Front Squats

gjriddle

Hi friends! My trainer has gotten me started with front squats, which I LOVE -- but I'm encountering some trouble with my arms from them. He has me with elbows out, hands crossed essentially supporting the bar on the tops of my arms. I have great balance with it, but my arms feel like they're bruised from the weight of the bar..

Does anyone have any tips on an alternate grip to prevent this? I love the front squat on my legs and glutes but it's really hurting my arms!

juliebeannn

bruises will happen. i usually hold the bar in my fingers and elbows straight out. this grip is actually harder for most b/c of inflexible wrists/arms. as the weight of the bar goes up, i'm finding more random bruises here and there. i just take them as battle wounds and hope they're not too noticeable.

sorry...this wasn't helpful at all, huh? :ohwell:

bizco

The bar should rest on the top of your deltoids. Here's a video showing front squats with a clean grip. Hope it helps.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/front-squat-clean-grip

Here's a video showing arms crossed like you're doing:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/front-barbell-squat

gjriddle

Thanks! I'm definitely balancing on my delts, with the arms crossed. I'll try the clean grip and see if that helps.

Although, at the end of the day, I don't mind the battle wounds themselves.. it's just tough when I go for my next lift session and am still bruised -- it hurts so bad!