Barbells on shoulders a no-no?

MonkeyMel21
MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've never heard of this before. A woman at my gym this morning was talking about her work out routine. Another lady asked if she did squats with weights and she started going on and on about how it's terrible for your back to put any weights (like a barbell with plates) on your shoulders. She even said her chiropractor made her promise never to do it. I can see an issue if you have pre-existing spine problems, but is any of this true for the general populace? I've been doing squats with the barbell for about 2 months but I'm only up to 60 lbs and only 2 to 3 times a week, I'm not too concerned about it at this point.

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I've never heard of this in my life.
  • Shawshankcan
    Shawshankcan Posts: 900 Member
    Chiropractors some a lot of stupid crap.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    I squat heavy (for me), and I have scoliosis and my chiropractor advocates the strength training.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    I would say it depends on if you have good form. If you're squatting properly, it shouldn't be an issue. I suppose if you were doing awkward bending in your back to stabilize the weight it could do some damage.

    One thing to keep in mind is not all chiropracters have a great understanding of fitness. One who doesn't would probably not recognize that most exercises are OK if done in good form.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Ok, I didn't think this was a thing. I didn't say anything since I didn't really have anything to back it up and I was in a towel headed to the shower, haha
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    You have to have adequate mobility in your thoracic spine/shoulders or you can't hold the bar properly
  • hhazzouri
    hhazzouri Posts: 103 Member
    I'm here to preach the gospel of front squats.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    hhazzouri wrote: »
    I'm here to preach the gospel of front squats.

    I'm all in. I love front squats and goblet squats, my absolute favorite.
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    tell me more about these "front" and "goblet" squats :D
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    Also, I'm pretty sure she wasn't just talking about squats. She was talking about any type of exercise that involves putting a weighted barbell on your shoulders being a no no for everyone.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    I'll let hhazzouri speak to front squats. Here is a goblet squat:

    http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/leg-exercises/videos/goblet-squat
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    amyrebeccah wrote: »
    MonkeyMel21 wrote: »
    tell me more about these "front" and "goblet" squats :D

    Goblet goblet-squat.jpg

    I incorporate these but my legs are stronger than my grip. Still, it's a nice change.

    Front barbell squat Front-Squat-Female.jpg
    Very good for core, but I've never been able to get the hang of them, myself.

    I would worry about my elbows with either of those (I have a pissy right elbow). But I may try them out, thank you!
  • mostein
    mostein Posts: 200 Member
    I'm not sure if it would cause back problems to have the weight on your shoulders but I know if I have the bar on my shoulders they do get tight. I rest the bar more on my traps, it's a nice cushiony spot.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    One nice thing about front and goblet squats is you can work with less weight generally. You might be surprised how light you have to go to do good goblet squats. If grip strength is an issue, you can also use kettlebells (much more comfortable).

    It's very hard to do these squats in poor form, so you have less risk of injury in my opinion.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    You can always use cross-grip (I think I just made that up) for front squats.

    front-squat1.jpg
  • MonkeyMel21
    MonkeyMel21 Posts: 2,396 Member
    singletrackmtbr wrote: »
    One nice thing about front and goblet squats is you can work with less weight generally. You might be surprised how light you have to go to do good goblet squats. If grip strength is an issue, you can also use kettlebells (much more comfortable).

    It's very hard to do these squats in poor form, so you have less risk of injury in my opinion.

    They have a whole set of kettle bells at my gym, I'm going to give the goblet squat a try next time, thanks!
  • French_Peasant
    French_Peasant Posts: 1,639 Member
    MonkeyMel21 wrote: »
    amyrebeccah wrote: »
    MonkeyMel21 wrote: »
    tell me more about these "front" and "goblet" squats :D

    Goblet goblet-squat.jpg

    I incorporate these but my legs are stronger than my grip. Still, it's a nice change.

    Front barbell squat Front-Squat-Female.jpg
    Very good for core, but I've never been able to get the hang of them, myself.

    I would worry about my elbows with either of those (I have a pissy right elbow). But I may try them out, thank you!

