05/18/2026
Back squats not feeling great? No need to give up on squats all together. 🏋🏻
Often if you’re dealing with back, hip, or knee pain, back squats can exacerbate the issue.
WHY? | With a barbell, the load is distributed across your back, placing increased stress on the spine and can cause you to lean forward excessively and hip shift or butt wink as a compensation.
A regression we often recommend is a goblet squat - essentially a squat while holding a kettlebell or dumbbell in front of your chest. This changes the load distribution and is a safer option. Goblet squats may allow greater range of motion/squat depth compared to back squats AND encourage better posture with less spinal compression.
WIN WIN!
Stopping a movement all together is almost never the answer. Part of our work with patients is to help them find the best and safest options to continue to participate in their hobbies and exercise routines to their fullest potential. Small adjustments can make a big difference in helping you move better, feel stronger, and stay consistent. If you’re feeling stuck in your recovery or an injury is holding you back, let us help!
The “best” exercise is the one that works with your body, not against it. Our job is to help you keep living the life you want by finding better ways to do what you love and not just telling you to stop doing it.
Comment a exercise modification that works better for your body 👇🏻