Nancy and I completed our 1RM measurements. You can watch our chronicle of events over at Muscle Ventures. We talk about our strategy for measuring 1RMs and then show ourselves doing them.
I don't think we got down far enough on the squats, as yo can see in the picture of Nancy at the left.
My major takeaway from the 1RM exercise is that we have to work on both strength and technique.
Technique is a lot of of getting depth in your squat. Couple of suggestions for you. If you can lift in your socks or get some Chucks or Olympic lifting shoes. Chucks are cheap and they make a world of difference. I notice in the photo of Nancy that she's got her knees a bit out over her toes. Not great, but cross training shoes will have a tendency to push you forward.
Second suggestion, if you aren't doing it already, is to break at the hips first and then at the knees. So stick your butt out first and then bend with the knees. I've found when I do this I get better depth and I'm not so far out over my toes.
Posted by: Chris D. | June 01, 2006 at 19:52
oh yeah...box squats and front squats help with depth as well. And working the mobility helps as well (I highly suggest Eric Cressey's stuff...which I'm sure you've picked up on!).
Posted by: Chris D. | June 01, 2006 at 19:53
Chris, these are some great suggestions. I've seen mention of Cressey, but have not looked him up.
Nancy does have form issues. We'll get into the Cressey stuff.
Posted by: Bud Gibson | June 01, 2006 at 20:30
Now I feel sutipd. That's cleared it up for me
Posted by: Kaylin | May 04, 2011 at 04:14