gettin ripped

[pookieadams]

Lars,

What's your take on front squats and what should the ratio of front squat to back squat be? 50%, 65%, 80%?

[lars]

Man, that is not something I know too much about actually.  I almost always do squats with free weights, but I have terrible knees and try to control my rhythm and motion at all times.  Squats in general are great and I did do some front squats but mostly stuck to back, just because it seemed easier to control my posture when doing them.  Everything I did while peak lifting I just kind of gleamed from reading other articles so if I didn't know how to do an exercise right I didn't do it at all.  Front squats I couldn't get the grasp on at all really, so much technique to do it expert right, but from what I understand it can be better for your lower back and reduces risk of injury, but I also know dudes who do back squats and have for however many years they have been working out, so you know...  As far as ratio's go, no clue.

[pookieadams]

Man, that is not something I know too much about actually.  I almost always do squats with free weights, but I have terrible knees and try to control my rhythm and motion at all times.  Squats in general are great and I did do some front squats but mostly stuck to back, just because it seemed easier to control my posture when doing them.  Everything I did while peak lifting I just kind of gleamed from reading other articles so if I didn't know how to do an exercise right I didn't do it at all.  Front squats I couldn't get the grasp on at all really, so much technique to do it expert right, but from what I understand it can be better for your lower back and reduces risk of injury, but I also know dudes who do back squats and have for however many years they have been working out, so you know...  As far as ratio's go, no clue.

yeah - I think Front Squats can prevent injuries and I'm trying to work my way up into Power Cleans and I think they're kind of a bridge. I'm at around 1/2 to 60% of my back squat weight on front squats and so much of it appears to be about positioning the bar and getting used to that grip (or lack thereof.).

[Young Steve]

So far I've been doing squats on two different machines, but I tried a regular back squat on Friday and it didn't feel good on my lower back. I hadn't even thought about front squats as I haven't seen anyone doing them around the gym in awhile. That's the one where you cross your arms in front of your chest and kind of cradle the bar, right?

[pookieadams]

If you're just using a bar you cross your arms - otherwise you you do a power clean style grip on your shoulders... Its a bit of a weird looking exercise. I never saw it done in NYC but it (and the power clean) are quite popular in SoCal.

It took me a year or so squatting on machines to feel comfortable doing bar squats. If you're new to it and new to form don't rush into it - especially not weighted squats.

[lars]

I agree with all this, and yeah, positioning with the bar in front can be a bit awkward, but I think both holds are totally effective, I would even go so far as to say the clean grip would be a bit easier to control, although I don't know if technique changes, because the bar can easily 'roll' when you're doing the platform version in the front.  Squats's tricky, man.

[tonym9428]

I just squatted 290 for the first time last week...hoping to enter a powerlifting competition in the next couple months.

[dusty medical]

http://get-ripped-system.blogspot.com/

[lars]

Getting ripped will definitely give you a rad goatee.

[Young Steve]

This might not be exactly something worth bragging about in the presence of such RIPPED DUDEZ as those populating this thread, but after doing legs for two months or so I'm now up to benching 225. Used to never be able to go above 205 before for whatever reason. 

[frankie teardrop]

I'm starting this program on Thursday. Seems like a pretty good and comprehensive:

http://stronglifts.com/

[lars]

Steve,
     I don't know if your goal is big gains in bench or what day/s you bench on, but I once read and semi-tried using a system where you do bench on Mondays, (I know, you don't have that sick swollen pec goin' on the weekend), but do 5 lbs above your expected Monday weight on Friday for one set.  Then, go back in on Monday and kick it up those extra five for your full set/to failure.  It seemed to help/work quite a bit, although to what degree it was mental or whatever I don't know.  It was just interesting how it kind of shocked you on Friday and then seemed much more comfortable on Monday.  I guess this could really be done on any sort of rotation that has a 3 day break but I used to go on a Sat-Sun rest period.  All this workout business is making me think I outta hit the gym again in a way that is no nonsense.

[tonym9428]

I'm starting this program on Thursday. Seems like a pretty good and comprehensive:

http://stronglifts.com/

StrongLifts is just a knock off of Mark Rippetoes Starting Strength routine. I think starting strength or Bill Starr's 5x5 routine would be much better than stronglifts. The problem with stronglifts is that it's just too many exercises, too much volume, and too many reps...sometimes less is more.

[Mark of the Beast]

I haven't for some reason had a shower in 4 days and instinctively did a search here for "squats", and this is what I get? What the fuck ...