How To Squat Properly: 3 Mistakes Harming Your Lower Back (FIX THESE!)
Of the common squat injuries, the lower back comes up as the most frequent site of injury. However, this doesn’t mean that the squat is a dangerous exercise, because it’s not. But this does mean that you need to pay careful consideration to your squat form, as there’s a few common squat exercise form mistakes that people make with it that can contribute to lower back pain and injury overtime. In this video I’ll go through exactly what those squat mistakes are and how to fix them so that you can improve your squat, avoid injury and build up stronger, pain free squats.
The first squat exercise form mistake you’re making is something called butt wink. Research seems to indicate that this subtle rounding of the lumbar spine is associated with spinal disc injuries and can become problematic over time. Most individuals experience this butt wink due to ankle mobility issues. And if you do struggle with ankle mobility, what you’ll want to do is incorporate daily ankle mobility stretches and before you squat.
Also, some “quick fixes” to your squat form:
1) Use a wider stance as this will enable you to squat deeper with less ankle mobility.
And
2) Invest in lifting shoes as these provide a heel lift which helps with your ankle mobility.
The next crucial mistake you’re making with your squats is something termed as the “good morning squat”, which is when the hips shoot up and rise at a much faster rate than the chest does. This is problematic because it increases the lumbar forces and shear stress experienced at the spine. To address this, you need to focus on keeping that chest upright during the ascent and ensuring that your hips aren’t shooting back behind you. If you struggle with this, then this likely has to do with both your motor coordination and a weakness in your quadriceps. To correct this, the best course of action would be to lighten the weight and start incorporating paused squats.
The last of the squat mistakes has to do with your breathing. Breathing in on the way down and breathing out on the way up is fine to do for most exercises that are less strenuous. But doing so when it comes to your more fatiguing sets of barbell squats is going to result in a ton of instability during the lift. Instead, you need to use a breathing technique that increases your intra-abdominal pressure. Take a big breath into your abdomen and then brace your core as if someone were about to punch your stomach. Then, keep bracing and hold this breath as you “go underwater” descend and ascend during your rep, and then exhale and reset at the top position as you come out of the water.
Here’s the exact action plan you’ll want to take to improve your squat.
1. If you experience excessive butt wink at the bottom of your squat, test if it’s due to ankle mobility instructions. If it is, perform daily ankle mobility exercises and avoid deep heavy squats (go to parallel instead) until your mobility improves.
2. Avoid the “good morning” squat where the hips shoot back as you come up from the bottom of the squat. To correct this, incorporate paused squats and think about “driving the chest up” out of the bottom position as you squat.
3. During your heavier sets of barbell squats, you can protect your lower back and add more stability by raising your IAP with the “underwater” breathing analogy presented earlier.
By being aware of these key points as you’re squatting and implementing the necessary fixes for them, you’ll be able to both alleviate any lower back pain you may be experiencing when squatting and better protect your lower back from injury in the long run. And if you’re looking for a science-based plan that optimizes your exercises and all the various aspects of your program for you in an easy to follow manner such that you can quickly build strength and size as effectively and as safely as possible with science, then simply take the analysis quiz below to discover which specific program is best for your body and where it’s currently at:
builtwithscience.com/bws-free...
LINK TO POWERLIFTING SHOES:
amzn.to/31pz8P7
Filmed by: Bruno Martin Del Campo
MUSIC:
Music by Ryan Little - Keep Quiet - thmatc.co/?l=1A891A6B
STUDIES:
INJURIES
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.semanticscholar.org/paper...
SPINE
pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6b22...
BUTT WINK
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
GOOD MORNING SQUAT
pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6b22...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8...
BREATHING
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...
Пікірлер: 1 700
What other exercises are you struggling with the most? Comment below and I’ll start making some videos dedicated to them! Hope you enjoyed this one!
@user-rc6oo6tw9z
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@SarthakSrivastava
4 жыл бұрын
Shoulder and Chest..
