Using a backpack to load squats safely

tomatoey
tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I can't use my right forearm to lift but want to load my squats. Someone on reddit said that it's better to have the weight in front, to hold it like a sandbag. I could only do that with the left arm - what about wearing the straps with the bag in front?

OR how else would you add weight to a squat? (e.g. with cable machine)

Replies

  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Front squats or maybe even safety bar squats (if you can just hold onto the handle) are what I'd do. Using a backpack is a bad idea, how would you bail from a failed squat?
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    I guess I would just fall with the backpack, lol. Yeah I can see the value of maybe not having it attached to me. Mind you, right now those would be some pretty piddly weights.

    I don't think I'd trust myself with a front squat - the most unanticipated movements trigger pain, and I'm worried about making things worse (it's a tendon-related injury). Safety bar squats look interesting, I'll look into those. Would a Smith machine make sense in this one case?
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Obviously regular squats are best but if you can't, you can't. Machines (hack squat, leg press, hamstring curls) and the Smith machine are better than nothing.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Thank you!

    I actually tried just a barbell with a squat rack today! I walked under the bar and just let it rest on my shoulders, without using my hands at all other than balancing the bar. I had no weight on it at first, and then put 20 lbs on (10 lbs each side). Not sure how I'll manage with much more weight than that, but hey.

    It was really awkward, though, and my neck started to whisper "spasm, incoming", so I stopped after 10 reps.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories