Squat and deadlift question

Minor PR today - 345 for 4.
Much cleaner, definitely deep enough, using a medium stance (if I go too wide my hips get bothered).

Then I continued with front squats for a bit, not that heavy, went to 205 for 5. Found the right spot to place the bar, hooking it behind the front delts, nice resting place there.

I think I'll focus more on front squats for a few weeks, the quad engagement feels nice and clear, if that makes sense.

Question for those who front squat, do you do it cross arm, or the oly style with hands and arms tucked under? Call me a girl but I find the oly style uncomfortable.
 
Once you get used to it you'll prefer oly style. I started out cross armed and got where I could do oly style, then didn't do them for almost a year and couldn't get into the position anymore and had to do cross armed and hated it.
 
Once you get used to it you'll prefer oly style. I started out cross armed and got where I could do oly style, then didn't do them for almost a year and couldn't get into the position anymore and had to do cross armed and hated it.

Is it purely a flexibility thing? Also, are you able to lift heavier oly style - I'd assume so since the oly guys aren't into the esthetics of anything. :-) So, how much are you "giving up" by not doing it oly style? I'd guess there's a control issue too, with oly giving you more of a chance to correct any surprises during a lift.
 
Is it purely a flexibility thing? Also, are you able to lift heavier oly style - I'd assume so since the oly guys aren't into the esthetics of anything. :) So, how much are you "giving up" by not doing it oly style? I'd guess there's a control issue too, with oly giving you more of a chance to correct any surprises during a lift.

Honestly, oly lifts aren't my area of expertise, but yes, it seems to be a flexibility thing. Namely in the wrists and shoulders it seems. If you're able to get past the initial discomfort you should be stronger that way as you're more upright with your chest up compared to cross arm. Not that you can't get strong cross armed, but that seems to be where the advantage is. And yes on the control, too. You can dump it easier.

As for how much I was giving up, I couldn't say. The only two times I've used them had some time between them. I'm not currently doing them either. If you're able I'd do oly. Look up some mobility work for it and practice a little and you could probably get used to it.
 
Honestly, oly lifts aren't my area of expertise, but yes, it seems to be a flexibility thing. Namely in the wrists and shoulders it seems. If you're able to get past the initial discomfort you should be stronger that way as you're more upright with your chest up compared to cross arm. Not that you can't get strong cross armed, but that seems to be where the advantage is. And yes on the control, too. You can dump it easier.

As for how much I was giving up, I couldn't say. The only two times I've used them had some time between them. I'm not currently doing them either. If you're able I'd do oly. Look up some mobility work for it and practice a little and you could probably get used to it.

I tried front squats oly style today - totally impossible. No way I can get my hands around the bar, and rest the bar on my delts. Hell, I can't even touch my delts with my fingertips, much less rest a bar on them.

Subtract a lot of size and add a t-shirt and less goofy shorts, that's "my" style below.
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If it's good enough for Arnold.....
 
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Front squats are an art my friend. Take the time, get the shoulder health and mobility for clean grip, and you will impress many people. No one pays attention when I back squat 4 plates. But when that shits loaded up and you go in and set it on ur delts with elbows out and chest up and walk it out and front squat it, people are impressed. It's a good feeling doing something most can not do properly and I encourage all to learn. If you can't tell I'm a big fan of front squats haha
 
Front squats are an art my friend. Take the time, get the shoulder health and mobility for clean grip, and you will impress many people. No one pays attention when I back squat 4 plates. But when that shits loaded up and you go in and set it on ur delts with elbows out and chest up and walk it out and front squat it, people are impressed. It's a good feeling doing something most can not do properly and I encourage all to learn. If you can't tell I'm a big fan of front squats haha

Healthy shoulders I have, but the mobility.... seems like you have to be a contortionist to be able to hold the bar that way. I'll give it some more tries but damn, feels like my forearms need to be a lot shorter to pull that off.
 
Healthy shoulders I have, but the mobility.... seems like you have to be a contortionist to be able to hold the bar that way. I'll give it some more tries but damn, feels like my forearms need to be a lot shorter to pull that off.
It's hard to explain but you can start by putting wrist straps around the bar and holding those instead of the bar at first. From there you just practice with grip vs elbow width and find an angle and position that lets u feel comfortable while keeping elbows up. I found a picture to illustrate the straps actually Screenshot_20160505-074243.pngYou don't have to use any specialty straps, I just let my gf use my straps I use for deadlift training, if you have a set
 
It's hard to explain but you can start by putting wrist straps around the bar and holding those instead of the bar at first. From there you just practice with grip vs elbow width and find an angle and position that lets u feel comfortable while keeping elbows up. I found a picture to illustrate the straps actually View attachment 41607You don't have to use any specialty straps, I just let my gf use my straps I use for deadlift training, if you have a set

You have to admit, it's a pretty unnatural way of positioning your body.
 
Healthy shoulders I have, but the mobility.... seems like you have to be a contortionist to be able to hold the bar that way. I'll give it some more tries but damn, feels like my forearms need to be a lot shorter to pull that off.

The rack position has unfamiliar mobility requirements for a lot of people but it's an athletic position - chances are it's not going to come to a lifter without working on it first.

A stable rack position will benefit a lifters front squat - but a shitty rack position will probably set them back.



Cross-armed is fine for most people's purposes but the rack position has advantages: you're much tighter and mechanically more stable and personally my upper back is in a better position during the lift and I can use additional torque from my shoulders during the concentric. A lot more explosive and stable.

Using the rack position in training is a lot of fun and nothing is more impressive than a big front squat performed with it. People will notice. :)
 
The rack position has unfamiliar mobility requirements for a lot of people but it's an athletic position - chances are it's not going to come to a lifter without working on it first.

A stable rack position will benefit a lifters front squat - but a shitty rack position will probably set them back.



Cross-armed is fine for most people's purposes but the rack position has advantages: you're much tighter and mechanically more stable and personally my upper back is in a better position during the lift and I can use additional torque from my shoulders during the concentric. A lot more explosive and stable.

Using the rack position in training is a lot of fun and nothing is more impressive than a big front squat performed with it. People will notice. :)


I am nowhere near that flexible - that inverted hand by the side of the head, no way. I clearly need to work on flexibility. I suck at that.
 
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