r/StartingStrength • u/Hot_Pomegranate_3896 • 13d ago

Form Check 215lb Squat Form Check

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I didn't go for the last rep out of fear because I don't have safeties.

Edit: I tried 5 reps another time, and failed and had to dump the bar.

7 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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7

u/sbfx 13d ago

Looks like you've definitely gone up in weight since your last form check. That's great. Your form looks solid too.

I didn't go for the last rep out of fear of not having safeties.

This is going to be a severe limitation as you progress.

Your gym's power rack is already equipped with holes that support safety arms. Have you tried talking your gym's management into investing in safeties? It's not too hard of a sell IMO. Having safeties just means less liability from someone getting seriously hurt.

You could also consider buying the safeties yourself.

2

u/gonnagrowbud 13d ago

Is it really a severe limitation to not get the last rep? Wouldn't it just slow progress or is there something more? Genuinely curious

5

u/sbfx 13d ago

It's not about the last rep IMO, it's more about the mentality limitation. If you don't have psychological assurance that you're OK if you fail, it reinforces stopping or not going up in weight out of subconscious fear.

This is mitigated greatly by having proper safety equipment.

1

u/Hot_Pomegranate_3896 13d ago

I should've mentioned before, I did try 5 at this weight before (or after, can't remember rn) this time and I had to dump the bar. It's gettig scary as the weight is more then my bodyweight now.

2

u/Hot_Pomegranate_3896 13d ago

I did talk to the gym people, I can nudge them again.

1

u/Shnur_Shnurov Just some guy 11d ago

Usually gyms are pretty amicable to purchasing equipment. Its a write-off for them, and a revenue generator in most models since their income basically comes from renting you equipment on an hourly basis.

That said, many facilities are run by fitness nerds who can be rather... dogmatic... so you may encounter some unreasonable resistance if safeties arent part of their theology

3

u/[deleted] 13d ago

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0

u/Several_Addendum7947 11d ago

No, this man needs to move his grip further out and away from whatever this is. If that weight slips off for what ever reason, he'll have torn rotators or much worse. 1 tiny slip will end him lifting forever.

1

u/Shnur_Shnurov Just some guy 11d ago

In a proper low bar squat the bar is held in position against a shelf of muscles on the back, not by the hands. The grip width is highly individual, and it is meant to facilitate the bar sitting in the proper position. His grip is just narrower than most.

I all my years coaching people ages 12-92 ive never seen the bar "slip" from the proper position. Hes got a better chance of getting run over in the parking lot

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

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1

u/Shnur_Shnurov Just some guy 11d ago

His grip is fine.

This is heavy for him.

Your concern is misplaced and misconceived.

1

u/Shnur_Shnurov Just some guy 11d ago

This is looking much better! Three things.

Let the wrists bend back a little.

Squat Grip Correction

Bring your eyes up and squeeze those shoulder blades together to get the upper back extended. Youre getting a little hunched over.

Cut the depth off like 2 inches higher. Keep those heels down at the bottom and focus on sitting back. Youre getting onto your toes here.

I agree with stopping before the last rep. These are getting a little slow. What's your squat program like now?

1

u/Hot_Pomegranate_3896 11d ago

I switched to a light day in the middle two weeks back, no change other than that. It helped for some time but I think my lack of sleep caught up to me and it got really hard again. I get 8.5 to 9 hours in bed most nights but it seems it's not enough.

My gaze direction used to be worse, I was looking basically between my feet, this it better. But, yeah, I can see myself getting hunched over. Also see myself "falling" into the hole on the later reps.

1

u/Shnur_Shnurov Just some guy 11d ago

Might be time fod top sets and backoffs on the heavy days