Squats & hip flexor problems

[Merrida]

While trying to squat and keep my knees over my toes,... I've been trying to work more towards keeping my feet squared (I usually take a wide stance with toes pointed very slightly out).

However, my regular stance has contributed to my afore mentioned problem (re: that previous post of mine about keeping my legs together, hip flexor and adductor issues). So, I am trying to correct it and exercise with a squared off stance (on presses and squats).

Presses are pretty much okay, except I cannot do seated or incline comfortably. (Our gym also has a supine press where your legs are vertical, perpendicular to the floor, and it's an awesome glute and hamstring workout,... it's like deadlifts without the gravity compression load).

Anyway, those two make my hip flexors feel "caught" but on a flat sled, I'm okay.

Transitioning to squared off squats, I find that I can only squat down a VERY small way before my hip flexor feels like it's "caught" up or stuck. So I can either do partial squats (like hacks) or stop, rack the weight and through various movements, try to "un-hook" or "un-lock" this hung up feeling. But, it doesn't always last.

That makes it unpredictable.

I'm TRYING to change forms because I've noticed my regular way is what is making me have muscle weaknesses in the first place leading to this. So I use super light weight and practice a lot, but this form puts me in a position where I feel unsure.

Have any of you ever experienced anything like this, and if so how did you work through it or get past it?

This is NOT the kind of discomfort you work through, it's the kind that knocks you down. It goes away immediately, btw, it just sort of "gives" and ta-da I'm home free and fine.

I know, it feels like a "pinch" actually, that's a good description!

Argh.

[Alex(AJ)]

work with box squatting

http://www.t-mag.com/html/body_120squat.html

[sac1973]

i have a hard time imagining that your prob would be your hip flexors. the only work the hip flexors are doing during a squat would be what i would consider as an isometric hold. without being a doctor or getting to work with you one on one(in person) this is the best i can do.

[Merrida]

Well I know I have tight hip flexors (that much is for certain), and when I do squats (free or on the smith machine), it sporadically happens where if I pass a certain point I get a sharp pinchy kind of pain right where my hip flexors are. It pinches, and then it releases (when I release it), it sort of "pops out" or pops back in, with varied movements.

It could be some type of ligamental problems (too tight, too loose), it could be anything really,...I just know the area of pain, to the point where I can put a finger right on the spot, and it correlates to my hip flexor.

That's why I thought I'd put it out here, and see if anyone else has experienced something similar symptomatically, maybe they have some other ideas, or suggestions.

I'm certainly open to suggestions.

I'm not looking for diagnostics here, just opinions.... thank you for sharing yours! I'm curious about this!

[Alex(AJ)]

*pokes you repeatedly*

try b-o-x s-q-u-a-t-t-i-n-g

see if that helps.

[Merrida]

Originally posted by Alex(AJ)
*pokes you repeatedly*

try b-o-x s-q-u-a-t-t-i-n-g

see if that helps.

LMAO Pppthh

So err,....ya think maybe I oughta try something like uhm...... box squatting,....maybe?

Hmm.....

[Alex(AJ)]

Originally posted by Merrida
LMAO Pppthh

So err,....ya think maybe I oughta try something like uhm...... box squatting,....maybe?

Hmm.....

what's the worse that can happen. perhaps you're using "poor form" (i.e., bending down instead of sitting back, so force is going downwards instead of back)

[Merrida]

Actually I'm reading about box squatting now.

This clicking/popping/getting hung up or stuck sensation in my hip can occur when I use no weight, use a smith, do free squats.... given I have a spinal injury I'm usually the queen of form. In fact, it's been pointed out that at times I may be a little too rigid, but I do so because of my back.

Given I can and have squatted, good form and "comfortably" with regards to my lift, these occasional glitches are irritating.

I may go weeks without it and then randomly once in a while, doing the same thing I've been doing it'll just get "caught". If I stop, try to wriggle it loose or unclick it, and go back, I'm fine.

So if it were bad form I'd think that I'd have worse problems than this. Also with my back I do not lift heavy poundage, do not wear a belt, and I have anterior disk herniations which prohibit wearing a belt or pressing my abs out against a belt (if I wore it). Note: People with POSTERIOR herniations who squat may be more "able" to apply that technique.

The wierd thing is how if I do,...almost the box squat stance of wide, pressing out, etc....I'm okay, but it's contributing to other weaknesses so I'm trying to square my squats off more....

Anyhoo...... without further poking adoooooo.....

Onward I trudge.

Hey thanks for the feedback, I like learning more and as I said, I'm very open to thoughts about this (or anything).....