Ass to grass vs. Parallel squats

[double-leg]

So who here squats or does all training without knee sopport, elbow or wrist wraps. This is the way i was taught. No support cause it weakens the muscles use for balance and grips. I just dont know any other way. Ohhh wait i use the straps for olympic grip front squats cause my hands dont bend back that far witout strain and pain in elbow. Anybody got pro or cons for not using support? Im curious

 

[heady muscle]

I don't use any support gear, except lifting straps sometimes on deadlifts. On squats, I usually don't go any higher than 315 for 10 and I usually superset those with leg extensions. Prior to training legs I ride a stationary bike a minimum of 10 minutes and stretch the whole time during and after the workout. Knock on wood, it has worked well for me thus far and I am almost fifty.

For me, I just don't like belts when squating. Makes me feel like I want to vomit. If I was maxing out like the old days, I would wrap my knees. But at this point, 315 is my max out and it's plenty heavy too. lol

 

[cdoubleu]

I with you guys. I train with no support or straps. I feel like unless you need it because of some type of aliment you train your body to depend on it.

There are some guys in my gym, big guys, who wear a belt for everything. Even heavy bicep curls. I dont get it? Only thing i can think of is that they think it will help their stomach from protruding?

 

[Eloquence]

Belt for deads with 8 or more plates

Belt for 7 or more plates on squat

Strqps becquse my grip sucks

 

[double-leg]

I don't use any support gear, except lifting straps sometimes on deadlifts. On squats, I usually don't go any higher than 315 for 10 and I usually superset those with leg extensions. Prior to training legs I ride a stationary bike a minimum of 10 minutes and stretch the whole time during and after the workout. Knock on wood, it has worked well for me thus far and I am almost fifty.

For me, I just don't like belts when squating. Makes me feel like I want to vomit. If I was maxing out like the old days, I would wrap my knees. But at this point, 315 is my max out and it's plenty heavy too. lol

Agreed i see them straping up like Stallone in rambo. But, i guess its different strokes for different folk.
I wanted some input cause i thought the trend was different now abd i was missing something.

 

[double-leg]

I with you guys. I train with no support or straps. I feel like unless you need it because of some type of aliment you train your body to depend on it.

There are some guys in my gym, big guys, who wear a belt for everything. Even heavy bicep curls. I dont get it? Only thing i can think of is that they think it will help their stomach from protruding?

My gym too. I don't know why either. Maybe it makes their waist skinnier?

 

[double-leg]

Belt for deads with 8 or more plates

Belt for 7 or more plates on squat

Strqps becquse my grip sucks

One of the things beat in to my head was straps weaken your grip. If you fail it because of your grip. Strengthen your grip so you don't. Im not say its right. It pretty much what i think or here in me head when i train. The be

 

[Docd187123]

I use a belt, wrist wraps, sometimes a tendinitis elbow sleeve, and at some point in the future thinking about knee wraps for competition. Nothing wrong with using training tools to help your goals and longevity. They don't weaken muscles or support.

 

[Oregongearhead]

I quit using a lifting belt/wraps last year ; I kept having injuries almost everytime I used the belt , but never without (weird , huh ?) I also rarely go over 350lbs in squats...

Its been over a year and no injuries ; I also corrected my sloppy squat form which I think made a big difference in injuries....

 

[insertnamehere]

I don't use any supportive gear - no belt, no sleeves, no wrist wraps, no knee wraps, no straps.

I bare no discrimination towards those that use supportive gear, however for me, I like not using it. Its probably just a misguided ego thing.

 

[insertnamehere]

I use a belt, wrist wraps, sometimes a tendinitis elbow sleeve, and at some point in the future thinking about knee wraps for competition. Nothing wrong with using training tools to help your goals and longevity. They don't weaken muscles or support.

You don't think supportive gear supports the muscles in their function?

 

[Docd187123]

You don't think supportive gear supports the muscles in their function?

