I’ll try front squats (going to the gym tomorrow) they look awkward though. I should be able to do the same weight I do with my back squats right?
No, you will do less weight with front squats.
No, the weight will be lower - much lower, initially, as you learn the movement. I’ve seen 85% quoted as the front squat ratio to the back squat, but I assume that’s after training both.
[quote]pushmepullme wrote:
No, the weight will be lower - much lower, initially, as you learn the movement. I’ve seen 85% quoted as the front squat ratio to the back squat, but I assume that’s after training both.[/quote]
Yeah, I think the “that’s after training both” part is correct.
I’ve been back squatting for years, and have been front squatting for less than a year. There’s no way I’d be able to front squat 85% of my back squat.
So does that means they won’t be as beneficial?
Tip: Start with light weight and work your way up to what’s comfortable. Get used to the technique and go from there. I personally love Front Squats. Don’t be scared, brutha. We’re all pullin for ya
Edit: they’re chalk full of benefit
[quote]Tatsumaki wrote:
So does that means they won’t be as beneficial? [/quote]
Quite the contrary; they deliver most of the benefits of squatting while eliminating the back pain and “complexities” of technique which accompany heavy back squatting.
I routinely do both.
But if they make me do less weight then they aren’t as intensive?
Get what I’m trying to say?
But back squats are messing up my back, I’m going to have to make the transition.
I super-setted heavy back squats with front squats about a day ago.
My legs are brutally messed over, lets just say Im walking slow for a while.
tatsumaki,
read the mythbusters article that nate green just posted, its the second myth there.
front squats will give you al the growth you need if hypertrophy is your goal.
I started doing them recently and I’m loving it.
I wouldn’t bother fucking with the clean grip, though.
[quote]LUEshi wrote:
I started doing them recently and I’m loving it.
I wouldn’t bother fucking with the clean grip, though. [/quote]
Interesting. I’ve found it to be much safer, and it helps me from leaning forward. The problem for me, however, is that I have early stages of carpel tunnel in my wrists. They don’t do so well with either grip.
The solution…? Going to order a harness soon!
[quote]Tatsumaki wrote:
But if they make me do less weight then they aren’t as intensive?
. [/quote]
Higher reps, less rest in between…
I did front squats supersetted with static lunges the other day…and it was most ‘intensive!’
[quote]SSC wrote:
LUEshi wrote:
The solution…? Going to order a harness soon![/quote]
WHat about wrist straps on the bar and just holding on the wrist straps? Might save a couple bucks
I cross my arms and hold the bar like that. I also started to use the “tampon” so my front delts are not so bruised afterwards. That’s a bruise that’s hard to explain to some people
ohhh, had to think about that for a sec!
[quote]puckhead08 wrote:
I cross my arms and hold the bar like that. I also started to use the “tampon” so my front delts are not so bruised afterwards. That’s a bruise that’s hard to explain to some people
[/quote]
What’s to explain? You did front squats.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the clean grip and imo for some athletic applications it’s absolutely necessary to learn to do it and do it well.
For some dude looking to have big, strong legs (i.e. me)? Meh. I just cross my arms.
Definitely give front squats a chance for a few weeks, especially since you mentioned back squats hurt your back. Just to recap a couple points in this thread:
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Start light. It’s a new technique, it will take a while to learn.
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Grip. Try out the clean grip and the cross arm grip (bar resting on your front delts). It’s a personal preference so do what feels best to you. The 3rd alternative is to use wrist wraps. To do this you put the wraps on the bar as if it was your wrist then using the clean grip position you hold the straps hanging off the bar rather than the bar. Basically you don’t have to bend your hands back as much.
ive been wanting to try these out too. where does the bar sit if you do the clean grip? does it just chill on your fingers?
i tried the cross arms and the bar kept rolling down my delts and just digging into my bis.