    I love both goblet and front squats, but I have to do them, because I don't yet own a barbell. I will do a 35# DB on each shoulder, or one #35 DB for goblet squats, since my hands/wrists/arms are significantly weaker than my legs as well. Also, I've been stealing my DBs from my brother in law, and the next step up he has are the 50# weights, otherwise I would be squatting with the 40s, LOL.

    Regarding back issues, I would often wake up in the morning with a sore back, but after 1) losing 25+ lbs and 2) developing strength through lifting, my back hasn't bothered me at all.
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    The other thing to consider if grip strength is an issue is to increase your time at the bottom of the squats and/or slow the reps way down. This will allow you to get serious work in even with lighter weight.
  • shagerty777
    shagerty777 Posts: 185 Member
    Sounds like an excuse not to squat to me! I love squats, makes me feel beastly!
  • Carlos_421
    Carlos_421 Posts: 5,132 Member
    She's a quack.
    Squats with proper form are one of the best things you can do for your back.
    (Of course, squats with awful form are the worst...)

    But seriously, squat and get a new chiropractor.
  • kimdawnhayden
    kimdawnhayden Posts: 298 Member
    I have to do the arm crossover in front for front squats. I don't have the flexibility in my wrists for those. I tried Crossfit several years ago and had a trainer actually push the bar into the correct position. My wrist will never be the same. :(
  • maranarasauce93
    maranarasauce93 Posts: 293 Member
    Putting on your upper back and squatting is probably one of the best things for you. Even this guy knows it:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDuteL50R68


    Don't listen to your chiropractor. She is probably a quack who messed up her back doing squats with poor form.
  • jessef593
    jessef593 Posts: 2,272 Member
    You should probably speak to acouple power lifters. I squat weekly with both front and back squats. I have a stronger back and better posture than most people I know outside of the gym. Chances are the woman was preaching some bro science that she overheard or just decided amongst herself.
  • Rob_in_MI
    Rob_in_MI Posts: 393 Member
    MonkeyMel21 wrote: »
    I've never heard of this before. A woman at my gym this morning was talking about her work out routine. Another lady asked if she did squats with weights and she started going on and on about how it's terrible for your back to put any weights (like a barbell with plates) on your shoulders. She even said her chiropractor made her promise never to do it. I can see an issue if you have pre-existing spine problems, but is any of this true for the general populace? I've been doing squats with the barbell for about 2 months but I'm only up to 60 lbs and only 2 to 3 times a week, I'm not too concerned about it at this point.

    Your chiropractor should seek out a refund on his education.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I squat with the bar on my shoulders all the time. Just check your form
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Sounds like she was making excuses.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    As mentioned above, as long as you are using proper form there is nothing to worry about.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    jessef593 wrote: »
    You should probably speak to acouple power lifters. I squat weekly with both front and back squats. I have a stronger back and better posture than most people I know outside of the gym. Chances are the woman was preaching some bro science that she overheard or just decided amongst herself.

    This!! I have chiropractic issues, including misaligned hips. My chiropractor fully supports my squatting. As a matter of fact, he TOLD me to squat. The only negative thing he's said about my lifting is that I might have to stop OHP if I keep having elbow issues (I've had tendinitis 4x)
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    sarahrbraun wrote: »
    jessef593 wrote: »
    You should probably speak to acouple power lifters. I squat weekly with both front and back squats. I have a stronger back and better posture than most people I know outside of the gym. Chances are the woman was preaching some bro science that she overheard or just decided amongst herself.

    This!! I have chiropractic issues, including misaligned hips. My chiropractor fully supports my squatting. As a matter of fact, he TOLD me to squat. The only negative thing he's said about my lifting is that I might have to stop OHP if I keep having elbow issues (I've had tendinitis 4x)

    Just out of curiosity, how do you hold the bar? I had elbow issues until earlier this year, when I found out my full grip (thumb on opposite side of fingers) was (apparently) the cause of my elbow pain. I'm back to overhand grip and pain-free. :knockonwood:

    OK, I guess that wasn't just out of curiosity.

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