Only squatting the bar

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Replies

  • harlequin0318
    harlequin0318 Posts: 415 Member
    edited November 2014
    badholland wrote: »
    Hi all, thanks for the input. I did purposefully avoid usung the pad because I've read before that it's a bad idea so glad it looks like I made the right decision :)

    Can anyone tell me where my hands should be? Should they be above my shoulders on the bar quite tight or wider towards the ends of the bar? I've looked at a few videos and watched people in the gym and I can't find a consensus. I feel like this might be why my shoulders/arms hurt.

    Thanks everyone.

    You can hold the bar however you want - typically there are lines on the bar, that's where I put my middle finger, and my hands are definitely not right on top of my shoulders or else I would break my wrist - widen your grip for comfort, keep the bar on your traps and not your neck, and you should be good to go

    Edit: I use the term "however you want" loosely
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    8797266167c34c67372ab7887cfdea2a303f2ef6c554a47607689e1232a3f9da.jpg

    DONT STOP! KEEP GOING FORWARD! You wont be at 'just the bar' for long, it's a scientific impossibility if you do it regularly.
  • girlviernes
    girlviernes Posts: 2,402 Member
    sounds like me, I squat the bar on the smith machine!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    oh dont do that though.
  • Soloud
    Soloud Posts: 220
    I bet you could do better
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    edited November 2014
    If you don't wish to ask the blokes at the gym, check out some youtube or BB videos. When you get to the gym, grab some light weight and squat with a mirror on your side. This way you can see yourself from a side perspective and compare your form to what you found in youtube/BB.

  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    ^~~~ DO NOT EVER DO THIS. Under no circumstances should you ever squat while looking sideways or having your head turned.

    If you HAVE to see your reflection, turn 3/4 instead of half, so you can see in your peripheral vision, but DONT turn your head. PLEASE.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    badholland wrote: »
    Hi all, thanks for the input. I did purposefully avoid usung the pad because I've read before that it's a bad idea so glad it looks like I made the right decision :)

    Can anyone tell me where my hands should be? Should they be above my shoulders on the bar quite tight or wider towards the ends of the bar? I've looked at a few videos and watched people in the gym and I can't find a consensus. I feel like this might be why my shoulders/arms hurt.

    Thanks everyone.

    Typically, you want them in close. However, where exactly you hold the bar depends a lot on shoulder mobility. I hold a few inches out from my shoulders.

  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    If the bar is hurting your shoulders put it further down, push your shoulder blades together for the bar to rest on. I do this as my shoulders are boney and it would hurt too much.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    yeah, it isnt supposed to rest on your shoulders, it should rest across the back of you, with the meaty part of your traps in back making the perfect shaped cushion.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    yoovie wrote: »
    ^~~~ DO NOT EVER DO THIS. Under no circumstances should you ever squat while looking sideways or having your head turned.

    If you HAVE to see your reflection, turn 3/4 instead of half, so you can see in your peripheral vision, but DONT turn your head. PLEASE.

    depending on the weight your using - it's not that serious.
    - I'd be more than comfortable turning my head under 150 pounds. although I wouldn't make it a habit.

    Checking visually straight on- and videoing side on is the best option.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    well, some of us find it more serious than others, it's all opinion - but mine is better safe than sorry. others are more like -wgaf?
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    While I agree safety is important- I suspect even if the bar is you're working weight a quick side check isn't going to kill you or cause you to snap your spine- obviously working within your own range is important- but I think it's probably just not as effective a method. Less about safety and more about getting the right perspective and you can only do/see so much from a side angle like that.

    But scaring someone isn't helpful either.
  • maricash
    maricash Posts: 280 Member
    edited November 2014
    There are lots of form videos out there. I have found this one to be the most helpful:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs_Ej32IYgo



    He shows lots of examples of both how to do things and how NOT to do them. I rewatch it every so often to make sure I am keeping all the important points in mind.

    (Edited to add: I was surprised by the picture that came up for the video link. It looks ridiculous! But trust me that it is informative.)

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