Great vid. Too many purists nowadays insist that if you don't/can't do the olympic lifter style variation you're some kind of blasphemer, newbie or just a bad athlete with low mobility. But if heavy olympic lifting isn't one's goal, reaching the amount of flexibility that allows you to do the form properly is a waste of time better spent, and ultimately the position itself can either limit the weight you would put on the bar for your front squat or become a problem for the elbow joints, the wrists or even the shoulders.
good advice but you don't have to have all your fingers under the bar, it's true that a lot of people can't use that grip but if you only use 2-3 fingers then its doable
i doing front squat with straps like 8 years. With straps it is really more safe and stable front squat. i learn from here thanks to coach Christian Thibaudeau
Love the front squat! It's pure quads with less hip/glute involvement. I let the bar rest completely on the front delts but my elbows are pointing straight ahead & my wrists are crossed in front of my body, not touching the bar at all. This forces me to be completely upright throughout the ROM. If I lean at all, I will lose the bar. Most people can't do it this way but it works well for me. They complain of difficulty breathing or it's simply an uncomfortable way to do them. No issues for me.
go for it, if youre not olympic lifting its not necessary to hold it like that anyway. what you could also try is that instead of trying to bend your arm straight back (forearm above your bicep) grab the bar wider so that your arm turns in at an angle and your forearm is more lateral to the bicep, then just keep your elbows up and close. thats how i do it with only my index and middle fingers holding the bar in place
What do you think of the weightlifting belt? I started to go to the gym couple of weeks ago and while I was doing squats or deadlifts, I felt pressure (not pain!) in the pelvic area of the back, especially around the tailbone. Colleague of mine, who used to be a bodybuilder said I must not do squats/deadlifts without a belt. So I bought one and really, exercising is easier. But now I'm thinking - if I want to build a strong functional body, isn't belt kind of a cheating? Thanks for the advice.
I believe this would be an OK alternative because you aren't trying to lift the entire weight with with your wrists/arms, but just trying to stabilize the weight so it doesn't roll forward. If you can't stabilize it the it probably means you're going to heavy and not keeping your shoulders from rounding. To each his own tho, if you can do a clean grip and bend your arms enough go that route. Do what works best for you!
I experienced the same thing, and I suffered for 2 years because of it (hasn't totally disappeared). Study proper form in doing squats (leg presses are worse), and then start from light weights, and slowly increase or increase in small increments. After 4 weeks of continuous increase of weights or reps, deload for 1-3 weeks or more as necessary. You might want to check some articles about deloading. One more thing, learn to listen to your body. God bless you.
Not all of us can use traps brah. I have a trapped/damaged nerves from the back squat so I often get tingling down my right arm during the night. This was months ago after a heavy session of squats and I can feel the pain when I press the top of my trap down near my neck. If you think your traps and nerves can take it, the back squat probably is great, but for me the front is now the only variation I do.
Dear Christian -could you pls tell what frequency of training of each muscle group (improvement of mass and strength being the goal) would be your preferred choice for someone with several years of training under his belt? Recommendations here range from once a week or less (eg. HIT) to several times weekly. Also - would you prefer training each muscle with MORE sets (at eg. ca. 5-6 reps) at each workout but without going to failure or going to failure but with significantly fewer sets? Thanks
if you wanted to front squat, and do regular deadlifts in the same workout, what would you do first. I know its usually advised to squat first, and then deadlift, that's what powerlifters do in mock meets, but with a front squat I don't know, maybe I could front squat right after deadlifts for like a really bad ass posterior chain workout?
Hello there, have you tried "Musclegend" (just search Google)? On their website you can watch a great free video showing how to build up visible lean muscle fast whilst eliminating excess fat at the same time. Geoff is among the countless guys that enjoyed good success utilizing this methodology. It might help you too.
I'm taking a break from back squats, with front squats, primarily because I want to focus on improving my clean. Would the strap method take away anything from developing my clean. I figure I want to mimic the lift as well as possible. My DL is well above my clean, and I have no problem getting the bar high, its the drop thats my concern.
