[Bagger Lance]

Excellent post Vickie and very good advise.

I really don't have anything to add other than "good posture" means keeping the chest out, chin up and arms down throughout the movement. At the bottom of the movement you should be slightly past parallel. There are some who argue that this is not good for the knees but most of the material I've read counters that. At the bottom of the movement the back should retain its flat to arched position. Rounding is defined as anything less than flat. Weight should stay on the middle of the feet to the heels, never forward to the toes. Finally, remember to breath.

Squats are the king of weight bearing exercises and it could also be argued that deadlifts are equally, if not more beneficial.

My Orthopeadic Doctor just turned me loose last week and counciled me to continue doing heavy squats and deadlifts. Like your advise above, he said to make sure you limit the weight to a controllable amount and never lose good form. If necessary reduce the weight to 65% of max and do 20 reps. as this is nearly as beneficial as higher weight and lower reps.

Squats are difficult, but if you want to lose weight and build a some muscle, these are great exercises as long as you are ready and build up slowly. Its best to have some coaching up front from someone like Vickie to avoid any potential injuries.