Anyone have some tips on this exercise? I’ve always done back or hacks when I squat. I tried them for a change up, but I couldn’t do much weight and neither grip I know was comfortable.
Toward the end of my sets I was so sweat covered I almost lost the bar using the crossed arm grip, and the pressing type grip will be hard to increase weight with I think.
Neither is going to be “comfortable”, but your shoulders get used to it after awhile. With either grip, make sure to keep your elbows up.
I prefer the Oly grip. You have more control that way.
Also, try to do low rep sets. One thing that helps me is to look forward instead of up. When you look up, your throat gets more pressure.
Thanks for the input. I believe I will use the Oly grip. Kinda scarey to feel the bar slide left mid-squat, lol. I’m using a temporary set up in my spare bedroom right now. Could use chalk, but not sure how it would come out of the carpet.
I work at a newer penitentiary and the money for our fitness center was diverted to the war. Hopefully we’ll get one soon though.
[quote]CFH0319 wrote:
Thanks for the input. I believe I will use the Oly grip. Kinda scarey to feel the bar slide left mid-squat, lol. I’m using a temporary set up in my spare bedroom right now. Could use chalk, but not sure how it would come out of the carpet.
I work at a newer penitentiary and the money for our fitness center was diverted to the war. Hopefully we’ll get one soon though. [/quote]
I chalk the bar pretty heavily when front squatting and it does help keep the bar from slipping. I wouldn’t worry about the carpet. The gym I workout at is carpeted and I never see any chalk buildup after using it there. I’m pretty sure they just vacuum the place once a week. 
If the bar is falling forward try sitting back more with your hips, and make sure your back is bridged. That is assuming that you keep your elbows up the whole time.
For most people, It will take a good while for your trunk not to be the weak link in the exercise, preventing your legs from getting pushed as hard as they might otherwise. But you could use the same arguement with a leg press and back squat.
You arent going to be back squatting shit with good form for a a damn long while if you are used to primarily leg pressing. The different grips are tough, I think the olympic style helps lock you in better, and is useful in case you want to learn how to clean as well.
When I first started front squats I thought it was just my body, that it wasnt made to grip the bar that way, but you get used to it, and it is no problem at all now. I would also say, by the time you get up to working with decent weight on front squats, you can be sure your trunk is going to be strong as shit.
Search front squats, I started a thread a few weeks ago. People put a bunch of tips in there. Use the real olympic grip, and suck it up. Over time, you will gain he flexibilty needed to do it correctly.
It should feel like you are choking yourself out if you are doing right.
Front squats are freaking hard. IMHO, it takes a long time to get used to them, but you’ll strengthen your core a lot, so it’s worth it.
Oh god. Front squats. I’m getting sweaty and unmotivated just thinking about them - easily one of the hardest exercises I do in my routine.
I can’t stand them. But they work so well - once you lock your form in your wrists and knees will stop hurting and you’ll get crazy sore legs. I use the clean grip personally, crossed-over grip has always felt way too unsteady for me.
Front squats is a really good exercise, but my wrists and shoulders don’t allow me to put on as much weight as I would like. But when it comes to building some serious hams nothing beats the good old squats.
Thanks a lot everyone. I’ve watched a ton of people on you tube front squating. I’m going to stay with the clean grip. Maybe after I get my form down on these, I’ll see about some better overhead squat numbers, lol. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I squat as deep as I can, but you need some deads or good morning for the posterier chain. Squats make strong quads and core.
I just want to add this site has so much great info. Can spend day after day reading and rereading the great author articles here.
You’re not really gripping the bar, your finger tips just hook under it to keep it from rolling forward off your shoulders. I remember that choking feeling, but it went away after a while.
What everyone said about building a strong trunk is absolutely true. I know when I am about to fail because my head starts to slump forward.