He said that he doesn't like the crossover grip because you can't use your upper body to help yourself. I disagree with him completely. If you let it sit on your delts, straighten your back and stablize your upper back, you don't have a problem but it does take massive concentration because it is dangerous.
id just rather not do it if I got to fuck around with straps. the only reason I do them is because Ive seen Jay and Phil do them and they rest like 400 pound right on there front delts. I think its good because it forces me to do light weight/higher reps which is a good deload off my usual 315.
you must be the 100th person to mention this and ive replied to everyone saying the same thing. point is, he should have stopped him and mentioned it before he did it, what if it were you and you tore a tendon in your wrist or any other injury? i think you'd be pissed, all just for a demonstration video
i know, i explained it to someone else before but i guess that comment is way down the list by now. my point was that the guy instructing him should have mentioned the issue with flexibility before making him do it in that hand position. if it were me and i tore something in my wrist, id be pissed lol.
There's a little bit of hyperbole there haha. My max back squat right now is 285, but my front is just under 200. If you've been squatting properly with a back squat, it doesn't take long for you to get your front squat up to par.
I can back quat 315 for a few reps, but I can barely front squat 185 a couple times without the bar falling off my shoulders, ive seen guys front squat like 400 pounds for reps shit blows my mind that would kill my shoulders.
dude wrists wraps onlycost like 5 bucks... your better off keeping your backpack and buying some... if your doing front squats.. shows your pretty serious about working out anyways just buy some wrist wraps
I know i watched the whole thing, im just saying he probably should have mentioned that first and maybe just showed the hand position but not actually have him do the whole rom because of the stress
That alternative grip, using straps, for the front squat just made my friggin year! I hate the stress and pressure on my wrists and elbows, and was considering giving up the front squat. I'm no spring chicken and this will keep me squatting for many more years. Thank you very much!!!
Try allowing your pinkies to slip off of the bar. It helps a lot. I only use two fingers from each hand to catch a clean usually Just enough pressure to keep the bar on my shoulders.
should you do front squats if you're lacking lower quads? i've been training for about 7 months now and i've been doing leg press and back squats and lower quads seem to lack size.
Anyone know what kind of straps (brand/type) are being used? I have some Schiek Wrist Support Power Lifting Straps and the strap seems a lot shorter than the ones in this video.
I prefer back squats but I'm adding at least a set of front squats to my leg day routine, I mean it can't hurt.
9 ปีที่แล้ว +3
I've got a problem: I can't put the bar on my front deltoids because they are a little behind and the right place of the bar will go through my throat. Even i try to force the position and almost choke, i can't put the bar in the right position. What should i do? Thanks.
It can take some time to find the perfect position, and honestly, I find when I get it just right, there is some pressure on my throat. Also, you can try building your delts up a bit more so they create a better shelf.
9 ปีที่แล้ว
Phil Howson I'll try to build my delts up, thanks mate. Overhead press should help, shouldn't it?
yeah, but why even demonstrate it if he can mess up his wrists or elbows, get someone who can do it correct. and whats with the language, youre real tough aren't ya?
I know he explained it but he is wrong. With the proper techniqe it takes no toll on the elbow. Have you ever seen a professional lifter doing a front squat with wraps?
That's what I was thinking. The other guy lifted the weight fully with it wrists. That will takes its tole also. But I didn't heard anything about the wrists in this video!
I prefer the clean grip. The cross grip just doesn't feel stable. With the clean grip I feel that if my back is about to round I can just lift my elbows up and it's good.
For me on front squats doing the clean hold, any major stress seems to be on my wrists, with the strap hold I dont feel that the bar is secure enough on my delts
buying straps like those on ebay after watching this vid. Can't back squat because of back problems, can't front squat because of elbow inflexibility. Great video.
CT, thanks for the tip, it makes front squats feel so much more solid now and I've always loved doing them even though they always hurt my wrists and elbows so much!
crossbody position peut aussi etre risqué pour l'articulation coraco-claviculaire! j'ai deja eu une légère blessure avec ce style de front squat a 400 lbs. Je le fais plus avec les straps maintenant car j'avoue que ça apporte moins d'inconvénient pour cette articulation car le poids est mieux distribuer avec l'aide de la contraction du deltoïde antérieure.
