If squats feel awkward, painful, or just plain frustrating, you’re not broken, you just need better tools. At Made Possible Personal Training in St. Petersburg, we coach real people through real challenges every day. That means ditching the fluff and focusing on what actually works.
In this video, we break down our exact approach to coaching and fixing squats. Whether you’re training clients or just trying to improve your own form, these cues, progressions, and coaching tools are made for the gym floor—not the textbook.
Here’s What We Cover:
👉 Why counterbalance squats work, and why a 15 lb dumbbell might not be enough
👉 How using a box helps with control, depth, and confidence
👉 Coaching out common issues: rocking, collapsing, or caving knees
👉 Using sit-to-stands with older adults or beginners as a smart entry point
👉 Heel elevation tricks and how to test ankle mobility in real time
👉 When to stop cueing and regress the movement instead
👉 Cue upgrades like “show me your logo” instead of “chest up”
👉 How to use video feedback to build awareness (especially for visual learners or ego-heavy lifters)
👉 Creative and effective coaching cues like:
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“Rip the floor apart”
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“Squash the bug”
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“Barbie doll RDL”
👉 The progression path:
Box Squat → Counterbalance Squat → Goblet → Zercher → Front/Back Squat
👉 When and how to use bands properly for knee tracking and engagement
👉 Why external cues work better than internal ones (especially early on)
👉 How underrated zombie squats teach great posture and rack position control
Quick Interactive Tip:
If your heels pop up during squats, pause and try using a book or plate under your heels. Replay that section of the video and notice the difference. Sometimes the fix is that simple.
This isn’t just about getting lower or lifting more. It’s about understanding what your body needs, how to make movement feel better, and how to build real strength that sticks.
Coaches: Steal, test, and tweak any of these cues.
They’re battle-tested in real St. Pete training sessions with clients of all ages, injury histories, and confidence levels.
Clients: If squatting still feels like a mystery, we’ve got your back.
Our semi-private personal training in St. Petersburg is designed to meet you where you’re at and help you move better—safely, confidently, and without guessing.
Call 727-537-9854 or book your first session here. Let’s get your squat feeling strong.
👇 Got a favorite cue or squat breakthrough moment? Drop it in the comments, we’re all about sharing what works.
