I finally got the weight rack together, and the wife and I started exercising. I had bought a foam bar pad, which should be fine for cushioning the bar on squats for now. However, I seem to remember from a long time ago, a gadget called the Shark.
It was a plastic thing that went across the shoulders and helped to distribute the load of the bar. Does anyone know if you can still get it, and was it any good?
You are thinking of another aquatic friend of the shark.
They are fine for doing high bar squats but if you are using it so the bar doesn’t hurt then just build a bigger back or man up a little.
Some people’s physiology makes them feel more comfortable setting the bar high. You might be one of them. I have one of the manta ray things, but there’s all too appealing a look you get from the burst capillaries and occassional scrapes from the knurling.
Basically, it’s in the same category as a sweat band to me. Highly unnecessary.
I used to only squat with the foam pads. Now I hate them, it feels unnatural. When I max, I like getting the battle wounds, same thing with good mornings.
Just try and stop using it, after a while you will wonder how you used it.
squeeze your shoulder blades and put the bar on your traps. No need for a pad.
Yeah, if youre resting the bar on your back and shoulders and not your neck then the weight should be distributed already.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess I thought it was called the Shark because of all the talk of The Simpsons having jumped the shark.
I’ve had an almost 5 year layoff and it shows in the worst way. My wife has started light lifting with me, and I was thinking of the Manta Ray as a way to ease her in to doing squats.
I’ll let you all know if we try it out, now it’s time to work those muscle things that have gotten a little flabby…