What do you think about using straps in a similar way for a low bar back squat? I can't get my hands on the bar because of bad shoulder mobility after old injuries. I have tried to stretch but I only hurt myself.
this is brilliant!!!!!! I just got some straps, now my problem is I dont have a weight frame, I work out at home, I need to figure out how to do the strap thing from lifting the weight from the ground. any ideas?
Vin Diesel 2.0 Upgrade
Thanks Vin Diesel! xD
i thinked only i thinked that when loking to him lol
Alberto Cortese fuck your english
Alberto Cortese well your mother was kinda disappointing :/
didn"t you have a better idea than copyng me? sad man, very sad lack or originality lol
Alberto Cortese good enough for you
and pls take an English course ...my eyes hurt
Great vid. Too many purists nowadays insist that if you don't/can't do the olympic lifter style variation you're some kind of blasphemer, newbie or just a bad athlete with low mobility. But if heavy olympic lifting isn't one's goal, reaching the amount of flexibility that allows you to do the form properly is a waste of time better spent, and ultimately the position itself can either limit the weight you would put on the bar for your front squat or become a problem for the elbow joints, the wrists or even the shoulders.
shit this is sick. i mean SICK!!
Hey guys I think that's literally the strap that people use for their back workout like deadlift, not wristbands
I like the straps technique and will experiment with this for use with my clients. Thanks Christian. Great videos and overall technique instruction!
much less stressful on the hellbow
The best front quat instructional I've seen! Thank you!!!
this guy has the voice of my dreams
good advice but you don't have to have all your fingers under the bar, it's true that a lot of people can't use that grip but if you only use 2-3 fingers then its doable
Check out Angles90 for straps W/handles that would work perfectly for front squats ala Thibaudeau
Where was this video 25 years ago, I turn 50 in 20 days....and just PBd my front squat. Was always my arms failing before my legs, not anymore.
i doing front squat with straps like 8 years. With straps it is really more safe and stable front squat. i learn from here thanks to coach Christian Thibaudeau
Love the front squat! It's pure quads with less hip/glute involvement. I let the bar rest completely on the front delts but my elbows are pointing straight ahead & my wrists are crossed in front of my body, not touching the bar at all. This forces me to be completely upright throughout the ROM. If I lean at all, I will lose the bar. Most people can't do it this way but it works well for me. They complain of difficulty breathing or it's simply an uncomfortable way to do them. No issues for me.
"You have a pretty good flexibility for a guy your size, and for your h'arm length"
go for it, if youre not olympic lifting its not necessary to hold it like that anyway. what you could also try is that instead of trying to bend your arm straight back (forearm above your bicep) grab the bar wider so that your arm turns in at an angle and your forearm is more lateral to the bicep, then just keep your elbows up and close. thats how i do it with only my index and middle fingers holding the bar in place
What do you think of the weightlifting belt? I started to go to the gym couple of weeks ago and while I was doing squats or deadlifts, I felt pressure (not pain!) in the pelvic area of the back, especially around the tailbone. Colleague of mine, who used to be a bodybuilder said I must not do squats/deadlifts without a belt. So I bought one and really, exercising is easier. But now I'm thinking - if I want to build a strong functional body, isn't belt kind of a cheating? Thanks for the advice.
I believe this would be an OK alternative because you aren't trying to lift the entire weight with with your wrists/arms, but just trying to stabilize the weight so it doesn't roll forward. If you can't stabilize it the it probably means you're going to heavy and not keeping your shoulders from rounding. To each his own tho, if you can do a clean grip and bend your arms enough go that route. Do what works best for you!
I experienced the same thing, and I suffered for 2 years because of it (hasn't totally disappeared). Study proper form in doing squats (leg presses are worse), and then start from light weights, and slowly increase or increase in small increments. After 4 weeks of continuous increase of weights or reps, deload for 1-3 weeks or more as necessary. You might want to check some articles about deloading. One more thing, learn to listen to your body. God bless you.
