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Brandy
06-06-2007, 04:04 PM
Okay, I know I can handle more weight, but I just CANNOT get my arms in a good position.
I kinda cross 'em in front of me, hands close to my chin, the bar rests in my antecubitals, under my rack.
The weight is really stressing my arms WAY more than my legs. :shrug:

Any suggestions? Better way to hold the bar?
Erik
06-06-2007, 04:10 PM
Olympic grip.
Cindy Day
06-06-2007, 04:12 PM
It's only taken me a full year, but I am finally doing these well for me. I've managed to lessen the gap in weight between these and my full squat by about 30lbs.

Keep at Brandy-- they eventually get better! :thumb:

I used to HATE them. Now I'm liking the results. :nod:
Erik
06-06-2007, 04:19 PM
It's only taken me a full year, but I am finally doing these well for me. I've managed to lessen the gap in weight between these and my full squat by about 30lbs.

Keep at Brandy-- they eventually get better! :thumb:

I used to HATE them. Now I'm liking the results. :nod:

I'm on a front squat kick right now myself. Much more enjoyable than back squatting for me right now.
Brandy
06-06-2007, 04:22 PM
It's only taken me a full year, but I am finally doing these well for me. I've managed to lessen the gap in weight between these and my full squat by about 30lbs.



How far of a gap should there be? Mine's also 30 lbs. What's "normal"? :unsure:
Cindy Day
06-06-2007, 05:05 PM
I'm on a front squat kick right now myself. Much more enjoyable than back squatting for me right now.

I'm liking them, but never more than my back squat. I LOVE back squats.


How far of a gap should there be? Mine's also 30 lbs. What's "normal"? :unsure:
The number I heard thrown around was that you want your front squat to be 80% of your full/back squat (at least). That is where mine is approximately right now.
Jeff Rage
06-06-2007, 05:11 PM
Brandy, does the bar feel like it's lightly choking you?

I also prefer the Oly grip. It takes a while to get used to it. If done correctly, there is almost no weight on your fingers.

Another option is to hold onto wrist straps that are attached to the bar.
Audrey
06-06-2007, 07:28 PM
I'm on a front squat kick right now myself. Much more enjoyable than back squatting for me right now.

:ditto:

I used to hate front squats but now I LOVE them... much more than back squats. My weights are actually the same for front squats and back squats (which I know is not the norm) :dry:

I personally use an Olympic grip, like this:
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/images/frontsquat2.jpg
Inatic
06-06-2007, 07:47 PM
Seems there are a few of us on Front kicks :) Loved fronts especially this am :D :flex: It puts no pressure on my back, especially when it's whiny like today.

I can not hold the bar (other than for complexes) with the oly grip, i guess my wrist flexiblity stinks. It feels like my wrist wants to snap off. Luckily I am very comfy with the cross grip.

I get the bar on my shoulders and cross grip on the bar (thumbs inside) on ea side of my neck.
Citruscide
06-06-2007, 08:27 PM
Definitely... I've always said if the bar doesn't feel like it is lightly choking you, then you don't have it high enough up. If it is lower than that... it's much more difficult to keep it up and it can cause adverse stress on other areas (arms, shoulders, even your back if you end up being carried forward with the weight).

C-ditty
smuggie
06-06-2007, 08:47 PM
Front squats = http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/montagnu/ellis/fingermad.gif
Karoliina
06-07-2007, 01:37 PM
i was just thinking about asking the same questions... but when i use the olympic i cant seem to stick my elbows out far enough like the picture... when i use the cross grip it hurts my shoulders...
rogmel
06-07-2007, 02:20 PM
i :love: front squats.....i use the oly grip too.....what a difference in the development in the lower portion of my quads.....
Ana
06-07-2007, 02:23 PM
Please excuse this dumb question. what's difference (in the muscles it works) between squats and front squats. I always sub front squats for leg presses :(
TillyT
06-07-2007, 03:23 PM
:ditto:

I used to hate front squats but now I LOVE them... much more than back squats. My weights are actually the same for front squats and back squats (which I know is not the norm) :dry:

I personally use an Olympic grip, like this:
http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/images/frontsquat2.jpg

Thanks for the pic Audrey. I typically use the cross arm grip, but I really want to get better at the Oly grip. For some reason I've always thought the elbows needed to be way higher for the Oly grip, which is why I gave up on it. :doh: But the grip that Krista is doing in the picture, I think I can manage.

ETA: I may be alone in this, but I really don't enjoy doing squats at all. :yucky: I only do them because I know they're good for me. :oops:
Ana
06-07-2007, 03:33 PM
Thanks for the pic Audrey. I typically use the cross arm grip, but I really want to get better at the Oly grip. For some reason I've always thought the elbows needed to be way higher for the Oly grip, which is why I gave up on it. :doh: But the grip that Krista is doing in the picture, I think I can manage.

