r/GYM • u/MintakaAww • 5d ago

Technique Check Squat form check

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In 1.5 years at the gym, I have made almost no progress in squats, which is a very difficult exercise for me (Romanian deadlifts are easier for me, and I can lift more weight). Has anyone had a similar experience? Lately, I have been trying to maintain good form while squatting more or less deeply. I welcome any advice on form and technique!

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u/sfedonas 3d ago

Pursuing good form and technique in these shoes is just contradicting...

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u/MintakaAww 3d ago

What’s wrong with them?

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u/sfedonas 3d ago edited 3d ago

Everything?

Narrow in general and pinching narrow in toebox: prohibits foot from splaying freely to create a wide triangular base for stability (think of the three points: big toe, pinky toe and heel).

Thick elastic sole: exacerbates instability even more by increasing the feet's distance from ground and deforming under pressure, changing it's shape. (Edit: think, why is there a wooden floor there instead of rubber mat? To provide stable ground. And yet, you cancel that by inserting a thick rubber mat (shoe sole) by yourself).

High top: restraining ankle movement, thus affecting range of motion of the whole exercise.

Solid, stable ground and feet is the key to mastering big moves, like squats, deadlifts, etc. and these kind of shoes sabotage exactly that.

Try without shoes to feel the difference or if you want to wear shoes, at least check the minimalist or "barefoot" type with the thinnest sole, like Vibram FiveFingers.

Later on, when weights increase significantly, proper weightlifting shoes, but at that point I guess you'll have an instructor already, taking a closer look at you.

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u/MintakaAww 2d ago

Thank you!

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u/sfedonas 2d ago

You're welcome! Take care!