The long-awaited So You Think You Can Squat video is here! Matt Wenning discusses how to squat properly, so pay attention. This is part one and two of a multi-part series.
So You Think You Can Squat? Part 1 and 2
Published: January 21, 2011Posted in: Powerlifting
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About the Author
Matt Wenning is one of only a handful of people to total over 2600 lbs in a professional competition, hold an all-time world record of 2665 lbs in the 308-lb class, and bench press over 800 lbs in a full powerlifting meet. He currently the owner and a private strength coach at Ludus Magnus gym in Columbus, Ohio, a personal trainer to many executives and professionals at Capital Club Athletics, and contracted by the US Army. He also works with firefighters, physicians, children with disabilities, and all forms of athletes in the Columbus, Ohio, area. 
Can’t wait to see the rest!!
Great stuff.
Very nicely done. Thanks for the info.
I would love to be that guy being taught such a great series!
YES! I can’t wait for the rest, especially the pelvis tucking part, since I tend to do that.
Great job so far, Matt!
On my way to squat right now…amping after seeing this…it’s always good to refresh…thanks for your time Matt…can’t wait to see the rest of the series!
AWESOME! This series is going to be great. I only have one question if Matt could answer. Why no mirrors? I’m thinking its because you don’t want to look anywhere else but upward and the mirror could force you to look at yourself. The football coach at our college is pushing for mirrors by all squat racks.
I’m about to squat now, good thing I saw this before I left, I’ll remember to keep my head up 25 degrees and my chest up. I can’t wait till Matt starts going into butt wink and knee problems. Maybe for next Squat day!
Great work Matt, thank you.
Peter, If
I’m not mistaken the whole “no mirrors” part is simply to get you used to feeling your squat rather then relying on a 2D image in front of you. Takes a bit of time to get used to it but after a while you can feel how you body is positioned and what’s going on in your squat. Proprioperception is the technical term for that if I’m not mistaken.
Outstanding, can’t wait for the rest. I have fairly good form, but this is very helpful. Tommorow is squat day, I’ll watch the videos again while I warm up.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! EFS readers have been waiting a while for “so you think you can squat”, thank you!
awesome.
Hey Guys I am 53 years young and getting ready to show the world of powerlifting the first 1000 pound squat by a man over 50, Also going to hit a 800 deadlift and 650 bench, So whats up with all you Masters, LOL Lou LaVarro AKA The Luminator
Nice, unfortunately I can’t get away from the mirrors, my gym has them in front of all the squat and power racks. For me, squat is the hardest to get the form correct. Cant wait til 3,4,5 and 6
Proprioperception is basically the sensation of the length of muscles and joint position. If you close your eyes and flex and extend your elbow joint you will know roughly what degree of flexion/extension the joint is in.
;)
Seriously. I can not mention how awesome this series, and the “so you think you can bench” is.
Would it be ok to link your blog to my site?
excellent videos.
@Dave GP: I would like to see some of these 2D mirrors
Great videos, looking forward to the rest in the series.
Some of the best instruction and tips I’ve ever seen! Please do this for the Deadlift and Bench as well.
Very excellent vid – I’m really looking forward to the rest!
One thing that separates EliteFTS is the quality videos we get here. Unlike other places on the internet where its just a bunch of strong dudes lifting weight. Who cares! We want to know HOW it’s done and I think EliteFTS does an excellent job of providing this unique content.
All the best,
Sam
I have a question. I watched both vids and will watch them over again. Right now, I seem to have two major problems with my squat. 1. My knees cave in and 2. My chest doesn’t stay up
I was wondering if someone could explain what causes these two problems. My upper back is tight, my head/neck is driven right into the bar, I’m looking about 30 degrees above what’s right in front of me, my arch feels tight. So I’m wondering what else could be causing this.
Thank you to Matt Wenning and EFS for posting these videos! Your readers have been waiting for these. GREAT WORK!
@2020, they already did a bench series, its titled “so you think you can bench”.
I didn’t want it to end…
God, I wish I lived in London, OH!!!
thanks Matt Wenning for the tutorial!
looking forward to the next few installments.
will EFS be posting a “so you think you can deadlift?” series anytime soon? :)
cheers
Joey, by you saying your knees cave in, I’m assuming they come towards your midline as you stand up. This is a fairly simple fix, I would approach it in two ways. One flexibility of the hips and adductors and two adductor strength. When you squat force the knees out, you’re going to have to make a conscious effort to do this. Then add some extra work on sumo stance deads and squats to work those inner legs
Then for your chest dropping take a look at this video it should help with overall issues in the squat. I would take a guess that your butt is tucking also and its all related. Start with a lighter weight work your form then progress upwards. Its hard for me to say without watching you on that one, maybe someone else would know.
wow – great series so far. I’m definitely finding areas where my form could improve. I’m really looking forward to seeing the rest of the series, especially near the bottom and coming out of the hole.
elite fts could use a forum. ;)
Great Coach!!!
This is Awesome – great job. Thanks
Matt, this is a great primer for beginners! VERY impressive attention to all the details, and, of course, it’s the details that make all the difference. Thanks!
your videos are great…………thanks for the squat tips
What would you recommend for a tight shoulder on one side (left) which prevents a uniform bar set up on the back (the bar sits much higher on the left side)?
Also what would you recommend for a functional leg length discrepancy (right leg shorter, although not anatomically so) which causes pain in left knee?
Fixing those two would be gold to me since I can’t squat at all right now.
Been waitin for these…thanks Matt!
This was one of the best videos I have seen. It was very practical and Matt Wenning did a great job with explaining the exercise. Thanks.
this coach looks pretty cool and a nice guy. I have seen others act like total d**cks
To the person who mentioned they can’t get away from mirrors: Take some sort of a box or step-up and put it in front of the mirror. Then take a floor mat and stack it on top of the box, covering your line of site. It works wonders.
I had the same problem. Then I saw a fellow powerlifter do it, and I was like “duh!”
Awesome videos. Just a great reminder that no matter how much you can squat, it’s always important to remember the basics.
@John X
A mirror only gives you a 2 dimensionnal image, there isn’t any actualy depth in it. Plus a lot of mirrors are difformed in gyms which also give you an inacurate image
This is awesome, Im tired of reading articles that are about nothing. This is actually really helpful.
This is so awesome! thank you folks for taking the time to guide us! I will always appreciate you guys!
Awesome, AWESOME advice!! If someone’s serious about squatting they can’t watch this too many times!!
Minute 1:53..when he extends his hip, he uses the Hamstrings and Glut, not Quads and Glut.
I think this is a very good series of videos on squatting and I look fwd to others hopefully on benching, deadlifting and special excercises (Zercher lifts etc.)
The one thing I saw right away was the elbows were flaired out and not tucked in and under the bar, this may be contributing to the tilt, but teaching him to box squat is the best way to learn.
Just one name: IVAN CHAKAROV.
Thanks.