Squat Form: How to Feel It Where You’re Supposed To (Without Overthinking It)

Squats is a fundamental exercise that we do every day. But in the gym setting….Squats can feel awkward at first. Sometimes it’s all in your knees… sometimes your lower back… sometimes it just doesn’t feel like anything. That’s all completely normal when you’re first starting out. Instead of trying to make it perfect, Let’s focus on a few key things that make it feel right and answer the question we get all the time…

What does a Good Squat Should Feel Like

Before cues and form, let's start here:

  • You should feel your glutes and thighs working together

  • Your feet should feel stable and grounded. Think big toe, heel and pinky touching the ground.

  • Your chest stays lifted to what your anatomy will allow 

  • Nothing should feel sharp or painful

  • If it feels all in your knees or lower back, something just needs adjusting. WHICH IS OKAY!

The Number 1 concept we want to debunk is that everyone’s squat is supposed to look the same. Here at Flexx, we believe that we are robots. Everyone's anatomy is totally different so why would a movement pattern look the same person to person.

Now Let’s Set Yourself Up

We’ll keep this simple:

  • Feet about shoulder-width apart

  • Toes slightly turned out or whatever feels natural

  • Weight balanced across your whole foot (not just toes)

  • Take a breath before you move, brace your core—this helps you stay stable.

Trouble finding your stance? There are 2 ways to find out what stance is best for you:

TYPE 1 - can be done anywhere

  1. Standing about 2 feet lengths away from wall; hands above your head and start with your feet shoulder width apart

  2. Slowly squat down without having your hand touch the wall

  3. If you’re having trouble keeping your hands off the wall, reset spread your feet a little more

  4. Repeat this process until you can squat without having your hands touch the wall

TYPE 2 - Gym Setting

  1. Stand in front of a column with your arms straight out

  2. Grab onto the column

  3. walk your hands down the column as you squat as low as you can without your head hitting the column

  4. Hitting the column? Reset spread your feet some more and try again

Now that you found your stance, try a few unassisted with the wall or column! Feels good? AWESOME, let's add some weight in a goblet style or a suitcase style and start doing some REPS!

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Beginner Workout Plan: What You Should Actually Be Doing