Front Bar Squats Question!!!
BarbaraCarr1981
Posts: 903 Member
Hey, I just started doing front bar squats after doing a month of body squats (30 day challenge). I started my bar with 50lbs and now Im at 60lbs. My question is am I really doing them right because I feel most of the muscle working in the quads, NOT the glutes... whats up with that?
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yes front squats place way more emphasis on the quads as you have to stay so upright.
If you get deep enough you should still get some decent glute work out of it, but if I am doing front squats I will add in another move for posterior chain afterwards like good mornings.0 -
A2G squats, baby!
Just make sure that you're not letting your knees collapse inward as you push up. Use your glutes to keep your knees firmly aimed in the same direction as your toes.0 -
A2G squats, baby!
Just make sure that you're not letting your knees collapse inward as you push up. Use your glutes to keep your knees firmly aimed in the same direction as your toes.
Do you still hold the bar infront when doing A2G squats? I broke my neck 7 years ago and no way im holding a bar behind it. Im so lucky to be able to lift at all!!!0 -
A2G squats, baby!
Just make sure that you're not letting your knees collapse inward as you push up. Use your glutes to keep your knees firmly aimed in the same direction as your toes.
Do you still hold the bar infront when doing A2G squats? I broke my neck 7 years ago and no way im holding a bar behind it. Im so lucky to be able to lift at all!!!
You wouldn't put the bar on your neck. It sits on your (mid) traps (shoulder length).0 -
ow! well you can do squats with dumbbells as well on in each hand I do that when I don't have a spotter or a squat rack0
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Still, anything behind my head irritates the hell out of my muscles. Not a day does by that i dont have discomfort in neck or back muscles. I just deal with it and work out anyways. BUT I really prefer front bar squats and I can still get down pretty low for those so....A2G squats, baby!
Just make sure that you're not letting your knees collapse inward as you push up. Use your glutes to keep your knees firmly aimed in the same direction as your toes.
Do you still hold the bar infront when doing A2G squats? I broke my neck 7 years ago and no way im holding a bar behind it. Im so lucky to be able to lift at all!!!
You wouldn't put the bar on your neck. It sits on your traps.0 -
For a front squat, you're holding the bar in front and it rests along your pecs and on top of your delts. Elbows should be up with your upper arm parallel to the floor. And you can still get your butt way down on these with good form.0
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It's crazy how effed my muscles got from breaking my neck. I had to spend 3 months in a halo brace - not fun!!! These muscles sometimes cause painful headaches too. It's amazing how many muscles are effected when u break u neck.0
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It's crazy how effed my muscles got from breaking my neck. I had to spend 3 months in a halo brace - not fun!!! These muscles sometimes cause painful headaches too. It's amazing how many muscles are effected when u break u neck.
I CAN IMAGINE!! that would be just terrible0 -
Still, anything behind my head irritates the hell out of my muscles. Not a day does by that i dont have discomfort in neck or back muscles. I just deal with it and work out anyways. BUT I really prefer front bar squats and I can still get down pretty low for those so....A2G squats, baby!
Just make sure that you're not letting your knees collapse inward as you push up. Use your glutes to keep your knees firmly aimed in the same direction as your toes.
Do you still hold the bar infront when doing A2G squats? I broke my neck 7 years ago and no way im holding a bar behind it. Im so lucky to be able to lift at all!!!
You wouldn't put the bar on your neck. It sits on your traps.
Okay, I get it. Don't be afraid to try every now and then, tho.
What about glute bridges and hip thrusts? Or the good mornings previously mentioned? Also previously mention the squats with the dumbells. Jump squats are good, too.0 -
Ouchie. Have you talked to a physical therapist about your strength training program? I wouldn't take advice from people on the internet if I had a broken neck. That's serious.0
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I will have to look those moves up on Youtube. I had no idea what they are. just that they work glutes.0
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I'd do behind the head.... You want em to hit your glutes.. If you're using a cushion, it's going to sit on your shoulders and traps, wont affect your neck especially if you're doing the weigh you are..0
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Ouchie. Have you talked to a physical therapist about your strength training program? I wouldn't take advice from people on the internet if I had a broken neck. That's serious.
he is right def talk to your doc first! You should do this anytime you start a new workout program or diet. ( I know most people are like meh I can do it but you have a history of injury)0 -
Yeah, I'd definitely see a medical professional if I broke my damn neck haha! Even if this was a board full of trained doctors and physical therapists, we still couldn't give any helpful advice. Even a front squat has the bar touching the front of your neck. Take care!0
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I have been in physio for 5 years after the accident. It only ever helped during the session because it felt good. Now I don't see one because there's no insurance coverage after 5 years. My neurosurgeon just told me never to dive again or never go to a chiropractor.0
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I will have to look those moves up on Youtube. I had no idea what they are. just that they work glutes.
