Squatting and Back Pain

Who’s this tutorial for?

1) If you don’t Squat – DON’T bother
2) If you/clients get back pain after Back squatting – WATCH
3) If you’re a geek love lifting and want to know the mechanics – WATCH

Everyone is different and a squat is NOT a squat

Athlete 1: Long femur = Increased torque loading at low back and hips
Athlete 2: Short Femur = Reduced torque loading at low back + increased torque loading at knees

Squatters with longer femurs will experience more loading on the lower back/hips for the SAME amount of weight on the bar simply because of the anthropometrics.

Managing injury in training is ALL about reducing torque loading at the level of the joint. So if you have long femurs and your back is hurting and you still want to squat, change your squat style to either Safety squat bar, High bar position or Front squats.