Daily Mobility Exercises by Dr. Kelly Starrett Forums General Using the “Squat test” as a daily exercise

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    • #70911
      AvatarJim Conzelman
      Participant

      I have been thinking of using the 10 minute squat test as a daily exercise much like the 3030 squat challenge.

      Would anyone see an issue with this?
      I am a powerlifter and would like it to help bring together a few issues.
      I would like it to help with ankle, groin/hip mobility as well creating some strength in this position (mobility is more the concern)
      If I use this as my everyday tool and only adding additional mobility exercises as needed, could this been seen as helpful? Or does it only really have place as a testing tool
      My ability to get into that position isn’t the greatest at them moment but is pain free
    • #74531
      Avatar[email protected]
      Participant

      I use this routine quite often. Did it like 15 days in a row.. Which is pretty similar to the squat test but a bit more dynamic. 

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbozu0DPcYI

      My squat improved ALOT. I’ll see if I can get some before/after pics of me backsquatting 🙂 (It is still not were I want it to be)

    • #74532
      AvatarJim Conzelman
      Participant

      Awesome! Thanks for that. That probably suits my needs perfectly!

      Were you doing the reps as outlined in the video? Just one set?
      Thanks so much
    • #74534
      Avatar[email protected]
      Participant

      At first I had to stand up between every new “exercise”, but after like 10 days straight I was able to sit down for almost all of it. I did like 10-15 pushes per side and 10-20s holds. In the beginning I used my OLY-shoes (I was really stiff), but after a couple of days I could manage to do it with nanos/barefoot instead. 

      I suggest you take a short rest between every “part” of it, by just popping your ass up in the air, stand up, shake your legs and sit back down. 
    • #74535
      AvatarAdam Christiansen
      Participant

      I can’t get my feet straight yet so should I just try to do this even with feet out? 

    • #74536
      AvatarSophie Ker
      Participant

      Dorian: feet straight isn’t as important as maintaining your foot arch. Feet straight helps that, but do the best you can. I’m in the same boat.

    • #74542
      Avatar[email protected]
      Participant

      If I do it barefoot, my feet are almost turned out 45 degrees, but its getting better and better the more I do it. So just keep practicing and you’ll improve. 

    • #74543
      Avatar[email protected]
      Participant

      Could anybody comment on how this exercise is working out your hip?  For instance is this helping internal rotation? Perhaps mainly focusing on external rotation? or is it hitting all different areas in very little ways…

    • #74552
      AvatarKatie Hemphill
      Participant

      Daniel, the hip joint is in a flexed and externally rotated position in the bottom of a squat, so primarily those things. Abduction is also coming into play when you shove those knees out. As far as actually working on the hip in a muscly sense, if you are staying engaged and actively attending to all the stability cues (actively locking your feet into the floor, shoving the knees out, loading the hamstrings), then you will also improve your ability to perform these cues and gain some endurance in holding a good bottom squat position.

      You could also bias that deep squat position towards different mobility elements by changing your stance and position. For example, squatting with a wider stance (still getting the knees above the feet) will help you open up more abduction, while squatting with a narrow stance places more demand on the ankles.

      Dorian, as Conor said it’s more important that you are able to stabilize the foot and lower body. Squat in a way that will allow you to get into the best overall position for what you’re working on. Having your feet straight in the squat might be a good goal to shoot for, as far as squat mobility is concerned, but trying to go too parallel before you’re ready will probably just impede your ability to put some time into that squat position, and might compromise you in other ways. It’d be like trying to squat to full depth when you can’t. As your hip and ankle mobility improve, just keep adjusting your stance to reflect a closer approximation of the ideal stance.

      To the original question of the thread, db2000, spending some time daily in the deep squat (similar to the 10min squat stance) is a great way to improve that position. I’m glad svinto posted Ido’s squat routine, as it will help you direct more focus to specific corners of the squat while you’re down there. You might even consider starting off with a shorter duration, and adding minutes over time, like how you might progress other elements of fitness.

      Starrett mentioned in a Daily Rx recently about taking the 10min squat test in chunks, and adding mobility work in between, which is (obviously) a great idea. He was talking specifically about lower leg clean-up, but you could use that squat test as a more general diagnostic too, of course. Spend 2min in the deep squat, note what feels sticky or where you’re lacking mobility, get after it for a couple minutes, get back in the squat for another 2min. Repeat as desired!

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