A belt does sure. Supports the abs by giving them something to contract against. Wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, knee wraps, and knee sleeves not so much. They help the joint moreso. And even if they helped the muscles more than they do I don't think it weakens the muscles. Think about it, as you get stronger with a belt or with wraps, you also get stronger without them. It's not always a 1:1 increase but when you're squats go up 50lbs while training wih a belt and knee wraps don't you think your squat without a belt and knee wraps will also go up?.

 

[Oregongearhead]

You don't think supportive gear supports the muscles in their function?

Some say a lifting belt diminishes the stabilizer muscles , making them weaker. I agree . Belts are for 1 rep maxes , strictly my opinion . Can I lift more with a belt ? Oh yes , lots more . But I lift for reps not 1 rep maxes ...

 

[cdoubleu]

I don't use any supportive gear - no belt, no sleeves, no wrist wraps, no knee wraps, no straps.

I bare no discrimination towards those that use supportive gear, however for me, I like not using it. Its probably just a misguided ego thing.

It's probably not a ego thing...if it can be done without support then thats gotta be the best way

 

[insertnamehere]

A belt does sure. Supports the abs by giving them something to contract against. Wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, knee wraps, and knee sleeves not so much. They help the joint moreso. And even if they helped the muscles more than they do I don't think it weakens the muscles. Think about it, as you get stronger with a belt or with wraps, you also get stronger without them. It's not always a 1:1 increase but when you're squats go up 50lbs while training wih a belt and knee wraps don't you think your squat without a belt and knee wraps will also go up?.

I don't think supportive gear weakens the muscles per say but I do think they contribute to supporting the muscle function indirectly when the joint is well supported. If the joint is well supported beyond the natural capabilities of the soft tissue, the muscle can contract harder and faster. Thoughts?

 

[insertnamehere]

It's probably not a ego thing...if it can be done without support then thats gotta be the best way

I guess its a point of view, dependent on an individuals' interests and goals rather than a "best" or "worst" way of doing something. For example, some of us here are more interested in getting strong rather than having abs. Others don't care how much they lift but how good they look. Neither is a best way or worst way, just different people with different interests and goals.

If I competed in powerlifting, I would most definitely use supportive gear.

 

[insertnamehere]

Some say a lifting belt diminishes the stabilizer muscles , making them weaker. I agree . Belts are for 1 rep maxes , strictly my opinion . Can I lift more with a belt ? Oh yes , lots more . But I lift for reps not 1 rep maxes ...

There's an argument to made on both sides regarding the use of a belt. Some say it diminishes and some say if used correctly, it can actually strengthen the core.

I don't have a solid opinion either way. I just know there's strong, experienced guys that use a belt, there's those that don't use a belt, and there's some that use a combination of both. Belt or not, people are getting strong.

 

[Oregongearhead]

There's an argument to made on both sides regarding the use of a belt. Some say it diminishes and some say if used correctly, it can actually strengthen the core.

I don't have a solid opinion either way. I just know there's strong, experienced guys that use a belt, there's those that don't use a belt, and there's some that use a combination of both. Belt or not, people are getting strong.

Yep - dont get the impression I am anti-belt , Im not . I used them for decades up until last year when a well-known squatter in my area told me I might not need a belt for the bodybuilding weights I use (under 375lbs) for most lifts . I do miss being able to press my abs against the belt , and now that Im back to using 350 plus Im probably going to use it again .

 

[insertnamehere]

Yep - dont get the impression I am anti-belt , Im not . I used them for decades up until last year when a well-known squatter in my area told me I might not need a belt for the bodybuilding weights I use (under 375lbs) for most lifts . I do miss being able to press my abs against the belt , and now that Im back to using 350 plus Im probably going to use it again .

Thats pretty good weight for an old timer, haha jk! How are your joints holding up? I'm currently having trouble with my left knee (quad tendon).

 

[weighted chinup]

No support. Just chalk for helping me get a less slick grip for the rack position on front squat. And oly shoes.

Personal preference though. I might consider knee sleeves or something like that to keep my knees warm later on down the line if I'm ever front squatting 500lb's or if I'm approaching old age. Whichever comes first lol.