I've thought about form checks lately (which I never do, really) on a few things including squats , so will definitely do that sooner than later. I've been doing RDL lately and know something isn't quite right... I lose tension in my hamstrings, probably from rounding my back and maybe also not bending my knees. Squats feel good, but checking technique is just something I should do more often, really.
Yeah, you got me there, it's not something that's even crossed my mind. I didn't invest in weightlifting shoes when I was a beginner squatter not terribly long ago and haven't given it a second thought since. On top of that, I've been using a couple plates under my heels due to long legs and probably lack of mobility (probably makes it even dumber that I haven't looked into lifting shoes).
I was just testing that out and seems like I could probably do away with the plates, too, definitely don't feel like I'm on my toes like I was a while back.
Already researched some shoes before going to the gym earlier and will probably pull the trigger on a pair tonight... I saw some options ranging from like 10mm left to 20+, and a lot of feedback from others saying they've trained people who immediately saw big benefits/PRs from lifting shoes... might be the first time in a while that I'm excited for leg day.
I don't
think I'm reaching that point, but have been toying with volume lately... at the very least, I tend to run out of time over three workouts, but my body has told me a time or two that it's happier not adding more arms (they're happier with two days off in between if I hit them hard) or possibly not adding another day where I do heavier squats. So, I've been doing some lighter stuff on a 4th day, but haven't been running myself ragged.
Didn't think about that part. It's something I concentrate on when I'm going heavier, but could definitely be slacking on that part when I'm doing full ROM. I've also been stretching quite a bit more lately... the glute/hip on the shitty side is definitely tight, so with a standing desk, it's easy to get stretches in here and there during work... and I've read up on a few stretches that target muscles I'd never think about.
I might try bringing Bulgarian split squats back... my knees didn't like them when I first started consistently lifting (and it's the only thing that's ever felt uncomfortable for my knees), but that was ~4-5 years ago.
Those are generally the types of movements that get put aside as time is running out at the gym, so will definitely make it a point to add something along with the RDLs.
Great stuff, really appreciate it! If all it takes is new shoes to fix my squat and aging hip, I'll owe you a few beers!
