Front Squat

[Varven]

Someone teach me how to do em.

I cant seem to balance the bar well and my ROM is pretty screwy.

Videos, animations, explanations please.... I wanna add em into tomorrows leg work out.

[Growth]

http://exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBFrontSquat.html

I just picked up this exercise for the first time last week. I must say i find them to way better than regular squats, i dont have any back issues with this method, i find it way easier to get a nice full rom, i was performing them all the way down as far as possible, it felt really natural compared with regular ones.

I think im going to drop regular ones next week and pick up front squats for good, perhaps 6 sets+.

If your having balancing issues just make sure the bar is as far back as possible, right up by your throat. Make sure you are still using your hands to grip the bar and keep it pushed up to your throat and as far back on your shoulders as is comfortabley possible. Just make sure to keep your arms parrallel to the floor so your not trying to keep the bar from rolling down your arms.

[sponge]

For good? But you can't load as much weight up with them.. surely they are no match for traditional squats?

[jono]

it takes a lot of practise to get the form right.. my form still isnt 100% but its getting there.

i think front and back squats are both valuble tools in any routine.

[ExpensiveUrine]

I use different arm position/grip to what Growth has posted. Whichever way works for you. It works for me because it mimics sport-specific movement in Olympic weightlifting. (Clean and Jerk).

Pictures are taken from this site, which shows Clean and Jerk movement and are re-arranged to show what front squat would look like that mimics that movement.

[Varven]

Ive seen others use an arm position similair to that of the pics posted by expensive urine. So whats better, arms crossed over bar or fingers gripping it. I tried the method as pictured in E.U.'s post and it felt weird... like I couldnt get my hands to bend that far back without pulling something.

[jono]

Ive seen others use an arm position similair to that of the pics posted by expensive urine. So whats better, arms crossed over bar or fingers gripping it. I tried the method as pictured in E.U.'s post and it felt weird... like I couldnt get my hands to bend that far back without pulling something.

neither is "better" its just what is more comfortable for you. i prefer arms crossed

[frogie2001]

YEAH I PREFER TO CROSS MY ARMS AT THE TOP. EACH TO THEIR OWN THOUGH

[Marcus]

Make sure to focus on keeping your elbows pointed up too. The higher your elbows are the more stress will be on your quads.

[Growth]

For good? But you can't load as much weight up with them.. surely they are no match for traditional squats?

Not for good, just for a change, i like to drop exercises once in a while and pick up a similar alternative, then go back again etc.

[Pseudonym]

I've never managed to find a position that didn't have the bar digging into my front delts, even on a light weight. Any suggestions?

[jono]

I've never managed to find a position that didn't have the bar digging into my front delts, even on a light weight. Any suggestions?

yeah it digs in. make sure its right up against ur neck/across shoulders. it still digs in.. you get used to it :grin: i had 120 on there last week.. damn that digs in real good :grin: :grin:

[frogie2001]

you'l;l probably find that the hack squat machine or smith machine can get the same spot with the bar on the back. this saves almost blacking out from the bar pressed against the neck. in all honesty i like only doing front squats every now and than just to make sure the leg press has done the job.

you find the posture is damn near perfect on the front squats though other wise the bar falls forward?

[THEBERG]

I first started doing front squats when i watched Ronnie Colemans Unbeleivible video. They may feel uncomofrtable on the next and front delts but they did give me better size in my quads more so than normal squats.

[samoht]

Just use the smith machine at first, keep the elbows up at all times if your slipping away from it then your dropping your elbows, its not a easy exersice but im sure u will work though it, just remember that its not all about the weight.