static squat VS bar

Hi guys
The trainer I'm working with seems to have a real preference for me to do static squat holds with no weight(about 90 secs, we always try to beat my previous time), followed by body weight squats(about 12) as opposed to squatting with the bar. He says it's much tougher, that loads of people he trains can squat really heavy weights but can't even last a minute in the static squat position. We do it with a belt looped round my waist and a machine for me to keep balance as I have to lean back(no idea if this is the norm, so forgive me if I am stating the obvious) It is really tough, my whole body is twitching when we're done, but I loved squatting with the bar before and I think my thighs were def better for it. Just keen to know what you think? I'm still new to lifting so don't want to start making suggestions to someone who has been training for years if his way is valid.
Thanks

Replies

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Got any skiing coming up?
    You'll be trained for it.

    That's also isometric workout. http://www.exrx.net/Kinesiology/Glossary.html#anchor1290868

    Something to be said for having a full range of motion though. http://www.exrx.net/ExInfo/Specificity.html#anchor5874362

    But that type of exercise can have it's specific uses. http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Techniques.html#anchor699195

    But if none of that applies, notice the one article mentions you are only getting stronger for that angle and about 20 degrees around it. Why bother in that case.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    What are your goals?
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    What are your goals?

    My main priority at the minute is fat loss. I do want to get stronger, build muscle but I need to shed the fat lbs
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    What are your goals?

    My main priority at the minute is fat loss. I do want to get stronger, build muscle but I need to shed the fat lbs

    Your trainer mentions that it's more difficult. Can he tell you what the benefits are of doing that type of training? Ask him why you are doing them. If he says they are more difficult, I don't think that's an answer.

    It's probably difficult to balance a taco on the end of a barbell while standing on a bosu ball but since I have better things to do with my time, I don't do it. See where I'm going?

    Now I'm not suggesting that those two activities are equivalent, but I'd like to hear the rationale behind it.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    Honestly it sounds like he's not competenet to coach a barbell squat so he uses this quackery to try and imitate it.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Honestly it sounds like he's not competenet to coach a barbell squat so he uses this quackery to try and imitate it.

    Well, and/or he can't do one with good form as an example, so he found an exercise that those that can squat well have trouble doing.

    I'll bet all those great squaters in the gym that have trouble doing his little routine, would also have trouble with the taco on the end of a barbell standing on a bosu ball.

    And I'm bringing in a taco tonight and see what kind of stares I get attempting that.

    Or, and this could be interesting, I'll do that static squat in the squat rack, get some good grunts going and facial expressions, and see if anyone will imitate me when I'm done.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    The other thing is he gets you rigged up to a machine to stop you falling over... I can't speak for anyone else, but I know I can hold a squat through most of the ROM for a decent amount of time without performing this exercise, without anything holding me up.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    I somehow appeal to rising to the challenge of balancing a taco on the end of my raised leg while I perform a slow motion pistol squat.

    Seriously, while I can see the benefit of holding a static squat if your goal is to be able to hold a static position at or around the angle the static squat is being performed - we do this in yoga in preparation for the more advanced stuff - but not where it surely requires more motion under resistance for a greater calorie burn which the OP has said is her main objective.

    - and tied to a machine for stability? Sounds potentially dangerous if not just a bit weird.
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    Hey guys

    Thanks for the comments. So I was nervous about asking my trainer about this, but tonight I trained legs and although I didn't quite have the courage to ask the point of the static squat I asked if we could barbell squat instead. I said I really wanted to and he said sure.
    He told me he isn't a fan of barbell squats. He tore a quad pretty bad doing them before and that put him off. He's not a "PT" he's a bodybuilder and owns the gym and he has been helping me with training as i didn't know what to do, so I think he was maybe just being overly cautious. TBH he seemed nervous that I wanted to do them, I think he was genuinely concerned about injury so he therefore went for a different option. There's practically no girls train in this gym so I think he's not used to girls wanting to work the same as guys. Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    LOL - brilliant.

    Did you say something while peeling it off, like - "I don't think I'll be needing this"?
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    Hey guys

    Thanks for the comments. So I was nervous about asking my trainer about this, but tonight I trained legs and although I didn't quite have the courage to ask the point of the static squat I asked if we could barbell squat instead. I said I really wanted to and he said sure.
    He told me he isn't a fan of barbell squats. He tore a quad pretty bad doing them before and that put him off. He's not a "PT" he's a bodybuilder and owns the gym and he has been helping me with training as i didn't know what to do, so I think he was maybe just being overly cautious. TBH he seemed nervous that I wanted to do them, I think he was genuinely concerned about injury so he therefore went for a different option. There's practically no girls train in this gym so I think he's not used to girls wanting to work the same as guys. Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    This sounds incredibly similar to my gym - not in Adelaide are you? :)

    The owner is a body builder, and he's not qualified as a PT, he can put together a decent BB program but when I tried to get him to work in BB squats he was hesitant - tried to put me on the leg press and the smith machine. He just didn't get that I wanted to train for strength and stability (and that a bb split routine might not be the best for me whilst on a caloric deficit). Really nice guy though :)
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    LOL - brilliant.

    Did you say something while peeling it off, like - "I don't think I'll be needing this"?
    I said, "I think we'll take this off" and he did a little smile and asked if I was sure. It hurts today though, but not enough to justify using a ***** pillow!
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    LOL - brilliant.

    Did you say something while peeling it off, like - "I don't think I'll be needing this"?
    I said, "I think we'll take this off" and he did a little smile and asked if I was sure. It hurts today though, but not enough to justify using a ***** pillow!
    Can't believe MFP blanked out that word, I wasn't being rude, *****cat pillow!
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    I like your style :)
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    LOL - brilliant.

    Did you say something while peeling it off, like - "I don't think I'll be needing this"?
    I said, "I think we'll take this off" and he did a little smile and asked if I was sure. It hurts today though, but not enough to justify using a ***** pillow!
    Can't believe MFP blanked out that word, I wasn't being rude, pussy pillow!

    Fixed it for ya!
  • Philllbis
    Philllbis Posts: 801 Member
    I think that once you've got your body weight on a barbell and are squatting to parallel it's much more difficult than holding yourself in a static squat.

    If you want to work your core, glutes and quads, I'd squat with the barbell.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Maybe he was preparing you for camping or tailgating when all the places to sit are taken so you can still sit comfortably in the air for an extended period of time.
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    Anyway I was happy, I took off the little cushion the guy before me had been using ;)

    LOL - brilliant.

    Did you say something while peeling it off, like - "I don't think I'll be needing this"?
    I said, "I think we'll take this off" and he did a little smile and asked if I was sure. It hurts today though, but not enough to justify using a ***** pillow!
    Can't believe MFP blanked out that word, I wasn't being rude, pussy pillow!

    Fixed it for ya!

    genius, thanks
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    Maybe he was preparing you for camping or tailgating when all the places to sit are taken so you can still sit comfortably in the air for an extended period of time.

    From now on when I go to a party, I'll be like, "no don't worry, I don't need a seat" and I'll just wow everyone with how I sit on an imaginary chair all night
  • Strangegirlz
    Strangegirlz Posts: 92 Member
    I think that once you've got your body weight on a barbell and are squatting to parallel it's much more difficult than holding yourself in a static squat.

    If you want to work your core, glutes and quads, I'd squat with the barbell.

    Thanks, I'm on it