"All joggers should be hooked up to treadmills and forced to generate electricity." - Edward Abbey

That is interesting. I like the sample pages on the website about squats, a movement with which I am struggling at the moment - why is it so difficult to get the technique right?

But I agree, I always feel better mentally when I'm in shape physically. Actually I am in shape, it's just that that shape is somewhat spherical.

why is it so difficult to get the technique right?

because it's a full-body movement, complicated by the presence of a large weight on your shoulders.

Also, most people in Western societies develop tightness in the hip area because we don't squat to depth the way people in other cultures do. That makes the barbell squat more difficult.

But I hear you. I'm having a little trouble with it myself. Sometimes the weight is uneven on my shoulders. Sometimes I lean forward too much. Sometimes my feet are unevenly spaced.

It's difficult. But very rewarding when you get it right.

wow, thanks for posting this j_p!

::runs off to buy a copy for client use::

oh, and...

Also, most people in Western societies develop tightness in the hip area because we don't squat to depth the way people in other cultures do. That makes the barbell squat more difficult.

not to mention most people don't have enough strength / capability in the core / stabilising muscles to competently balance a loaded squat for about the first 6-8 weeks of adaptation.

i start off most of my students with unweighted squats, using a yoga ball behind the back against a wall. this both helps build correct form/posture and strengthens the stabilisers without the added complication of trying to balance a loaded squat. it's baby steps, admittedly, but once they're able to take on weighted squats, there are fewer form breaks and they're generally performing a much more competent range of motion.

ideally you want to train correct form. when i see students struggling to achieve loaded squats, basically all they're doing is training poor form, and this can invite injury, among other things.

i've heard a good personal trainer liken attempts to do loaded squats with weak or incompetent core stability as being analogous to trying to 'push string'... if that makes any sense.

you can make unloaded squats (with the ball) as hard as you want, by going very slowly, doing 'dips' (1/2 range of motion @ the bottom of the squat), 'holding' the squat for a four (or more) counts at the bottom, and/or performing them one-legged. the yoga ball adds the complication of forcing the student to use their lats / hips / abs / transverse abs / spinal erectors to keep them steady.

you really want to fuck with 'em, once they get cocky, ask them to do 'ball squats' whilst standing on a balance mat. one-legged. yes, i'm sadistic. it works.

most of the cycling guys i coach, when they get done with their winter regime (90 days in the gym), can stand upright, unaided on a yoga ball. that's how good their stability and balance / proprioception becomes from doing these (and other) exercises. one kid could even perform a planch (one-legged pose) on the ball, and hold it for up to fifteen seconds.

this is not just loony cirque d'soleil stuff i'm teaching them. it has serious benefits to agility and strength both on the bike and in daily activities.

wow lfr I've been looking for some yoga ball exercises, especially for squat and core strengthening. Do you ever do any work with other balancing devices like vew-do boards?

wow, thanks for posting this j_p!

you're welcome. thank you for posting your own coaching experiences with the stability ball variations.

which is not loony cirque d'soleil stuff at all. i've become much more interested in gymnastics since i learned about crossfit. gymnastics is kind of a neglected art in contemporary america.

rawk on!