Front Squat

[aemcleod]

WTF! So, I must admit I am fairly new to some exercises that might seem routine to many people, but good lordie, I almost threw my back out attempting these suckers this morning.

A) My gym doesn't have a "rack" for the barbells, so I was attempting to lift it off the floor onto my chest area....

(Note: I train at a women's gym, so equipment is lacking. I could very easily venture into the much larger co-ed version down the street - the one with proper equipment.....if I must)

B) Wrist and elbow position?

Any guidance would be great...:)

[Noel Clark]

WTF! So, I must admit I am fairly new to some exercises that might seem routine to many people, but good lordie, I almost threw my back out attempting these suckers this morning.

A) My gym doesn't have a "rack" for the barbells, so I was attempting to lift it off the floor onto my chest area....

(Note: I train at a women's gym, so equipment is lacking. I could very easily venture into the much larger co-ed version down the street - the one with proper equipment.....if I must)

B) Wrist and elbow position?

Any guidance would be great...:)

Amy there is actually a video in the video section showing Laura (Erik's wife) doing these...

[Ana]

WTF! So, I must admit I am fairly new to some exercises that might seem routine to many people, but good lordie, I almost threw my back out attempting these suckers this morning.

A) My gym doesn't have a "rack" for the barbells, so I was attempting to lift it off the floor onto my chest area....

(Note: I train at a women's gym, so equipment is lacking. I could very easily venture into the much larger co-ed version down the street - the one with proper equipment.....if I must)

B) Wrist and elbow position?

Any guidance would be great...:)

This post made me laugh. Not laughing at you ( I hate those too) just laughing at your description :lol3:

[Noel Clark]

here ya go :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1DviM61oH1M

[aemcleod]

Amy there is actually a video in the video section showing Laura (Erik's wife) doing these...

Hmmm, I was able to find one video in that section, but it was angled from the back, and it was a man doing the squat. Erik perhaps? So I was actually going on that video as my mental picture, but come "go-time"....well you know the rest.

[aemcleod]

here ya go :)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1DviM61oH1M

Many thanks! Many...

[aemcleod]

So, I'm assuming my "soon to be former" gym just isn't gonna cut it. I shouldn't be starting by lifting the barbell from the ground.

[aemcleod]

This post made me laugh. Not laughing at you ( I hate those too) just laughing at your description :lol3:

Hahahhaah, too bad I wasn't laughing at the gym. I was a storm cloud!! I hate being a grouch:(

[Noel Clark]

So, I'm assuming my "soon to be former" gym just isn't gonna cut it. I shouldn't be starting by lifting the barbell from the ground.

Yes, I would make it your former gym if possible. :lol: You need a rack...for squats too. Rack pulls, push press, a ton of other stuff. If you have to start from the floor you will NEVER be able to lift as much as should be.

[Noel Clark]

Hmmm, I was able to find one video in that section, but it was angled from the back, and it was a man doing the squat. Erik perhaps? So I was actually going on that video as my mental picture, but come "go-time"....well you know the rest.

Yep that would be Erik.

[Ana]

Hahahhaah, too bad I wasn't laughing at the gym. I was a storm cloud!! I hate being a grouch:(

I wouldn't be laughing there either, but the "lordie" part cracked me up

[Holly]

Hahahhaah, too bad I wasn't laughing at the gym. I was a storm cloud!! I hate being a grouch:(

My first time doing these was just under two weeks ago. I was grouchy as well trying to figure out the grip!

[Erik]

It's just a matter of time before you love them.

They will improve your regular back squatting technique.

[aemcleod]

It's just a matter of time before you love them.

They will improve your regular back squatting technique.

Luckily I have a moderate amount of patience:rolleyes:, so I will continue in the process of "learning to love" the front squat (vomits...for now).

[Carolyn]

How do you position the bar?

[Erik]

How do you position the bar?

Be a bit more specific ...

[Anca]

Is Laura just holding the bar with her fingers? :blink:
My hands/wrists are killing me with just 75 lbs.
:sadface:

[Noel Clark]

Is Laura just holding the bar with her fingers? :blink:
My hands/wrists are killing me with just 75 lbs.
:sadface:

yes, but that is a matter of wrist flexibility. you need to start stretching them. It will get better but I wouldn't say that it is ever comfortable (for most)

[Carolyn]

The way you hold the bar looks painful. I've never attempted a front squat because worried about breaking something! Where does the bar rest? I cannot get this question out for the life of me!

[Erik]

The way you hold the bar looks painful. I've never attempted a front squat because worried about breaking something! Where does the bar rest? I cannot get this question out for the life of me!

It can be uncomfortable until your wrist flexibility comes along, but it comes along quite quickly.

The bar is resting on your anterior delts and is simply kept in position by your fingers. You're not holding the bar in your hands per se.

I think I have a clip of Laura setting up. I'll get it up soon.

[mackie]

You need a rack...for squats too. Rack pulls, push press, a ton of other stuff. If you have to start from the floor you will NEVER be able to lift as much as should be.
"rack pulls"? What are these, please? I've been looking for demos. can't find one. :shrug:

[Erik]

"rack pulls"? What are these, please? I've been looking for demos. can't find one. :shrug:

These are a partial deadlift.

You set the pins in the power rack at about knee height and you do the top of a deadlift from that position.

You want to make sure you're not 'squatting it up'; you just want to be using your back, driving your hips through and extending through the hips.

Great upper back exercise, and you can go heavy.

[mackie]

Gracias, Senior! Excellent description. Almost like you're doing a live demo for me. :)

[Erik]

Gracias, Senior! Excellent description. Almost like you're doing a live demo for me. :)

I will get a video for you.

[mackie]

I will get a video for you.

:popcorn: Thank you! I love back work!

[Carolyn]

It can be uncomfortable until your wrist flexibility comes along, but it comes along quite quickly.

The bar is resting on your anterior delts and is simply kept in position by your fingers. You're not holding the bar in your hands per se.

I think I have a clip of Laura setting up. I'll get it up soon.

Thanks. I'm going to attempt these tomorrow with just the bar and see what happens. Thank goodness I have an early workout tomorrow so not many people will be around.

[Noel Clark]

"rack pulls"? What are these, please? I've been looking for demos. can't find one. :shrug:

Yep these are one of my favorites :D