00:00 - 00:45 [Intro] 00:46 - 01:36 [3 pillars of a good squat] 01:36 - 04:15 [Balance] 04:16 - 05:53 [Range of motion] 05:54 - 08:23 [Back angle] 08:24 - 09:28 [Should I high bar squat or low bar squat?] 09:29 - 10:45 [How to squat with a barbell] 10:46 - 11:20 [Breathing] 11:21 - 11:46 [Adding weight] 11:47 - 12:22 [Where should I look?] 12:23 - end [The Beginner Prescription]
The evolution of the How to Squat series reflects Alan’s impressive knowledge, teaching ability, and humility. Each video in the series is great, and yet each one is better than the last. Thanks for the excellent content Alan, happy to be learning from your learnings!
Shows difference between produkt designed to make sheckels (cough CurleanX$$ cough) and a genuine honest person. Alan should collab with not a dr at some point- get similar Vibe from both.
Hey Alan, my name is Ryan from Austin, Texas. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the content you’ve put out throughout the years. I think I started watching you in 2016 and have passionately pursued lifting ever since. Hope you and your family are well, -Ryan
I learned how to squat years ago from Alan "Bearded Man" Thrall and Candito. This video will serve as another guiding light for a newer generation of lifter (unless they end up finding Jeff Cavaliere's channel first in which case they'll get really good at cable movements)
Your older video's on squatting have been my textbook for doing squats. This is like a new issue of that textbook. As in: it's even better. Oh and: your dry humor's the best :). Thanks Alan!
I love the straightforward, actionable tips that you offer. So many times I have heard confusing advice like “pay attention to bar path” which means so little when I’m actually under a bar.
The "Toes forward if you have a loose/too-deep squat" tip worked for me too. I tried to bring my feet out wider for a while last year but my hips didn't like it. I ended up bringing my feet back in to a comfortable stance but with toes pointing more forward and it did the trick. I'm still a little low but I'm stronger at the bottom of the lift.
Alan, out of all the squat videos I’ve seen, watching this one beats every single one of them. Balance IS key to the squat! You made it sound so simple. Great video man
Alan, thank you so much. After years and years of flirting with the squat but never committing, this was the video that sealed the deal. I am an over thinker, and would always leave the rack so frustrated because I was trying to get every little detail right and couldn't get my form correct. After watching this video I told myself two things: start the movement with your hips, then sit down as you focus on staying balanced across your feet with chest up. When I got to the bottom, I repeated; start drive with the hips then focus on staying balanced across my feet as I drive with my hips and chest up. I could actually feel each individual leg, from my calves to my glutes, and felt it even on my inner groin. I have never felt it like that when squatting, and I knew immediately my form was much better and I could build from this. Idk if you'll read this, but thank you seriously. I've been battling insecurity and self doubt, and this has given me a reason to get back in the gym. These are much more than just workout youtube videos.
Thanks Alan, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with squat cues as of late, and I felt they weren't getting any better. Thank you for the simplification, this was just what I needed!
Hey Alan, you won't see this but I'm glad you did this video. I learned to squat through your 2016 videos, but a lot of other videos compete with different messages about how to do their versions. There is too much information on the squat out there, so it's great to see you've learned and refined your approach for us early converts.
Thank you, I learned more about how to squat in the 13 minutes of this video than I have in years of trying to figure it out. You are an excellent teacher. I love how you demystify squatting and make things really clear and concise while assuring viewers that their own physiology is going to mean they'll squat in their own unique way and that's ok. I've got some significant mobility problems so I find squatting frustrating and not enjoyable and I'm really trying to change that. The balance cue was like a lightbulb moment for me - I think this will really help. Definitely a keeper to watch again. 😁
Thanks Alan you are a master explainer. You make things very simple and doable. I learned squat, deadlift and OHP from you. Lots of love and respect from a small town in India 🇮🇳
I really like that you show different types of bodies doing squats - men, women, small, big, thin, bulky, older, younger. Suddenly my own squats doesn't feel as awkward or "not according to the book".
this is perhaps the best SQ video on RU-vid ... it does not favor 1 type of SQ over another and instead focuses on the principles shared across all safe and controlled SQ forms
Bang on video. So many videos on RU-vid overcomplicating technique, nutrition, programming. Simple and effective is the way to go - two things have stopped me lifting in the past. Overcomplicating it (sucking the joy out of it) and injuring myself. Nailing down good natural form really needn't be hard.
