Is Your Squat Stuck? It's Not Why You Think.

Does your squat have a weird sticking point, and you just can't figure it out? Let's fix it fast.


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Stop Destroying Your Squat - Do THIS Instead

A common problem in the squat is raising the chest early during the ascent. Raising the chest early simply means that you’re making your torso or back angle too vertical too soon when coming out of the hole on the squat. Let’s fix this.

Typically, when addressing this issue, we simply cue you to “drive your hips.” You drive your hips up, and everything else goes up as well. However, if that's not working and you’re still raising your chest too soon, try this cue: “Stay in your lean.”

Julie will maintain this back angle - this leaned over position - as she drives up out of the hole.

In other words, stay in that leaned over position that you achieved during the descent. When you initiated your squat, you reached back with your hips, you shoved your knees apart, and you pointed your chest at the floor. Simply put, you leaned over, so stay in that leaned over position a little longer than you think you should on the way back up out of the hole.

Now, of course, your torso will eventually become more vertical - we do finish the lift in a standing up position, of course. The key is that you don’t try to make it get vertical right away. Stay in your lean.

As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.

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At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Would you like to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach?

Squat Fact: Look Up to Go Up!

When you squat, you've got to look up to go up, right?! Or do you? Phil talks about the merits - or rather, the lack thereof - of looking up when you squat and gives you a better option.

(This is a Blast from the Past video originally published on 12/27/21.)


At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Click the button below to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach and start getting stronger TODAY.

Squat Mistakes Every New Lifter Makes

You're trying to squat correctly, but this happens. Here's what to do about it.


At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Click the button below to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach and start getting stronger TODAY.

BEST Strategy to Squat More Weight (2 Simple Actions)

Want to squat more weight? Of course you do. Here's how.


At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Click the button below to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach and start getting stronger TODAY.

How to Get a Bigger Squat EFFORTLESSLY | 4 Mindset Shifts

Want to get a bigger, stronger squat? Here are 4 simple mindset shifts that will help.


At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Click the button below to get quality coaching from a Starting Strength Coach and start getting stronger TODAY.