ETA: I may be alone in this, but I really don't enjoy doing squats at all. :yucky: I only do them because I know they're good for me. :oops:

You're not alone :shhh:


Why would the grip matter other than comfort? Does it impact the lift? Please don't stone me i'm really not familiar with these at all, but think i'll give them a shot. I do them in my complexes but have very little weight on them
radgirl
06-07-2007, 04:22 PM
I'm scared of front squats. Tried them once and sucked miserably. :dry:
Audrey
06-07-2007, 04:38 PM
You're not alone :shhh:

Why would the grip matter other than comfort? Does it impact the lift? Please don't stone me i'm really not familiar with these at all, but think i'll give them a shot. I do them in my complexes but have very little weight on them

I hate back squats (but then again, I suck at them) :dry: Front squats... I like :D

As for the grip, most people using the cross grip will have their shoulders getting fatigued way before their legs do, thus compromising the weight/tonnage they can use for their legs. It is not so much an issue when using an Olympic grip.
Ana
06-07-2007, 04:52 PM
I hate back squats (but then again, I suck at them) :dry: Front squats... I like :D

As for the grip, most people using the cross grip will have their shoulders getting fatigued way before their legs do, thus compromising the weight/tonnage they can use for their legs. It is not so much an issue when using an Olympic grip.
Do they work different muscles?
Do you load from the squat rack as you would on reg squats and walk out of the cage? cuz I wouldn't be able to hoist the bar and the weight up like that :funny:
Jeff Rage
06-07-2007, 05:24 PM
Do they work different muscles?
Do you load from the squat rack as you would on reg squats and walk out of the cage? cuz I wouldn't be able to hoist the bar and the weight up like that :funny:
Yes, you load up the rack the same way you would for regular Squats.
Ali
06-07-2007, 05:45 PM
I think front squats put more emphasis on your quads...and less on your back. And the OLY grip, sometimes it hurts people's wrists...so you might need to start stretching your wrists if you find it is uncomfortable. But I feel MUCH more stable with an Oly grip. I feel like I will tip with the cross arm thingy. Just stretch...you'll get used to it...

I do not like squats. They are HARD for me. One of those exercises that just wear you out all over...like deadlifts.
magdalynaa
06-07-2007, 06:19 PM
I'm scared of front squats. Tried them once and sucked miserably. :dry:

Don't let that scare you off! My first front squat adventure was pretty traumatic, but now they're one of my favorites. My problem was that I somehow thought I would be able to front squat the same weight as I back squat. Yeeeaaaaaaah, not so much... :eh:
Ana
06-07-2007, 06:21 PM
I'm going to try them :yippee:
Ali
06-07-2007, 06:36 PM
Don't let that scare you off! My first front squat adventure was pretty traumatic, but now they're one of my favorites. My problem was that I somehow thought I would be able to front squat the same weight as I back squat. Yeeeaaaaaaah, not so much... :eh:

:lol3: Me, either.
Brandy
06-10-2007, 03:10 PM
Okay, I tried this using (what I thought) the Oly grip. But now I see I used the cross one, and had the bar too low and my shlouders and arms were way up. Cause my arms are killing me today. :baby: And I felt it was more challenging for me this way. Which was okay by me, but it didn't feel "right" Now I see it's because it wasn't.

Well, I know for sure next time. :thumb:

Thanks guys!! This all really helped. I'll let you know how the next attempt goes.
Cindy Day
06-20-2007, 05:51 PM
After training last week in the gym in Chicago, Erik showed us how to use this grip correctly and I must say using the Oly grip is going rather well. :thumb: I'm just above 80% (83-85%) of my back squat right now. :yippee:
Ana
06-20-2007, 05:56 PM
I could barely do that bar :(
Ana
06-20-2007, 05:56 PM
and I almost fell backwards :(
Tony
06-20-2007, 05:58 PM
I like front squats. Due to the nature of the movement, there is lot less allowable "wiggle room" as opposed to back squats. It pretty much forces you into correct form. Form deviations in the front squat will lead to either dumping the bar or falling and getting pwnd just as Ana did. :lol3:
Erik
06-20-2007, 05:59 PM
and I almost fell backwards :(

Let me know when you want to hit the gym and I'll show you.
Inatic
06-20-2007, 06:07 PM
I should note since we had Erik in the gym with us in Chi town, i've also changed my grip to the oly. This am i was able to increase my wt as i become more comfy with it. I need to keep stretching my wrists, as that is what is hold me back some what.


Let me know when you want to hit the gym and I'll show you.

Thanks again for helping me. :D
Ana
06-20-2007, 06:17 PM
Let me know when you want to hit the gym and I'll show you.

5pm :D

Maybe sat after we take care of errands :shrug:
Erik
06-20-2007, 06:18 PM
5pm :D

Maybe sat after we take care of errands :shrug:

I'm actually front squatting today ... right about that time.
Ana
06-20-2007, 06:20 PM
I like front squats. Due to the nature of the movement, there is lot less allowable "wiggle room" as opposed to back squats. It pretty much forces you into correct form. Form deviations in the front squat will lead to either dumping the bar or falling and getting pwnd just as Ana did. :lol3:

:lol3:

:p:
Ali
06-20-2007, 07:15 PM
I'm actually front squatting today ... right about that time.

:nod: Go get it, girl.
Ana
06-20-2007, 07:41 PM
I'm actually front squatting today ... right about that time.

:ban: George is on nights I have Mariana :(
Ana
06-20-2007, 07:43 PM
When is your next front squat day? Can probably make it then
Erik
06-20-2007, 08:07 PM
When is your next front squat day? Can probably make it then

Next Wednesday. Or I could just come to your gym whenever.
Cindy Day
06-20-2007, 08:12 PM
:ban: George is on nights I have Mariana :(
It's about time that little girl learns to handle the bar. :girly:

:lol:
Ana
06-20-2007, 08:14 PM
Next Wednesday. Or I could just come to your gym whenever.

George is off next wed. should be good to go. I go to the gym at 5am you're welcome to come along :lol3:
I ws just planning on having you show me the squatt and then stare at all your hottness while you do yours :stalker:


:D
Inatic
06-20-2007, 08:17 PM
George is off next wed. should be good to go. I go to the gym at 5am you're welcome to come along :lol3:
I ws just planning on having you show me the squatt and then stare at all your hottness while you do yours :stalker:


:Dwe got to watch that last week :D :oops:
Ana
06-20-2007, 08:18 PM
we got to watch that last week :D :oops:

I missed it :dry: