Have you ever actually gotten stuck during a squat?
grandevampire
Posts: 242
As I was nearing the end of my squat sets today, I was wondering if I would have to use the safety pins in the squat rack one day, and if that would be pretty commonplace or a rare "shameful" incident...
Have you gals ever had to bail? If so, how often has that happened?
Have you gals ever had to bail? If so, how often has that happened?
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I did, accidentally, a couple of weeks ago, got to my 4th squat in my final set of 5, went about an inch too low, and just sat down!
very grateful for the arms to catch the bar, and the chap at the rack next to me helped lift it back up to the pins (while we were both laughing).
I try to be aware of my depth and the weight on my back a bit more now!0 -
yes a couple of times... I have rubber plates so I just dropped the barbell on the floor. I workout at home so no really big sense of shame lol but I do wonder what our downstairs neighbours think when that happens. And when I drop the bar down hard sometimes on deadlifts.
I think it's fairly commonplace, so don't feel bad about it. It means you're pushing yourself to your limits, it doesn't mean you failed.
Also, being able to lift weights heavier than ones you had to drop in the past, makes you feel really, really, really good
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I didn't necessarily mean for this to be a funny stories thread, but I did get a chuckle out of that story. Thanks for the morning comic relief!I did, accidentally, a couple of weeks ago, got to my 4th squat in my final set of 5, went about an inch too low, and just sat down!
very grateful for the arms to catch the bar, and the chap at the rack next to me helped lift it back up to the pins (while we were both laughing).
I try to be aware of my depth and the weight on my back a bit more now!
I will definitely take the time to make sure the safety pins are set up at the right height from now on then, just in case!!0 -
It happens to everyone, especially when you are trying for 1RM or 5RM but if you are working out alone then definitely set up the safety pins, or if all else fails dump that bar backwards!0
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Nope, hasn't happened to me. My form would break down long before I approach a weight that could get me stuck, so I don't go there. I've failed some presses, deadlifts, and bench presses, though.0
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Haha, well I was hoping to avoid testing my 1RM/5RM when lifting alone, but I guess as I'm still extremely inexperienced, I will have no idea when that creeps up on me. Maybe I should practice benching roll of shame with an empty bar just in case too!It happens to everyone, especially when you are trying for 1RM or 5RM but if you are working out alone then definitely set up the safety pins, or if all else fails dump that bar backwards!0 -
Haha, well I was hoping to avoid testing my 1RM/5RM when lifting alone, but I guess as I'm still extremely inexperienced, I will have no idea when that creeps up on me. Maybe I should practice benching roll of shame with an empty bar just in case too!It happens to everyone, especially when you are trying for 1RM or 5RM but if you are working out alone then definitely set up the safety pins, or if all else fails dump that bar backwards!
Why are you testing your 1RM? You're still a novice lifter, right? It will be a while before you need to know what your 1/5RM is...0 -
Unintentionally, due to inexperience.
Haha, well I was hoping to avoid testing my 1RM/5RM when lifting alone, but I guess as I'm still extremely inexperienced, I will have no idea when that creeps up on me. Maybe I should practice benching roll of shame with an empty bar just in case too!It happens to everyone, especially when you are trying for 1RM or 5RM but if you are working out alone then definitely set up the safety pins, or if all else fails dump that bar backwards!
Why are you testing your 1RM? You're still a novice lifter, right? It will be a while before you need to know what your 1/5RM is...0 -
Unintentionally, due to inexperience.
Haha, well I was hoping to avoid testing my 1RM/5RM when lifting alone, but I guess as I'm still extremely inexperienced, I will have no idea when that creeps up on me. Maybe I should practice benching roll of shame with an empty bar just in case too!It happens to everyone, especially when you are trying for 1RM or 5RM but if you are working out alone then definitely set up the safety pins, or if all else fails dump that bar backwards!
Why are you testing your 1RM? You're still a novice lifter, right? It will be a while before you need to know what your 1/5RM is...
Ah, I see I think the common sense thing to do would be to not increase the weight until you can handle your current working weight with good form. If your form is solid at weight X, then X+5lb should not challenge you so much that you fail (on a squat--the jumps might have to be even smaller when we are talking about smaller muscle lifts such as bench press and the overhead press). 0 -
Yep, I guess it's maybe not wildly likely that I could complete 5x5 solidly one day but fail to complete even 5 reps at +2.5kg the next, but I honestly wouldn't know any better at this point. Embarrassing, but today, 2.5kg feels super heavy to me. Lol. I got my own 1.25kg plates in case the gym didn't have any lying around, and I do feel the diff carryin them around in my backpack. :PUnintentionally, due to inexperience.
Ah, I see I think the common sense thing to do would be to not increase the weight until you can handle your current working weight with good form. If your form is solid at weight X, then X+5lb should not challenge you so much that you fail (on a squat--the jumps might have to be even smaller when we are talking about smaller muscle lifts such as bench press and the overhead press).
I guess when I start feeling my working weights getting tough to complete, I could stay on them until completely comfortable. Don't know if that is being overly cautious/conservative in terms of making progress though.0 -
Yep, I guess it's maybe not wildly likely that I could complete 5x5 solidly one day but fail to complete even 5 reps at +2.5kg the next, but I honestly wouldn't know any better at this point. Embarrassing, but today, 2.5kg feels super heavy to me. Lol. I got my own 1.25kg plates in case the gym didn't have any lying around, and I do feel the diff carryin them around in my backpack. :PUnintentionally, due to inexperience.
Ah, I see I think the common sense thing to do would be to not increase the weight until you can handle your current working weight with good form. If your form is solid at weight X, then X+5lb should not challenge you so much that you fail (on a squat--the jumps might have to be even smaller when we are talking about smaller muscle lifts such as bench press and the overhead press).
I guess when I start feeling my working weights getting tough to complete, I could stay on them until completely comfortable. Don't know if that is being overly cautious/conservative in terms of making progress though.
As long as you are ultimately trying to make progress, that is, adding weight to the bar is part of the plan, I see no problem with staying at the same weight for several weeks. I would rather do that than get hurt and not be able to lift at all.
And yes, if you feel stuck at the same weight, small fractionals (even smaller than 1.25 kg, if you can find them) are a good way to make incremental progress.0 -
P.S. But don't underestimate noob gains. You will never make gains as rapid as right now, so make the most of it!0
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Yes, ma'am! *cues up Eye of the Tiger*P.S. But don't underestimate noob gains. You will never make gains as rapid as right now, so make the most of it!
My first goal is actually just to be able to OHP the Olympic bar. Lol. -_- I did 15kg without issue, so riding the noob gains, fingers crossed that I'll be there in a couple weeks!0 -
I worry about this everyday and on each and every lift. I am only 7 weeks in and already bench presses are giving me problems. Had to do the roll of shame myself this week. Just could not lift that bar on my last rep. I worry about weight progression too. I'm trying to add weight on squats and deadlifts every time but the upper body lifts I can't add every time. Where are you getting the smaller weights to add to the bar? The lowest my gym has is 2.5 lbs. I checked ****'s Sporting Goods but couldn't find any.0
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I ordered mine online from a French site but I only bought two 1.25kg plates (which are 2.5lbs). Mehdi recommends the whole Iron Woody's fractional plate set, but it was a little pricey to pick up before even finishing my first week (especially the metric version at $80 + shipping). I may eventually have to invest in that.I worry about this everyday and on each and every lift. I am only 7 weeks in and already bench presses are giving me problems. Had to do the roll of shame myself this week. Just could not lift that bar on my last rep. I worry about weight progression too. I'm trying to add weight on squats and deadlifts every time but the upper body lifts I can't add every time. Where are you getting the smaller weights to add to the bar? The lowest my gym has is 2.5 lbs. I checked ****'s Sporting Goods but couldn't find any.
http://www.ironwoodyfitness.com/equipment/fractional-plates.html0 -
I ordered mine online from a French site but I only bought two 1.25kg plates (which are 2.5lbs). Mehdi recommends the whole Iron Woody's fractional plate set, but it was a little pricey to pick up before even finishing my first week (especially the metric version at $80 + shipping). I may eventually have to invest in that.I worry about this everyday and on each and every lift. I am only 7 weeks in and already bench presses are giving me problems. Had to do the roll of shame myself this week. Just could not lift that bar on my last rep. I worry about weight progression too. I'm trying to add weight on squats and deadlifts every time but the upper body lifts I can't add every time. Where are you getting the smaller weights to add to the bar? The lowest my gym has is 2.5 lbs. I checked ****'s Sporting Goods but couldn't find any.
http://www.ironwoodyfitness.com/equipment/fractional-plates.html
Thanks so much!! Will have to check them out. :-)0 -
Np, I caved and ordered them. $59.99 shipping to France. -_- Bettah be wurth it!!!0
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I believe Mark Rippetoe mentioned in his book that you can pick up large diameter washers at a hardware store that will fit an Olympic bar. If your time is worth less to you than $49.99 plus shipping, it might be worth investigating.0
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Hardware stores here are terrible too. I dunno, sometimes I don't understand this country.I believe Mark Rippetoe mentioned in his book that you can pick up large diameter washers at a hardware store that will fit an Olympic bar. If your time is worth less to you than $49.99 plus shipping, it might be worth investigating. 0 -
Thanks so much!! Will have to check them out. :-)
If you're in the US (which I assume you are since you mentioned D!cks Sporting Goods), I'd recommend the 2-inch plated Fastenal washers. 2 of those gives you roughly 1.25 lbs, and 4 gives you 2.5. I bought 6 just to be sure. Total was about $24. We happen to have a local Fastenal store, but you can order them online also.
You'd have to take them to the gym with you of course, but you'd have to do that if you purchased your own fractional plates anyway.0 -
Thanks so much!! Will have to check them out. :-)
If you're in the US (which I assume you are since you mentioned D!cks Sporting Goods), I'd recommend the 2-inch plated Fastenal washers. 2 of those gives you roughly 1.25 lbs, and 4 gives you 2.5. I bought 6 just to be sure. Total was about $24. We happen to have a local Fastenal store, but you can order them online also.
You'd have to take them to the gym with you of course, but you'd have to do that if you purchased your own fractional plates anyway.
Brilliant--saves me some work!
Their website definitely has 2" washers, and it specifies their weight even (a bit over 0.6lb/0.25 kg each):
http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/details/330380 -
This one day I kept failing set after set after set. This big buff dude that I had never before was watching me and started up a conversation with me about it. I pretty much explained that I was just learning how to low bar back squat (LBBS). He was a cool guy and everything. It was just weird timing I guess. I don't really look at stuff like that as "failures", but more as learning experiences.0
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Not yet, but I have a feeling that it's bound to happen one day. I don't see it as embarrassing though, the safety bars are there for a reason. And if anyone in your gym thinks so, then they've probably never squatted heavy in their life!!0
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This one day I kept failing set after set after set. This big buff dude that I had never before was watching me and started up a conversation with me about it. I pretty much explained that I was just learning how to low bar back squat (LBBS). He was a cool guy and everything. It was just weird timing I guess. I don't really look at stuff like that as "failures", but more as learning experiences.
Hmm... if I am learning a new exercise, I work with a light weight, so I can focus on form...0 -
This one day I kept failing set after set after set. This big buff dude that I had never before was watching me and started up a conversation with me about it. I pretty much explained that I was just learning how to low bar back squat (LBBS). He was a cool guy and everything. It was just weird timing I guess. I don't really look at stuff like that as "failures", but more as learning experiences.
Hmm... if I am learning a new exercise, I work with a light weight, so I can focus on form...
I was switching from High bar squats and should have had enough strength to do them. Everything turned out ok in the long run.0 -
Haha annnnd I got stuck today. My legs were not feeling fresh from the get go, and 30kg felt "significant" when I unracked. I managed to get 3 reps in with pretty decent form and on the 4th rep totally ran out of gas to get out of the hole. Luckily, the safety pins were there to let me leave it and duck out.
I know it's not the standard procedure, but I think I will work on 27.5kg for a while until it feels easier to me. From the numbers I see around here, 30kg isn't all that much weight, so maybe my coordination just isn't great yet?
Any thoughts on whether I should push through as many reps/sets as I can at 30kg for three workouts, even if it's like 5x2 or 3, then deload instead?0 -
I don't think it's worth going up further before you get 5x5 with -good- form, and part of that will be confidence in what you are doing. As you aren't yet confident that your form is perfect, I think you are wise to drop back a bit and nail it.
Try to post a video! 0 -
I don't think it's worth going up further before you get 5x5 with -good- form, and part of that will be confidence in what you are doing. As you aren't yet confident that your form is perfect, I think you are wise to drop back a bit and nail it.
Try to post a video!
I agree that it would be unwise to increase the load. I would make a video from the side (with both your head and feet within frame, if possible) and from the back. Sometimes a slight form tweak adds a lot of power to your lift.0 -
I failed Thursday on squats. Actually failed for a "good" reason. As my weight has gone up in squats, I suspected my form wasn't up to snuff. Finally decided to video myself and, yep, not going nearly low enough. What good is squatting 95lb if you're not doing it right? I could see knee problems approaching.
I kept deloading to find a weight where I could go down properly. Lost my balance at 65lb and the safety bars caught the bar perfectly. Was embarrassing to watch the video, but could see the problem (knees turning in). Very good lesson learned there.
So, I'm back to form practicing on the squats. No weight with them (not even bar) until I get my form correct, then slow progression back up. My knees are too important (I run a lot, so I can't risk a knee injury).
Oh, and I nearly failed on a bench press recently. Total noob and miscalculated how much weight I'd put on the bar. Ended up having 15lbs too much (from what was supposed to be a 2.5lb increase). At least I know I can at least 1RMAX 85lb.:bigsmile:0
