A common question is how to position your feet for bodyweight squats.
While this applies to all squats, weighted or not, there are some important aspects you’ll want to note, if you’re focusing on bodyweight.
First of all, note that there is no one correct form. Anyone that tells you so is just being dogmatic.
There are two common forms:
- The toes pointed straight ahead, hip width stance.
- The toes angled slightly to the outside with feet approximately shoulder width stance.
The most important thing is to find what is comfortable to you. Most people will default into one of these two stances.
The things you want to look out for is that the knees track over the toes. There is a time and a place to break this, but overall it is sound advice, especially if you’re doing lots of reps.
The second most important thing is to not get locked into one stance. Go wider. Go closer. Be able to squat in a variety of ways. This is best for health and overall movement quality.
For much more about bodyweight squats, be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to Bodyweight Squats and Pistols.
Comments
Did you says knees pointed over the toes? I’ve always been told that is very, very bad. Did I mishear you or do you have a reason for pointing your knees over your toes?
There’s a difference between knees pointed over the toes (or same direction as the toes) and knees moving over the toes.
It’s the latter which you’re actually referring to as hearing it’s bad. And that is really only in certain cases, as there is a time and place for it. Notice in the picture of the pistol the knee is past the toes.