@@PinataOblongata You wouldn't go how far? So far your prolapsed colon hit the floor, or so far as to call that comment "fucking hilarious"? If the latter, I thought it was fucking hilarious, but that's the beautiful thing about social media; everyone is allowed to have an opinion, even if others disagree with that opinion.
The "Don't Curl In Me" flag behind the squat cage is sublime. The gym where I lift has, I believe, seven full squat cages and one more open squat rack, and I've never had to wait to kick off my squat session...until yesterday. All were full and, of course, one was occupied by a guy doing barbell curls. The struggle is real.
I watch a lot of your vids because you are funny crazy and strong and technical. But most importantly, unlike most, I feel your sincerity and passion. Keep On being the Untamed Animal that you are. Bless.
Made my wife watch this in order to improve her form. "Back angle" was the cue allowing her to find out for some reason she has hip mobility issue. Don't know what to do about it yet, but at least this video helped her find out what was going wrong !
Have been following Alan since his first 'How to Squat' videos and rewatching each iteration for more than once. Learn new insights everytime. Thank you for doing this throughout the years, Alan.
Alan, if you see this, I just wanted to say that you've been a massive help in my training. You have fantastic information of the big lifts. I hope that you and your family stay happy, healthy, and prosperous.
Wow. Absolutely confirming what my squats have been telling me. No matter how great form is, trying to precisely imitate another's form without being aware of center of gravity can create many problems. This adds somuch to the fundamentals of any squat. How do I so a squat? If you are off balance, whatever you are doing needs corrected and you, the lifter, should quickly learn your center. That will add mounds off confidence to the squat
This video was posted while I was doing squats using form I learned from Alan’s videos, and from Mark Rippetoe. I am in my mid-40s, and I could never stay with a squat or deadlift program without getting injured until I started following Mark and Alan. Listen to these men!!!!!
I injured my lower back squatting the other day and searched for Alan's video and here it is - uploaded the same day! Universe is telling me something for sure
This is pretty darn awesome. I came back from my leg day, and I did change a couple of things after having watched another of Alan's videos on squatting - the most major one was that I used to have my head too high (I basically looked myself in the eyes in the mirror), but when I put my head down a little, it felt easier. When it comes to squats and deadlifts, there is nothing that can replace proper form, and I'm happy to say, I think my form is improving. I'll take this with me for the next leg day, ok?
I spent weeks analyzing my squat and arrived at these conclusions in my own-especially the balance part. I wish I had found this video earlier. Nice work!
I've been working on balance and it's been helping so much. I have a tendency to be heavy in my heels and it makes it hard to use my quads out of the hole.
Best squat video yet! Just simple first principles. Focussing on keeping the distribution of weight through my feet constant really helped with my balance. Thanks.
Always good to recap the basics video. Don't know about others here, but in the UK haven't been in the gym for 16 weeks due to the "new normal" and they'll finally be open on 25th - so feel like I'm a newbie all over again.
I'm glad you posted this. the past month I think I watched three of your squat videos. Last week I watched the one you posted of Baraki. I was completely confused afterwards. So thanks for the clarification and the advice to not overthink it.
The balance one is for sure the most important. I recently realised that I was trying to stay way too upright in my highbar skwaats. The wobble and forward shift was messing up my knees. Even high bar squats need torso lean to balance you. Now squats make my knees feel better, not worse.
Thanks a lot for all of your quality videos Alan ! Funny, clear, accurate, and also very easy to understand for none native English speakers. You're making people wanna lift Cheers from France :)
Glad I found this video, and your channel. Subscribed. Love the humor, and quality content. Just had my squat session and I applied those simple principles, it felt better than before. I was definitely over-thinking it and focusing on details at the expense of those pillars.
Thanks for the video! I appreciate the simplification of the whole idea. Back when I was healthy enough to try to exercise, squats were always frustrating because I had no idea whether I was doing anything right or wrong. This simplified approach would have been helpful.
Hi Alan, Years ago your 5 step deadlift video solved the "Deadlift Dillima & over engineering "for me. Since then I have deadlifted more and secure. Have not listened to any other instructions or cues since your 5 steps are still working well. . . Hope this video is going to solve the squats problem forever..!!! Keep up the good work and pls cover bench and overhead press likewise..!!!
I am trying to get material for my thesis from your video and you just randomly film from the elevator or give that sexy tool in the "angle shot", I love you man lol