@abhishek4500
4 жыл бұрын
Deadlift Skull crusher Mid back workout (lower lats) Lower back workout
@vigneshbalachandran9704
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks dude
@afonsodeportugal
4 жыл бұрын
@@abhishek4500
The amount of attention to detail this man puts in his videos is something we should really appreciate more. From the research he does to the active info-graphics he displays while explaining everything. The fact that this info is free and easily accessible is something we take for granted. Just wanted to say thanks Jeremy, the hard work, professionalism, and effort you show has not gone unnoticed... at least by me it hasn’t.
@alonsoperez3547
3 жыл бұрын
You said it perfectly I’m a beginner and the information the way he delivers it is priceless this is the type of content that I was looking for and not just some stupid one or two minute video as a total newbie I need all the details all the nuances all the info
@janniboy2405
2 жыл бұрын
Word!
@HarrowNigga
2 жыл бұрын
arsenal 👌🏾
@yahuwan9566
2 жыл бұрын
Word !
@lewislinn1047
2 жыл бұрын
Very well stayed!
The breathing before going underwater cue is phenomenal!
@notme2554
4 жыл бұрын
Inhale with nose is better and exhale as u like by mouth is easier
@susanbertelsen8487
4 жыл бұрын
actually, he has the right idea but creating good IAP and maintaining that through a lift does not necessarily mean you "hold" your breathe. #core360belt
@rogerzhang461
4 жыл бұрын
Even I as a foreigner understood.
@edwardmeza3591
4 жыл бұрын
Do you brace first or take in the breathe ?
@tymorris1300
3 жыл бұрын
Not Me yeah it hard when I don’t breath at football practice
1:01 butt wink 4:30 hip rising too fast 6:58 breathing
@AP-44
3 жыл бұрын
👑
@zabintasrik4488
3 жыл бұрын
King move
@jowannaboyd3952
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!! He talks to much for me .. I love videos that get to the point
@mgtow-balance3409
3 жыл бұрын
@@jowannaboyd3952 same
@nurdanjotham896
3 жыл бұрын
THANKS!!!!
Why are 99% of personal trainers not trained to think like this? There are far too many injuries from people working out with "personal trainers" or physical therapists, because the professionals don't know or aren't trained to this extent. Thanks so much for your content, much needed for everyone!
@rockfella27
2 жыл бұрын
Because they go by bro science... They don't read books like Starting Strength.
@tommyharris5817
2 жыл бұрын
@@rockfella27 The Rippetoe squat (Starting Strength) is exactly the opposite of the style shown in the video. You must decide which style is for you, then perfect it.
@bobs-ox6xo
11 күн бұрын
I've got a slipped disc because of butt wink. I didn't know I was doing it wrong, and nobody in the gym told me anything.
The "think like going underwater" breathing comparison was beautiful. Please keep using more such comparisons because they help us to memorise the correct form easier. Great job Jeremy
I'm thoroughly impressed by the level of value in this value. Referencing papers and showing how to compensate safely -- all great things I haven't seen many (or any) other fitness leaders talk about.
@jkrasney1
2 жыл бұрын
Agreed 👍!
@jasminerathod9503
Жыл бұрын
Yes I've noticed that too, he reads literature. Idk if he has credentials as a physical therapist but he's certainly speaking at that level 👍 he's very good.
Holy shit dude this channel is unbelievable. The fitness industry NEEDS more content like this please keep up this really helpful format.
@ldp7090
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah it’s crazy right all this info for free. I bought some of his resistance bands to support
Probably the best back squat tuto I have ever seen in 32 years of workout 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
0:14 Deadlift was laughing so hard it didn't bother showing up
@josephmoore8864
4 жыл бұрын
It's not really deadlift's fault. It's people who think they can squat and deadlift the same or even adjacent days.
