Question about Squats

[E-Dawg]

After reading the sticky on OLY squats a couple months ago I changed the way I did squats. From what I have read I have been doing them right, but for some reason a narrow stance does not work for me, it gives me pain in the knees, so I do a shoulder width stance which allows me to get very low, my ass is about 8inches from the ground, with no knee stress. Is that ok to do them with a shoulder width stance? I have been doing them barefoot which seems to help, but my heels want to pop-up when I get low. Would lifting shoes help? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[E-Dawg]

I just noticed....I am no longer a junior member....I am now a "member", muahhahaha...sweet.

[J DUB]

Shoulder width is fine...that's pretty much an oly squat. I would still throw in some wide stance squats though to work your hips more.

As far as your heels coming up, be sure your weight is shifted to your heels and not the front as you squat. Some people have tight heel cords, and this can be corrected by leaning against a wall at about a 45 degree angle, put one leg in front of you with knee bent and the other behind you. Slightly bend the leg behind you until you feel a stretch in your achilles. Do this for a while and it should help.

[Grizzly]

Should width is pretty narrow, IMO. That's about where my feets go. They might be slightly inside of my shoulders, but right about there seems right to me.

It also helps if you set your feet at 45 degree angles. That way your knees go out to the sides so your ass can fit inbetween your legs at the bottom position.

[E-Dawg]

For some reason I thought my stance was to wide, I am actually more cofortable doing them wide, so I will stop trying to be so narrow, and being naturally duck-footed I will have no problem sticking my toes out at 45 degrees. Thanks for the tips guys.......grrrreatly appreciated.