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When squatting, my back is too horizontal (forward). The bar goes forward of my toes. What should I do to correct this? Is it due to not keeping my lumbar tight enough?

Also: I haven't checked this, but it feels that when the bar is heavier this is less of a problem - as if the bar is pushing itself down where it needs to be.

How should I handle this?

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    It would be awesome if you could post a form video and link to it from this question. Then we could give you much better advice. Some tips on filming form check videos are here: startingstrength.com/resources/forum/showthread.php?t=20249
    – user3085
    Commented May 30, 2012 at 15:22
  • Great answers - I'm going to try them out and try to report back.
    – S. Robert James
    Commented May 31, 2012 at 19:44
  • I can tell you why a heavier weight fixes this - if you are in any stable standing or squatting position, your center of gravity must be directly above a spot that is somewhere in the rectangle formed by the heels and toes of your left and right foot. At light squat weights your center of gravity is influenced by your butt and hips. However this changes as you add more and more weight to your bar: the center of gravity is dominated by the weight on your shoulders, and any forward leaning becomes less and less possible because it would tip you forward.
    – J. Win.
    Commented Jun 6, 2012 at 18:53

2 Answers 2

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Mobility & Chest UP!

Without a form check video--which is really the gold standard, putting this text-based feedback to shame--this sounds like a mobility issue combined with not keeping your chest up.

Your back and hips (and ankles, from the sound of your other question) are not flexible enough to get into a deep squat position while maintaining a chest-up position. This is worst in the first few light sets because heavier loads on the bar push your hips deeper, helping you achieve closer to maximum mobility in the hip joint.

Keep squatting, deloading if necessary, and keep your mind blazingly focused on CHEST UP. That means squeezing the shoulderblades together, puffing out your chest like you're on Muscle Beach, and taking (and keeping) a big breath held through the whole rep. If you can't keep these up during all your sets, deload.

If the problem persists, consider switching to high-bar back squats or front squats.

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  • +1 for flexibility discussion; IMO that's almost certainly the issue in this case, but impossible to tell w/o an unweighted baseline.
    – Dave Newton
    Commented May 31, 2012 at 11:01
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Some things to check:

  • Your gaze is directed towards a point on the floor about 5-10 feet in front of you.
  • Your chest is up.
  • Your weight is on your heels for the entire descent and ascent (toes don't need to come off the ground, but they should be feel really light compared to your heels).

Some cues to think about during the lift:

  • Chest up.
  • Sit back.
  • Knees out.
  • Toes light.
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