Air Squats?

[Karin Jonczak]

Ok... I should just search, but I am being lazy

here is a video of me doing some air squats. Roger noticed that I tend to use my arms in more of a swimming motion than an up/down motion.

Does it matter? Should I change it? What's the benefit?

(I honestly don't see a need to change anything, but maybe I am missing something?)

• Air Squats - http://youtube.com/watch?v=yZj1E04s1qU (WFS)

Sorry about the lighting :-(

[Júlíus Magnússon]

You should make another video with better lighting.

[Joe Coneglio]

I agree, you need better light and a side view would be better. I don't think the way you swing your arms is a big deal. Most people get their arms up over head in order to maintain their lumbar curve. As long as you are doing that all is well

[Robert Callahan]

I do not think the manner in which you swing your arms makes much of a difference. If you watch the video on air squats on the main site they actually playfully go over different "forms" that people do, one of which being called the "swimmer" i think?

One thing I would comment on though is the fact that your arms are so low at the bottom of your squat, that is going to predispose you to curving your back at the bottom. When you swing your arms out in front they should be pointing up and away, not down in front of you. By keeping your arms up you pull your chest up and force a good lumbar curve which we all know is paramount in good squats Hope that helps!

-Robert

[Richard Vanmeerbeek]

Good tips by Robert, your arms can get tad bit too low at the bottom.

But there's definitely no problem with your arms moving, it's the breast stroke, I do it that way too.

[Mark E. Wallace]

sssshhhhhh.....please don't say "air squats" so loudly. My legs (which are in fairly reasonable condition) are still reeling from Monday's Jason.

- Mark

[Brett Dartt]

youre fine i think. watch the air squat demo. it even says people get their own styles. as long as your form and posture are correct i dont think it matters what your arms are doing to balance you. hell its just more calories burned right?

[Karin Jonczak]

Originally Posted by Mark E. Wallace

sssshhhhhh.....please don't say "air squats" so loudly. My legs (which are in fairly reasonable condition) are still reeling from Monday's Jason.

- Mark

AIR SQUATS

(morning)....

[Karin Jonczak]

thanks for the input... I will do another video with better lighting. Its odd, they B/W balance isn't as off on my computer as it seems to be on YouTube.

Karin

[Ryan Whitenack]

Karin,

To start, I love how you apologized for the lighting and then the first two responses were in reference to the crappy lighting.

I thought your air squats looked fairly good. I have been doing a lot of thinking about the arms in my own workouts lately while trying to overcome poor felxibility, and I do think there is a right and a wrong way just as there is with a right and wrong arm motion while running, rowing, swimming, pressing, and throwing. There is some motion that will benefit you the most in each particular movement.

I, by nature, am also a "swimmer" however, I have noticed that is because it is my body/mind wanting to get the weight more out over my toes. That is where I am most comfortable, but i think we all know that that is wrong. If I keep my arms bent at 90, and swing from the shoulders (light upward punch in front of the chin on the eccentric motion of the exercise)I find I am more likely to stay on my heels and move more efficiently.

I do not think my novice experimentation is the end all be all, but I would try out some different arm positions while practicing and see what feels good and also what provides best form.