Where/How to learn to squat/deadlift with perfect form

[Shammon]

Sup dudes,

So I recently got into weightlifting as a means of building strength/muscle. I've tried watching youtube videos from various "experts" on how to properly perform a deadlift and squat. Should be simple enough but it seems like each person has their own version which prevents me from understanding what the actual proper form looks like.

That being said, how would I even know if I'm doing it right based off of the videos?

Should I just ask the most in shape person in the gym to teach me? Or should I fork up some money for a personal trainer. A little confused. Thanks.

 

[selfcritical]

Chris Duffin has the best cues i've ever seen for the squat. CWS a close second.

 

[selfcritical]

 

[selfcritical]

 

[selfcritical]

 

[Chad R. Thundercock]

Well, that depends on the type of squats you want to learn. If you're willing to fork up money for lessons:

Go to an olympic weightlifting coach to learn how to the high bar squat.

or

Go to a powerlifting coach to learn how to do a low bar squat.

It all depends on what your goals are and your preference.

 

[Oblivian]

There are so many resources on youtube. Check out tutorials on Supertraining and Animal's "Big on Basics" series.

 

[JauntyAngle]

You can learn pretty well by starting a thread here and posting video your lifts. There are some experienced lifters here who will critique you. You should then go and incorporate their comments, work on it a few weeks and then update the thread. Or start a log, and maybe PM the people who critiqued you and ask them to check. Do it a few times, rinse, repeat. Your form might not be perfect, but it will probably be adequate to safely lift heavy weight and get stronger.

If you do do that, make some effort to take decent video. Eg don't just put the camera on the floor, get someone's to hold it steady, take different angles, and so on.

 

[SteveX]

If you want the best way and to get yourself the most technically correct the best bet would to be to do research for who the best coach is, go to them, and pay for them to train and teach you. There's nothing like getting someone with the knowledge and expertise to watch you squat in real time, give you physical and verbal cues in real time, and to make corrections in real time.

If that's not an option then the next best would be virtual coaching with someone (again someone you research and determine is the person who is gonna be the best to teach and train you). You'll send them videos, they'll look at them and make corrections. That process will keep on going until you've perfected your squat. The cons being that there is that time delay between the actual training session, the time the coach sees the videos and gives corrections, and the time you implement those corrections (I guess you could technically do it via Skype, but that's not a common thing). Also you can't get tactile cues which for some people are way more helpful than verbal cues.

The next tier down from that would be to watch everything you can on youtube (+1 to Duffin and CWS videos and all the other training channels mentioned above...Supertraining is also a great resource). Videotape your technique on forums like Sherdog and T-Nation and get as many eyes on it as you can to help you pick apart your squat. The same cons apply as above, but with the added con of not really knowing who's looking at your videos and giving you advice.

 

[DanielDI]

I've been reading the site for a few days now, and WOW the motivation. But I need help. I injured my left leg/knee badly in a car accident 15 years ago. Squats and deadlifts being the most raved about exercises, are painful in a bad way. I've been told my more than one orthopedist that I need a knee replacement but can't have one because I'm 'too young' and I'll wear it out. That being said, the movements needed for the squats and deadlifts cause bone on bone grinding, not to mention enough crackle to make Rice Krispies green with envy. I am determined to beat my weight issue and not suck at working out OR losing weight, but I'm in dire need of other exercises I CAN do without further deteriorating my knees.(the right one has gotten bad from the extra stress of my gait being off and my decade+ of sitting on my ass doing nothing and making excuses.) Lot of words here pff

 

[SteveX]

I've been reading the site for a few days now, and WOW the motivation. But I need help. I injured my left leg/knee badly in a car accident 15 years ago. Squats and deadlifts being the most raved about exercises, are painful in a bad way. I've been told my more than one orthopedist that I need a knee replacement but can't have one because I'm 'too young' and I'll wear it out. That being said, the movements needed for the squats and deadlifts cause bone on bone grinding, not to mention enough crackle to make Rice Krispies green with envy. I am determined to beat my weight issue and not suck at working out OR losing weight, but I'm in dire need of other exercises I CAN do without further deteriorating my knees.(the right one has gotten bad from the extra stress of my gait being off and my decade+ of sitting on my ass doing nothing and making excuses.) Lot of words here pff

Have you tried different variations of squatting like box squats? You may be able to tolerate squatting to a higher box without pain and then progress by either increasing the weight or lowering the box. Some of the resources above like SquatRX and Duffin may be helpful too (in addition to posting techinque videos) since a lot of times it's not the squats causing the pain it's the way you're squatting.

Same goes for deadlifting. You could try different variations conventional vs sumo, block pulls, trap bar, etc.

 

[deadshot138]

Alan Thrall

 

[Ruckus]

This is by far my favorite squat tutorial video. Be sure to focus on bracing, as it's ignored by tons of people and hugely crucial to all compound lifts.