@dtonpbac
4 жыл бұрын
The irony is that both squats and deadlift are also the key exercises to strengthen the lower back muscles (which ultimately leads to less lower back pain/injury chances) according to Jeremy's, Athlean-X's videos etc. I think therefore, it's better to go med-high reps like 8-12 for these exercises..
@thedeathcake
4 жыл бұрын
No need to give up the deadlift if you're smart about training and don't push your body to hard. There's a guy in my gym in his 60's and he is moving about 150kg.
@thedeathcake
4 жыл бұрын
@@Jules-kp7rw I'm hope that will be me. As i say, if you are smart about it, even deadlifting 60 KG is more than doable, but i guess we'll see what condition the body is in and how I treat it (if I live that long!)
@kevinkumar3520
4 жыл бұрын
@@Jules-kp7rw if you say you have done research then please provide sources. Performing a deadlift and squat with correct form and progressive overload WON'T cause any injury nor pain
This video is amazing. Thank you so much. No yelling, no condescending comments, just science. So informative! I truly enjoy your style. Liked and followed. I struggle with the squat and this video is a game changer!!!
Love the underwater breathing cue very helpful!
@disneyfan_1237
2 жыл бұрын
Yo, you got a check mark.
@disneyfan_1237
2 жыл бұрын
Why did you stop uploading?
@donjosue1000
2 жыл бұрын
facts
@luieluu
2 жыл бұрын
Also it might help with abdomen strength which I definitely need some help on hahah
@Wishmaster145
2 жыл бұрын
I read breathing underwear....
You identified a problem I have and now I know what I need to do to fix it. Thank you. I love videos that are straight to the point but still have quality. Not too many you
I literally started your full body work outs this week and I felt lower back pain during the squats. Your timing is nuts!! Glad I’m following the right guy 🤙
Probably the best video I’ve seen so far. Right to the point. Great job! And thanks. Definitely will be watching my form more carefully with these considerations
I appreciate how well-informed and detailed you are in explaining the proper form for squatting. Thank you!
Like your presenting style, not shouting, not too fast, backed up with research, not self-obsessed. Thanks.
The breathing tip was the biggest game changer, I saw results immediately! And the visual/idea of going underwater was great! Thank you :D
Hey man, I was starting to get lower backpain and I was wondering why. Now I know, thanks awesome timing.
@dannyfinancial214
4 жыл бұрын
Same brother
@mikoethiofit
4 жыл бұрын
👍👍
@micky5545
4 жыл бұрын
Also make sure to train core mainly lowerback if ur gonna squat or deadlift more oftem
@DIMILifts
4 жыл бұрын
Micky core also being abs too.
@micky5545
4 жыл бұрын
@@DIMILifts no shit
Very happy to see this channel is NOT underrated and you're receiving the atention and views you deserve! Excellent video as always
It's so nice to actually get good quality info on YT about gym exercises. Thank you for these helpful tips
I'm studying to be a CPT and these videos genuinely teach me things I will use in the future with my clients. Thank you!
@dandytv1510
2 жыл бұрын
Hey! I'm actually quite curious about becoming one myself. What do you have to do?
This is such a thoroughly researched and relevant video! I was experiencing lower back pain while squatting and now I know why! Thanks a lot Jeremy!
@inwardheelallday
Жыл бұрын
Why was it?
@jasminerathod9503
Жыл бұрын
@@inwardheelallday when was it?
I've watched many videos but was never to fix the pain in my back during squats. Your videos provide so much foundation about why squats vary, and now I'm excited to see some great improvements when I'm back in the gym!
The information and delivery in this video is simply phenomenal! you must be the best fitness channel for those looking for a well rounded approach. thank you!
Great analogy for when to breathe and brace! First time I've seen it put that way. Very useful
The "underwater" breathing technique was just perfect! Thank you for this informative video. 🙏
Thank you for the amount of effort and research you put in the video. Very informative, well structured and easy to understand with the clear pictures.
