It's worth seeing if a chiropractor can help in a few visits.

[JohnGafnea]

All good ideas; thanks guys.