Bridges irritate my neck and it's not even broken--I wouldn't recommend it. YMMV.0 -
Hey, I just started doing front bar squats after doing a month of body squats (30 day challenge). I started my bar with 50lbs and now Im at 60lbs. My question is am I really doing them right because I feel most of the muscle working in the quads, NOT the glutes... whats up with that?
front squats target the quads more because you are in more of an upright position. If you want to target the glutes more without doing traditional squats do dumbbell step-ups on a platform that puts the tops of your thighs just under parallel to the floor.0 -
Front Squats are working the quads more then the glutes. If you want to bring up the glutes or the whole posterior chain but are unable to place a bar on your back you could try doing deadlifts.
doing both front squats and deadlifts will make sure you don't develop imbalances in your legs.0 -
I have been in physio for 5 years after the accident. It only ever helped during the session because it felt good. Now I don't see one because there's no insurance coverage after 5 years. My neurosurgeon just told me never to dive again or never go to a chiropractor.
Okay, if you wanna be your own coach, you might want to pick up a book that specifically deals with anatomy as it pertains to lifting. Starting Strength is excellent--and it describes the difference between the various squat types in detail. It also talks about how to protect your neck while doing low (back) squats. But they might still not be appropriate for you with your injury.
[EDIT: the chapter that deals with squats is available for free in the Kindle sample. There is a later chapter as well that you would have to pay for that deals with variations of deadlifts and other assistance exercises that do not involve the neck.]0 -
Front Squats are working the quads more then the glutes. If you want to bring up the glutes or the whole posterior chain but are unable to place a bar on your back you could try doing deadlifts.
doing both front squats and deadlifts will make sure you don't develop imbalances in your legs.
yep i do both squats and deadlifts0 -
i'm sorry, i assumed you had been greenlit by a doctor to do strength-training. With your condition it is very important that a specialist tells you if its ok not just to engage in physical activity but specifically do weight training.
Without that i don't recommend doing any of these exercises.0 -
Dont care. NOTHING is gonna stop me from being able to look good from strength training. Period.0
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Just like I don't let diabetes stop me from exercises or eating a little cake once in a while. I don't put up with "You can't, because u have this issue" NO Way!!!0
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Some people with an injury like me won't even work for crips sake! Get off ur *kitten* and movvvveeeee people!!!! Sorry about the rant people but yas a got me going here....0
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^^This. I may feel a slight bit in my quads in a front squat compared with a back squat...I think mainly because of stability. But, I do them just the same...lead with your *kitten* to start the squat and open the hips to get out of the ATG squat so the focus stays on the glutes (same as for a back squat...main difference for me is in the front squat you can use your elbows and chest up and tall to help drive you out of the bottom).For a front squat, you're holding the bar in front and it rests along your pecs and on top of your delts. Elbows should be up with your upper arm parallel to the floor. And you can still get your butt way down on these with good form.0 -
I'm sorry. Again. I honestly didn't mean it like that.
I just had to make that disclaimer since i shouldn't tell you to do exercises when i have no way of knowing if it is safe for you.
Even if it is just an Internet-forum.0 -
Dont care. NOTHING is gonna stop me from being able to look good from strength training. Period.
I'm the same way. I figure if you can do front squats, you'll be fine. I had a pinched nerve in my neck and freaked once. Just was a side effect of bad form and too much weight. I only ever do back squats.
If you're doing deadlifts that's good. Do you do stiff-legged deadlifts? Those'll stretch the hammies nice.
I'm not even trying to be a doctor on here. I'd like to think most people have common sense.
Oh, and I love hip thrusts. Bret Contreras has a good tutorial on doing them right and wrong on U-Tube.0 -
Well my knees are bent a little when im doing deadlifts so I guess im not doing stiff-legged then??? dunnoDont care. NOTHING is gonna stop me from being able to look good from strength training. Period.
I'm the same way. I figure if you can do front squats, you'll be fine. I had a pinched nerve in my neck and freaked once. Just was a side effect of bad form and too much weight. I only ever do back squats.
If you're doing deadlifts that's good. Do you do stiff-legged deadlifts? Those'll stretch the hammies nice.
I'm not even trying to be a doctor on here. I'd like to think most people have common sense.
Oh, and I love hip thrusts. Bret Contreras has a good tutorial on doing them right and wrong on U-Tube.0 -
Dont care. NOTHING is gonna stop me from being able to look good from strength training. Period.
I'm sorry, but what? You're willing to risk your health (and potentially life if you damage your spine) just to look good? There are plenty of other forms of exercise you can do that won't pose a risk, especially if you're not willing to consult your doctor about it. I just don't understand the logic here.
ETA: I'm not suggesting weight lifting poses a risk, just that you have a pre-existing condition that could be harmful.0
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