Greg thanks so much for this video. I sometimes get a sharp pin in my knee as I squat and I suspected bad technique: this helps. When I transition to no bands what can I do to prevent the pain? I’m going to share this on my Facebook page
Clear and straight at the point. In the beginnings i used walls and chairs but now i am ok with the form. About how deep you can go i think it might be related to the joints flexibility and also body fat.
Great video Greg, your squats are so low! How about a video on how to get a deeper squat? NB I have no particular issues with correct form just need to get lower
I’m going to try this. I feel like my legs are strong but my form when free squatting is terrible and my knees knock in so this will be a great starting point for me to correct what is wrong! Thank you for posting.
Initially I just put some kind of support under my heels. One or one and a half inch will do. Once comfortable one can do away with this support just like with the band.
Hi Greg,
Love the idea of using a resistance band for squats. Ive been doind my squats be holding on to my pool fence and using it to stabilise me. Using a band is something I think Ill swap to as it will be more of a challenge for my balance. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Greg, great tip. The only comment I would make is that there is no need to squat beyond the point where your thighs are parallel to the floor. It is not good for the knee joints. Loving kettlebells.
Thanks Suz, but I disagree with the your comment about squatting deeper than parallel. If you watch infant development or people in Asia working on the ground the deep Squat is very natural and healthy. The knee joint is designed to bend deeper than 90 degrees, it increases important mobility and pumps vital nutrients into the joint. Unfortunately, too many of us spend our days sitting which restricts and weakens this movement. We should all be improving the strength and depth of our squats for daily life and better mobility as we age.
I absolutely agree, knees, even more illustrative of being designed for more than a 90 degree bend. Those of us who’ve traveled through Asia, of course have been confronted in restrooms by the signatures of their notorious ability to squat hahaha.
What really bring home squatting makes for happy knees is my dairy farmer father-in-law. He happily sat on heels a hundred times a day and never had a knee problem until a year after retirement. Then on, from age 72 he slowly developed knee issues. Sadly we didn’t know about kettlebells, or barbell squats restoring health in those days.
Loosing mobility brought on all kinds of grumpy consequences to everyone’s misfortune. I’m 68 now. Couldn’t go parallel for years until I was introduced to goblet squats in 2012. I’m engaged in barbell squats now and found paused squats with my body weight on my shoulders surprising have taken the last tweaks of pain out of my knees. Seems, like you wrote, squatting underweight swells the cushioning muscles provide in deep squats, aligns knees and increases nutrient flow to the joint.
Apparently we’re never to old to learn. BTW, with heavier weight I’m still challenged to sit back on my heels. I’ll work with your suggestions, thanks so very much with sharing you accumulated experience/wisdom.
Bev says
July 9, 2018 at 5:49 pmThis is perfect Thank you
Siyan says
October 20, 2017 at 11:40 amGreg thanks so much for this video. I sometimes get a sharp pin in my knee as I squat and I suspected bad technique: this helps. When I transition to no bands what can I do to prevent the pain? I’m going to share this on my Facebook page
Dragos says
October 17, 2017 at 8:42 pmClear and straight at the point. In the beginnings i used walls and chairs but now i am ok with the form. About how deep you can go i think it might be related to the joints flexibility and also body fat.
Rebekah says
October 16, 2017 at 6:45 pmGreat video Greg, your squats are so low! How about a video on how to get a deeper squat? NB I have no particular issues with correct form just need to get lower
ROBERT J DERISI says
October 16, 2017 at 4:51 pmThis looks like a different but effective to start a client
Mary says
October 16, 2017 at 1:28 pmI’m going to try this. I feel like my legs are strong but my form when free squatting is terrible and my knees knock in so this will be a great starting point for me to correct what is wrong! Thank you for posting.
Greg Brookes says
October 16, 2017 at 1:33 pmSounds good Mary, to improve your knees knocking you can place a band around your knees and then push outwards with your knees as you squat.
Stevenson says
October 16, 2017 at 3:45 pmVery Instructive
Andrea says
October 17, 2017 at 1:01 pmThat’s really good advice. I’m going to try the bands around my knees.
Alfred Epprecht says
October 16, 2017 at 12:24 pmInitially I just put some kind of support under my heels. One or one and a half inch will do. Once comfortable one can do away with this support just like with the band.
Emma says
October 16, 2017 at 10:59 amHi Greg,
Love the idea of using a resistance band for squats. Ive been doind my squats be holding on to my pool fence and using it to stabilise me. Using a band is something I think Ill swap to as it will be more of a challenge for my balance. Thanks for sharing!
Greg Brookes says
October 16, 2017 at 11:11 amYes Emma, I think you will really benefit from the instability that the band offers over holding something solid. Best of luck
Suz says
October 16, 2017 at 10:35 amHi Greg, great tip. The only comment I would make is that there is no need to squat beyond the point where your thighs are parallel to the floor. It is not good for the knee joints. Loving kettlebells.
Greg Brookes says
October 16, 2017 at 10:53 amThanks Suz, but I disagree with the your comment about squatting deeper than parallel. If you watch infant development or people in Asia working on the ground the deep Squat is very natural and healthy. The knee joint is designed to bend deeper than 90 degrees, it increases important mobility and pumps vital nutrients into the joint. Unfortunately, too many of us spend our days sitting which restricts and weakens this movement. We should all be improving the strength and depth of our squats for daily life and better mobility as we age.
Satya Newday says
July 9, 2018 at 7:04 pmHey Greg,
I absolutely agree, knees, even more illustrative of being designed for more than a 90 degree bend. Those of us who’ve traveled through Asia, of course have been confronted in restrooms by the signatures of their notorious ability to squat hahaha.
What really bring home squatting makes for happy knees is my dairy farmer father-in-law. He happily sat on heels a hundred times a day and never had a knee problem until a year after retirement. Then on, from age 72 he slowly developed knee issues. Sadly we didn’t know about kettlebells, or barbell squats restoring health in those days.
Loosing mobility brought on all kinds of grumpy consequences to everyone’s misfortune. I’m 68 now. Couldn’t go parallel for years until I was introduced to goblet squats in 2012. I’m engaged in barbell squats now and found paused squats with my body weight on my shoulders surprising have taken the last tweaks of pain out of my knees. Seems, like you wrote, squatting underweight swells the cushioning muscles provide in deep squats, aligns knees and increases nutrient flow to the joint.
Apparently we’re never to old to learn. BTW, with heavier weight I’m still challenged to sit back on my heels. I’ll work with your suggestions, thanks so very much with sharing you accumulated experience/wisdom.
Izelle says
October 16, 2017 at 10:35 amWow! Thank you so much. Had difficulty to get my clients to do the squat correctly. This will help alot.