SportDr

This site will help

SD

__________________
I don't like Sports and I am not a Doctor!



Any advice given is for information only, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

Use this My Protein refferer code and get a 5% DISCOUNT on your first order! MP2819

Nine Pack

Gym assistant???!!! Forgive me, but is this person suitably qualified? In my experience, a gym instructor needs only a very rudimentary qualification to work in the industry, although there are many out there who know thier stuff, there's more out there who dish out dubious advice. I have seen it many times when I worked in a commercial gym as a freelance PT. Deep squatting is asking for trouble & will only serve to bring your squatting days to an end long before you could do.

Troublesome squatting can indeed be sorted by practice, though more commonly it boils down to a flexibilty issue and weak link activation. I have seen many clients who cannot actively recruit the glute mede in a squat, and this is a common problem only noticeable to the trained eye. Add to this tight hip flexors & weak, elongated hams which will cause a pelvic tilt, & the whole squat becomes a nightmare.

I'd get someone well qualified to examine your form if you have any doubts as to the instructors technical capabilities.

Sorry to preach.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


''I reject your reality and substitute my own''
Adam Savage.

SportDr

Amen my brother, although I aid just this in the past and it didn't go down well with the 'only pussies squat to parallel' crowd.

SD

__________________
I don't like Sports and I am not a Doctor!



Any advice given is for information only, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

Use this My Protein refferer code and get a 5% DISCOUNT on your first order! MP2819

Nine Pack

I can imagine you came in for a lot of stick for that, but you were right on the money. I'm not afraid of being called a p*ssy. I'd defy any 'old school' squatter to keep up with me on a leg session. Heavy front squats with a 4-1-4 tempo is brutal (not to mention extensions & split stance leg press at the same tempo). I do all my leg sessions like that. I find it difficult to get anyone to volunteer to train with me on leg day though..................

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


''I reject your reality and substitute my own''
Adam Savage.

Stanco

lol i just dont have the flexibilty. im doing leg presses for now until i can do the squats properly. Right now, everytime i attempt a proper squat, i lose balance.

James W

I dont think this is hi-jacking this thread but with regards to front squats...

I have tried 3 methods of holding the bar, with the typical Olympic lifter grip (which I lack the flexibility to do) using straps to make up for that, and with arms crossed in front.

None of these are comfortable, when I cross my arms the bar position actually makes my shoulders bleed which isnt that comfortable.

If I use the other two, when I get to the bottom of the movement I actually choke myself on the bar , but if i move the bar further away from my neck it moves my centre of gravity too far forward.

Anyway not sure what im expecting in reply but I hope someone has an idea how i can change it?

ONE SMART COOKIE

I think too many people try to have their shoulders pushed too far back when doing front squats (shoulders back like they were doing back squats) I prefer to bring my elbows quite close together which brings the delts a little further round, then the bar sits nicely for me sat just behind where the lateral head of the delt attaches.....

Works for me.....

big pete

same as cookie, narrow elbows.

but TBH i still get a 'choking' effect on heavier sets :(

__________________
any questions?? feel free to email me on....
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


'there is greatness inside all of us, how deep are you willing to dig? '

ONE SMART COOKIE

Do you keep your shoulders high or let them drop right down into their sockets...

Or failing that it must be cos your shoulders are bigger than mine

Nine Pack

Front squats are never going to be comfortable. If you invest in a stingray, which is two moulded pads that clip to the bar & spread the pressure & allow you to breathe, then it's far more tolerable.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


''I reject your reality and substitute my own''
Adam Savage.

big pete

shoulders as low as poss (cant raise them cos of weight,lol)

__________________
any questions?? feel free to email me on....
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


'there is greatness inside all of us, how deep are you willing to dig? '

James W

Thanks guys ok i'll try shoulders forward and elbows together

ONE SMART COOKIE

Don`t try and touch elbows together, just place your crossed hands onto the top of your traps as near to neck as possible and this will naturally pull your elbows in...

Most people just cross their arms and place hands around their shoulder which to me doesn`t help you archor the bar safely so it rolls towards the throat.....

Aftershock

Do they work mate? Is it much easier to keep the form tight? The reason I ask is because I had the version which is designed for normal squats and its rubbish?

I think front squats are a better option for me... I have short legs but a long torso and its makes back squats very difficult.. I only have to lean forward a few degrees and I’m in big trouble..

__________________
"You are what you eat you can't possibly be anything else"

or put another way "eat sh*t look like sh*t!!"

Aftershock

Nine Pack

I have a similar structure, with a slightly long torso. I can't speak from experience about the manta ray for back squats, but I know a lot of guys don't like it. The stingray however is, in part, responsible for the progress in my legs made over the last three years. I front squat every leg session & use the stingray every time.
My wife even uses it when she front squats. I did have to 'upholster' it with some felt padding but otherwise it's a brilliant piece of kit.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


''I reject your reality and substitute my own''
Adam Savage.