Why are squats so uncomfortable for me?

Author: Cristopher D'Amore  |  Last update: Saturday, July 5, 2025

Problem 1: You Load Your Hips Wrong Yes, squats are a knee dominant exercise, but the hips are also heavily involved. To load some pressure into the glutes, you need to hinge backwards. If you don't, extra stress can translate to the knees, which may cause pain.

Why do I feel so uncomfortable squatting?

Unfortunately, what often happens is that improper squat technique forces muscles you're not necessarily supposed to be using to step in and take over — and not in a good way, says Long. That can lead to pain in your back as well as in other parts of your body and increase your risk of injury.

Why are squats so unpleasant?

Muscle Fatigue: Squats engage large muscle groups, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. This can lead to significant fatigue, making the exercise feel more strenuous compared to others. Sweat and Breathing: Squats can elevate heart rate and cause sweating, which some may find unpleasant.

Why is squatting so difficult for me?

There are a few reasons why people struggle to squat properly - Poor ankle mobility, poor hip mobility, poor spinal mobility and poor motor skills. In this article we'll cover how to fix these issues and learn to squat properly.

How can I make squats more comfortable?

Keep your chest tall

When starting your squat, think of pushing your hips to sit back in your squat with the weight in your heels. This will allow you to keep an upright chest and neutral spine. This position allows you to apply the most power to the ground without putting any unwanted pressure on the low back.

Deep Squats Are Not Safe (This Makes Me So Mad) + 1 POWERFUL Exercise!

Do squats get easier over time?

As your quads, hips and knees get stronger through practice, you may find over time that you can squat deeper and with less knee pain. Check in with yourself every four weeks to see how far you've come.

How to make squats less painful?

Bend Through Your Hips, Not Your Back

Squatting requires you to 'hinge' your hips as you lower down into the squat. Rounding your back puts more strain on your low back and reduces much-needed power when increasing your squat load. This rounding is referred to as the 'butt wink.

Why am I so bad at squats?

A weak squat can be caused by muscular imbalances, mobility challenges, poor nutrition and recovery, overtraining, and incorrect form.

What muscles are weak if you can't squat?

Gluteus Medius

The gluteus medius is a muscle on the lateral side of your glute near your hip. If it is weak, it can affect hip, knee and low-back function. If you squat and your knees turn inward, you may have a weak gluteus medius. “Often, we see runners with weak gluteus medius muscles,” Mueller said.

Is it normal to struggle with squats?

This is a common issue when squatting, and it often occurs because of weak glute muscles. To correct this issue, focus on pushing your knees out during the squat, engaging your glutes, and making sure your feet are properly positioned.

Who should avoid squats?

Deep knee bending with squats can be uncomfortable or painful for people with certain conditions. These conditions include knee osteoarthritis, runner's knee, and meniscus tears. Focusing on proper form with squats is key to preventing pain.

Why do squats hurt the most?

The Anatomy of Squatting

Other muscles involved in squatting include the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and the muscles of the lower back and core. However, the quadriceps often bear the brunt of the load, especially in high-intensity or high-volume squatting, which can lead to discomfort or pain after the exercise.

How many squats should I do a day?

Whether or not 20 squats are enough for a day depends on your fitness level and goals. For beginners, doing 20 squats a day can be a great way to start building strength and endurance. However, if you are looking to see more significant results, you will need to gradually increase the number of squats you do over time.

How do you get comfortable in a deep squat?

Deep squats put more load on your knee at the deepest point in the move, so if lowering all the way is uncomfortable, then simply go down to the lowest position you can tolerate. As you continue to practice, you should notice an increase in your range of motion and how deeply you can sink into a squat.

What muscle gets neglected the most?

The muscle most often neglected in the hip joint is the gluteus medius. The gluteus maximus gets a lot of stimulation from different lower body movements. Still, since these exercises are usually in the sagittal plane of motion (think squat motion), the gluteus medius gets little exposure to proper loading.

What exercise is better than squats?

Which Squat Substitutes Should You Do For Bad Knees? If your knees tend to bother you, machine leg presses, step-ups (start low), floor bridges, RDLs, and leg curls are great alternatives to strengthen the legs without putting much stress on the knees.

Why am I so weak at squats?

You're Working Out With Poor Squat Techniques

Often, the issue is related to improper techniques, such as incorrect depth, alignment, or grip strength, causing inefficient force transfer. Muscle imbalance, where one muscle group overpowers the other, also leads to a feeling of weakness.

Why is it so hard for me to do a squat?

​If you can't squat down- Your muscles are stiff

While performing squats you have to push your hips out and squat down, while keeping your spine neutral and thighs parallel to the ground. In case you are finding it difficult to go down, then it might be because your hips muscles are not that flexible.

Why can't some people squat?

Basic Anatomy – Hip Socket

Humans, however, are not all the same and the way the femur and hip socket is shaped can vary from person to person, which will make the way they squat different.

How do I get strong enough to squat?

To get better at squats and squat more weight, you need a strong upper back. Every strength program should include pull-ups, bent-over rows, seated rows, chin-ups, band pull-aparts, and face pulls. If your upper back is strong, you will be able to create more core stability and stay more upright while under the bar.

Are squats good for belly fat?

Squats are excellent for improving mobility, building muscle, and boosting metabolism, making them great for weight loss and reducing belly fat when combined with a healthy diet. Most people can perform squats, but those with knee or back issues should consult a professional first.

Why do squats never get easier?

One of the major reasons for not breaking your squat plateau is an incorrect technique. The poor squat technique will take you so far, but as the load increases, weak areas will give way and form will deteriorate. For so many avid gym-goers, this is where the squat plateaus.

Do squats ever stop hurting?

Lifting big weights during squats makes pain in the thighs inevitable, as it can quickly strain your muscles and joints, causing pain and discomfort. As you gain stronger and more comfortable with the workout, gradually increase the weight. Leg pain after squats and lunges can be avoided with proper form and technique.

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