This is AMAZING! The material about squatting that I’ve found so far. Congrats!!!
Awesome video. Highlights: 3:44 Ankle Mobility stretches to reduce butt wink, 6:13 Pause Squats to avoid the "good morning" squat, 6:30 Cue "Drive your chest *up* as you come out of the bottom position," 7:24 Breathing technique that increases intra-abdominal pressure
0:45 I have been doing this for last 6 years and today I understood why I have lower back pain. Even medicine was not working because it was actually my fault.
@wiwisjxkalnz
3 жыл бұрын
@Omer A stfu
@jamesandrew98x
3 жыл бұрын
Same here dude I'm only 22 yet I have back problems, turns out this is exactly why! I've been doing squats like this since I was 18 lol
@string-theocracy
3 жыл бұрын
Thinking about Light Yagami not doing squats properly is actually gonna haunt me for the rest of my life now, thanks
@giannis_G4
3 жыл бұрын
@@jamesandrew98x did your legs get stronger tho?
@jamesandrew98x
3 жыл бұрын
@@giannis_G4 Not really bc I was always hurting my back so I wasn't able to work out consistently. Now that I fixed my form I'm a lot more consistent
I've been searching for this info since forever... So glad I found your channel. Absolutely loved your video! Thanks for adding research material too 🥺
Making science accessible and having a visual component to aid with it. Wonderful. Thank you! Your hard work is not going unnoticed.
That breathing tip was really helpful. This was the first time I ever heard about that. Thank you.
It always amazes me the quality of the work that is behind these videos. Truly inspiring! Please dont ever stop posting content like this
4:36 I've searched through several videos and just needed a simple proper form example - this is EXACTLY what I needed!
I love the drawings that overlap the video to explain what he is talking about. Makes it so much easier to understand. I have pain in my lower back due to 70% reduction in discs making movement more restrictive.
Thanks for these tips. Will incorporate this on my next leg day to address my lower back issues. I almost broke my spine last night doing leg workouts. Hopefully I can learn the techniques easily ☺️
Thank you for your insightful video! It has helped me be more conscious about my squats and I believe leading to more effective results! Always great content 👍🏼
3 years later but….thank u! This is what I’ve been looking for. Detailed explanation and instruction, with visual examples and what we have to or need to correct these issues. As someone with chronic pain and health issues, it’s extremely important that I have perfect form. Thank you!
This is the most polished workout video I have seen so far. And it's free. 👏🏻👏🏻
You made a lot of good points in this video! I personally don’t experience a lot of pain when I squat but these pointers are important to keep in mind!
@surendrasinghdhaka
4 жыл бұрын
True
@ethanzhao3231
2 жыл бұрын
The point is using bad form may cause you to have aches/pains in the future through repetitive strain, even if it may not hurt now.
It’s insane how much effort and detail you put into your videos. I’ve binged watched so many of them and I can definitely say they’ve helped me improve a lot in the gym! Especially my pull ups. Keep it up 👍🏻
Thanks Jeremy! This was very helpful. Most of the squat videos don’t go into this much detail and now I have far better idea how to control my movement.
This is unique content I found on KZread, I'm impressed by every minor detail that you have mentioned in every video and thank you so much this is very helpful for me.
Hi Jeremy! I’ve have been following your tips that you’ve shared in squat and deadlift video and I have improved on my posture and gains from these lifts. Simple but highly effective techniques, thank you so much! In future if you could share some tips on how to progressively increase weight while doing these two lifts, would be great. Cheers!
7:45 wow!!! That's a brilliant explanation.You always share the invaluable videos and thanks a lot for this one, too.👍👍
Thank you so much for making this informative and insightful video. I can tell you put a lot of effort into these videos and I really appreciate them. I was actually making every single mistake you pointed out which explains why my lower back and specifically spine and discs are in pain.
