Front Squat Question

[Bill Ennis]

Hi Everyone;
I haven't posted here in a while. I've been doing the 5/3/1 program with occasional Oly days along with running with my son and on the water rowing.
I've meant to ask this question before because it has always bothered me:
I've noticed that for a few days after doing a squat session in 5/3/1 the muscles of my medial thighs, bilaterally, are sore. Not incapacitating, but I'm aware of them.
Specifically, my gracilis and adductor longus are sore-my adductors.
My question: Is this possibly a technique related problem or just simply adductor weakness(more likely). I don't notice my knees abducting noticably when I squat, but I wondered if I should adjust my stance or another technique change or just squat more to strengthen my adductors. Squats are probably my weakest lift.
Thanks for the help.
Bill

[Will Peterson]

It is either a weakness or a strain from poor groin flexibility. Is the discomfort even on both sides? Are you using a wide-ish stance for your squats? I think that area that you are having issues is a pretty common one, and I have talked to a number of would be power lifters who widened their stance too quickly and strained a groin muscle.

If the discomfort is uneven and signs point to a strain, back off your weight and focus on an extended warmup and good form. Combined with ice and rest, this will allow you to tread water on the lift until you can heal enough to push up toward your 1RM. I would not recommend more than (if even) 70% of your 1RM. This worked for me.