weighted squats

debrag12

So I am having issues with doing squats with a barbell. My upper arms get stiff & store with me holding the bar, I find my arms want to just stay in that position lol

I'm told I have tight upper arms, it there anything I can do to over come this, to loosen up my biceps/deltoids?

JoRocka

keep doing the things, mobility improves with continued work.
Do research on shoulder mobility
buy a foam roller
drink water
do less reps- heavier weights
actual rest between sets

question is a little vague honestly- but those are the things I can think of.

hill8570

Doorway stretches are good. A secondary help would be to use a tennis ball / racquetball to massage the area between the delts and the pecs.

vorgas

Use a false grip (thumb goes over the barbell instead of under).
Widen your grip.

jacksonpt

Try these for your shoulders...

use a towel, 1 end in each hand, and pull up on the towel if you can't get your hands to touch. This stretches the shoulder of the down/lower arm.


Pull elbow across/behind the head, this stretches the shoulder and lats on the upper arm side.

Sam_I_Am77

It's hard to say without seeing you move but it definitely sounds like a flexibility issue. For a general prescription, Joe DeFranco has a great upper body mobility video on YouTube called "Simple 6." Also, he has a lower-body companion video called "Limber 11." Both should be done once per day and definitely prior to training, any kind of trainer / exercise.

jmule24

From what you're sharing; it sounds to me like it's your shoulders and not your arms. I would recommend doing some mobility work with regards to your rotator cuffs. You're not alone, many people have weak shoulders. Personally, I do "scarecrows" with 5lb dumbbells to warm up before I squat heavy weights. It has really helped to loosen up my shoulders.

debrag12

Thanks everyone. I will look into those exercises etc

charlesmauch

I usually do 10 or 20 shoulder dislocations before I step under the bar. Helps me get my shoulders warm and my arms comfortable with the position when starting to work with light weight during warmup sets.

If I skip that particular stretch, I'm usually a bit uncomfortable for the first 2 or 3 warmup sets, but by the time I hit my working weight I'm fine.

http://stronglifts.com/shoulders-dislocations/

Showcase_Brodown

I think you are probably talking about a shoulder issue like some others have mentioned. Sometimes when I squat, my shoulders will be a little stubborn and I'll have to stretch them out and move them a little to be more comfortable.

But, just to be sure, you're not supporting the weight of the bar with your arms, are you? The weight should be all on your shoulders and back. You're just securing it with your arms so it doesn't float away or something.