You have my subscription! I came here looking for why my lower back was hurting after squats and after reviewing videos of myself squatting, I realized I’m guilty of butt winking! Thank you for not only talking about it but explaining why I might be doing it and ways I can fix it! This was awesome!
THANK YOU!! Actually going to the gym for leg day today✨✨
4:15 another one I'd recommend is think about shoving knees out. Most people's knees tend to cave in and not track over toes and instead can get in the way of the abdomen that's trying to get lower. Actively thinking of shoving knees out, in my exp., helps avoid this and helps make depth.
Brilliant. Talented yet humble fellow sharing his knowledge in an understandable and visually attractive way. I am a big fan 😀
Excellent content and editing. These videos are gems to keep on my KZread list. Let's start by lightening the bar and rehearse the form
Mob Psycho 100 episode 12 looks different.
@geckogaming451
2 жыл бұрын
Yo I thought I was the only one from The Normies
@ofesp.
Жыл бұрын
I’ve been looking for this comment
@Cheeser_w
7 ай бұрын
How is this related to mob psycho 😂
That breathing technique is also very important for the bench press as well, at least when you are doing sets where you are maxing out at whatever given rep range. You'll be able to get a lot more stability and power by holding your breath and bracing your core throughout the whole movement, only breathing out and in when your arms are fully extended and locked.
Damn dude, thanks for the breathing info. I've watched tons of vids on how to properly do squats, but only your vid has touched this subject. Awesome work man.
Best video i have seen citing evidence and linking facts into a plan. Great stuff! Looking forward to learning more from you my man!
*sigh* time to get outta bed to see if my butt is winking
@katherinerojas5504
3 жыл бұрын
LOL
@tommarlin8110
3 жыл бұрын
Using the phone in bed is one of my biggest obstacles. My best days are when I leave it on a shelf in a far room.
Love the skeletal gifs and descriptive arrows that show right/wrong movement directions. The underwater graphic simulation - money! So helpful!!!!
@tommyharris5817
2 жыл бұрын
I cringe when I see females squatting. Please do something else like knitting or cooking
@pemlhazeen8300
2 жыл бұрын
@@tommyharris5817 and i cringe when men start showing their misogyny. Soo just shut uo
@tommyharris5817
2 жыл бұрын
@@pemlhazeen8300 Only thinking about you chicks
Thanks Jeremy and team. I don't have ankle mobility issues but I wasn't stretching them enough, i.e., I wasn't moving the knees as forward as needed. Now I'm doing them correctly and I do feel the big difference.
The only go to channel I cloud trust more than my physician. Man you deserve appreciation !! Thank you so much Jeremy.
Good video, it helped me realise some mistakes that i do so that hopefully i can correct and become stronger, thanks a lot
This is GENIOUS! I probably do all 3 of these mistakes... :(
Just discovered this channel, thank God for you’re wisdom and that you so willingly share with everyone to help us on our journey.
Best squat video and I literally have seen hundreds!
The last breathing technique tip was a game changer for me. I actually only started doing this because I kept seeing other people do it when squatting. Truly makes a world of a difference lol
I have been a muscle build journey this year and i included weighted squats into it (Previously i only did free standing squats). I have been battling lower back tension and i could not figure out why. I had others look at my form and they said I was perfect. Watching your video i noticed the first item (butt wink) and when i reviewed my videos i had taken, i noticed you were RIGHT! My ankles are a tight spot for me, despite years of martial arts. So i put a set of weights behind my heal and re-recorded. The change was immediately visible. I have since bought lifting shoes and the lower back pain is gone! Thank you!!!!
Thanks for all the great tips - the ankle mobility exercises are definately something i need to incorporate.
I was just worrying about my squat issues since I experienced a weird ache in my coccyx the first time trying weigted squats! This video came out at the perfect timing for me, I definitely have super tight ankles and have always noticed butt wink on my deadlifts. A video focusing on ankle mobility would be great!
I skipped squats this week as I experienced lower back strain after I did them last week. I was really enjoying squatting, this is the video I needed.
