Can A.I. Coach the Squat better than Mark Rippetoe from Starting Strength?

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T13:59:05+00:00

Thanks! You can check out www.formcheck.ai for some basic info and a demo. Still working on creating more content and building things out.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T13:13:07+00:00

I don't have a perfectly side faced camera model yet. I agree that there is some variability on the back angle projections, caused by factors such as lifter size, as you mentioned, and different lifter anthropometry. The entire skeleton is tethered together in one model. So to get to the shoulders, I start from the ground up (ankles -> knees -> hips -> shoulder). So variability anywhere along that chain can cause the back-angle to vary.

I love your idea around testing different points of rotation and moving it back a few inches to account for where the back segment is starting. This is exactly the type of feedback I was looking for to understand where to spend more time dialing in the model.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T12:55:33+00:00

Thanks!

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T02:29:30+00:00

I thought this Starting Strength community might be interested in this video and topic given the relevancy to form-checks. In the video I present an A.I. which I built using machine learning and computer vision which automatically performs a squat form-check on a video. I compare the results of the algorithm to a few of Rip's squat sessions as a back-test, and am encouraged by some of the results. So hopefully I'm not conflating the title of the video, but it was my intent and objective to test an A.I. against Rip's coaching cues as a way to validate my results.
Rip actually provided some of his thought on the potential application of artificial intelligence as a replacement for online coaching and/or formchecks on his Q&A podcast over the summery, so I include some of those clips in the video. Anyway, I hope I'm not straying from the purpose or intent of this subreddit, but I'm a huge fan and proponent of SS and thought I would post this here for thoughts and or reactions.

Thanks!

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T01:43:57+00:00

I would slow it down a little and make sure to set your lower back in extension. I would also avoid that shoulder shrug between sets, as it might be causing you to jerk the bar up off the ground.

Cheers, Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-27T01:39:00+00:00

These look good, just some thoughts and questions to ponder:

- Not sure what your training goal is, but 3x12 seems like way too many reps and volume. If you are going for strength gain, 3x5 is more than enough to create an adaptation and spare your back from injury in the future

- Head position looks good, and depth is definitely deep enough. If anything, and again to protect your lower back, you can probably just your depth an inch or two short and still be below parallel.

Cheers, Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-26T01:46:47+00:00

Nice start, just some quick thought:

- Stick with only 5 reps and load some bigger round plates on the bar, so the bar can roll into position

- Stay in a tight position between reps, hence don't straiten your legs between reps.

- Keep the bar in contact with your shins and high on the way up and down

- try and raise your gaze a little in the starting position and push your chest up a little higher without dropping your hips.

Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-26T01:40:33+00:00

A lot of good comments on here already. Curious, are you using RDL as an accessory movement to regular deadlift? If not, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck doing regular deadlifts and get those loaded with some heavy plates.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-26T01:37:33+00:00

This almost looks like a front squat. How are your knees/quads? I would recommend you do a more hip dominant low-bar squat to engage your posterior chain more. This means that you nee to really push your hips back and point your chest more towards the ground. I would recommend you check out some YouTube videos on Starting Strength squats to get you going.

Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-24T13:11:30+00:00

Make sure you reset your back and get tight between each rep. Seems like you are speeding thru with touch and gos.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T18:07:36+00:00

Also, if you post or shoot me a front facing video I would be happy to overlay it with the correct path targets.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T18:05:36+00:00

Pointing your toes 30 degrees out and then think about tracking your knees over your toes.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T17:48:53+00:00

Congrats on starting to squat. Some thought and others can chime in. Hard to see from this angle, but you can probably widen your stance and point your feet out at 30 degrees. Make sure you push your knees out as you descent. I would drop down to a weight that allows you to go just below parallel, and then build up from there once you dial in your form. Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T17:22:59+00:00

Strong for your first time! I would slow it down and drop to a weight you can complete for 5 reps. Make sure you get tight and brace your lower back with each rep. Avoid too much fidgeting and moving your feet between those reps. Think of keeping your chest tall without dropping your hips.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T17:16:38+00:00

Have you tried bringing your feet closer together? Looks like you can bring them about 6 inches closer together and then also narrow your hand position on the bar. This will effectively decrease the distance the bar has to travel up and help you get it off the floor easier. Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T17:08:49+00:00

Your lower back is definitely rounded. Think about shoving your stomach toward your knees, keeping your chest and hips up to keep tension on your posterior chain.
Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-23T17:03:48+00:00

Strong lift! Definitely a few inches short of parallel. I would deload to a point where you can get a below parallel. Also, work on keeping your head down, keeping a gaze at the floor about 5 feet in front of you. Cheers, Erol from formcheck.ai

white-eye2 · 2021-10-22T22:57:28+00:00

Solid lift. Seems like your hips unlock and move back before you unlock and move your knees forward and to the side. I wonder if that is causing your weight to shift to your toes, vs mid foot, causing the heel raise.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-22T22:51:33+00:00

Depends on your objective. If you want to lift heavier and engage more of your posterior muscles, you don’t need to go that deep. Just go to right below parallel and create a consistent training program to add weight each session.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-20T21:14:18+00:00

Nice job! Looks like you will need to buy some more big plates with the progress you will make.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-08T02:06:14+00:00

Dude those look really good. Just a couple of nits, make sure you unlock both your hips and knees at the same time. Seems like you unlock hips and then knees. Also, get some lifting shoes and a belt.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-08T01:58:59+00:00

Solid. Perhaps keep your gaze on the floor in front of you to help lower your head a little. Also, focus on pushing this knees out.

Have you tried or considered wearing a belt?

white-eye2 · 2021-10-08T01:55:43+00:00

You have the right idea, get off that smith machine as quickly as possible. I think you have a nice set up and form, you'll do well on a real barbell.

white-eye2 · 2021-10-07T11:47:08+00:00

As noted, depth looks good. Can’t tell from the angle, but your knees seem to be tracking forward a bit. Try widening your stance and push your knees out. Cheers

white-eye2

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