Great Video, one of the best I watched on squatting cues. Very helpful. The underwater part of the video was great and helped me understand the breathing concept better. I appreciate your checklist with the greens and reds to point out correct form. Thanks for taking time to make such a well illustrated video explanation on squatting form.
Oh my gosh thank you! I have been doing the “good morning” squat all my life and this video has definitely helped!
That's the best way I've heard to describe the squat breathing technique
@ashish9hyyi142
3 жыл бұрын
wish they taught like this in school
On the topic of pausesquats i can definetly confirm it pretty much fixed my butt shooting up faster than my chest EDIT: nice production value rarely seen with informative quality content, so thanks for that jeremy
I really appreciated this video. It felt very professional, and I loved how thoroughly you explained the science behind everything. Thanks for saving my back! :D
Concise info, awesome video comparisons and easily understood fixes. Well put together Jeremy!
Jeremy must have some tracking cookies installed on my computer or something because he always uploads exactly what I need when I need it. Unbelievable
Needed this!!!!
This video was well-made and informative. You obviously brought together a lot of research and even did exercises improperly as examples of what not to and then the correct procedure afterward. Thank you for all the work.
The editing, research, and explanation is the best I’ve seen from even some of the best fitness ytubers
Well done Jeremy I like..what i would like for u to do is a exercise for your lower latw and proper form..I find that they're very hard to build..thank u and I await this video..keep up the good work..
Ep 12 of mob psycho looks different here???
Love your videos. Just found you today and the science behind your training paired with the visual muscle groups and skeletal system are super helpful!
This video was so helpful! Thank you so much :) Explaining all the scientific causes behind the mistakes is so great because i can understand better what is wrong.
I did your knee lat pull down the other day, i have to say that it really is effective.
@youtubeuser6725
3 жыл бұрын
tf..
I swear you always make videos right on time😂
Damn, I love your videos. They are always science-based, perfectly explained and understandable even for neophytes, with papers extracts, animations, graphs etc... Your work is amazing.
Unbelievably useful advice pure quality love the detailed breakdown my lower back was hurting never put it down to ankle mobility! That is useful, very useful.
I love that someone has done a full reaction playlist of mob100 and this is in the middle of it
@fate7669
Жыл бұрын
the normies...
Couple weeks ago I was struggling with my last squat rep and I pulled the bar down during the rep. Ever since then, whenever I do squats a muscle on my upper back has been sore...
@why539
4 жыл бұрын
15,000 Subscribers With No Videos Challenge i think you have ebola
@shadowrealm6
3 жыл бұрын
Same thing happened to me a couple years ago. I think ur muscle is spasming to protect the lower back.
@ms.therapie163
3 жыл бұрын
@@cactusmalone hm yes, Google has a KZread account now?
@dougstevens4726
2 жыл бұрын
Bonjour
👏👏👏 such a high quality video thank you! Love how you avoid unecessary intro blabla and your instructions and advice are crystal clear. Also great underwater squatting haha 😄
Awesome explanation... Never heard in detailed information about squats. Jeremy you are very knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing . Appreciate your efforts 🙏
these info grahpics are lit
You are the best gym trainer I've ever seen. I can only wish to you by saying thanks. Absolutely Salute you for keeping us fit. God bless you.
Your a legend brother just starting out my weight loss you’ve motivated me to do so and your helping me a lot. Keep up the good work. 👍
Amazing breakdown of the squat! These graphs and angles are extremely useful and esthetic!
2:28, Gotta love the 'Skeletor' comment there (lol), even Jeremy has his geeky sci-fi/fantasy side love too! Sweet man. 😎😁
Someone at The Normies is trying to get fit lol
Thanks mate, that definitely improved my squat and prevented lower back injury. Worth watching your videos.
As soon as I saw that you were using references I subscribed, finally a channel that uses actual investigation to spread awareness 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