Not all of us can use traps brah. I have a trapped/damaged nerves from the back squat so I often get tingling down my right arm during the night. This was months ago after a heavy session of squats and I can feel the pain when I press the top of my trap down near my neck. If you think your traps and nerves can take it, the back squat probably is great, but for me the front is now the only variation I do.
Dear Christian -could you pls tell what frequency of training of each muscle group (improvement of mass and strength being the goal) would be your preferred choice for someone with several years of training under his belt? Recommendations here range from once a week or less (eg. HIT) to several times weekly. Also - would you prefer training each muscle with MORE sets (at eg. ca. 5-6 reps) at each workout but without going to failure or going to failure but with significantly fewer sets? Thanks
if you wanted to front squat, and do regular deadlifts in the same workout, what would you do first. I know its usually advised to squat first, and then deadlift, that's what powerlifters do in mock meets, but with a front squat I don't know, maybe I could front squat right after deadlifts for like a really bad ass posterior chain workout?
Hello there, have you tried "Musclegend" (just search Google)? On their website you can watch a great free video showing how to build up visible lean muscle fast whilst eliminating excess fat at the same time. Geoff is among the countless guys that enjoyed good success utilizing this methodology. It might help you too.
I'm taking a break from back squats, with front squats, primarily because I want to focus on improving my clean. Would the strap method take away anything from developing my clean. I figure I want to mimic the lift as well as possible.
My DL is well above my clean, and I have no problem getting the bar high, its the drop thats my concern.
He said that he doesn't like the crossover grip because you can't use your upper body to help yourself. I disagree with him completely. If you let it sit on your delts, straighten your back and stablize your upper back, you don't have a problem but it does take massive concentration because it is dangerous.
id just rather not do it if I got to fuck around with straps. the only reason I do them is because Ive seen Jay and Phil do them and they rest like 400 pound right on there front delts. I think its good because it forces me to do light weight/higher reps which is a good deload off my usual 315.
you must be the 100th person to mention this and ive replied to everyone saying the same thing. point is, he should have stopped him and mentioned it before he did it, what if it were you and you tore a tendon in your wrist or any other injury? i think you'd be pissed, all just for a demonstration video
i know, i explained it to someone else before but i guess that comment is way down the list by now. my point was that the guy instructing him should have mentioned the issue with flexibility before making him do it in that hand position. if it were me and i tore something in my wrist, id be pissed lol.
There's a little bit of hyperbole there haha. My max back squat right now is 285, but my front is just under 200. If you've been squatting properly with a back squat, it doesn't take long for you to get your front squat up to par.
I can back quat 315 for a few reps, but I can barely front squat 185 a couple times without the bar falling off my shoulders, ive seen guys front squat like 400 pounds for reps shit blows my mind that would kill my shoulders.
dude wrists wraps onlycost like 5 bucks... your better off keeping your backpack and buying some... if your doing front squats.. shows your pretty serious about working out anyways just buy some wrist wraps
No, it's usually a lack of tricep flexibility, which is why many people cant get their elbows high enough in this position.
real men front squat, he probably squats 315 on regular squat and thinks hes tough, probably does 90 pounds front squat
I know i watched the whole thing, im just saying he probably should have mentioned that first and maybe just showed the hand position but not actually have him do the whole rom because of the stress
That alternative grip, using straps, for the front squat just made my friggin year! I hate the stress and pressure on my wrists and elbows, and was considering giving up the front squat. I'm no spring chicken and this will keep me squatting for many more years. Thank you very much!!!
Try allowing your pinkies to slip off of the bar. It helps a lot. I only use two fingers from each hand to catch a clean usually Just enough pressure to keep the bar on my shoulders.
should you do front squats if you're lacking lower quads? i've been training for about 7 months now and i've been doing leg press and back squats and lower quads seem to lack size.
Anyone know what kind of straps (brand/type) are being used? I have some Schiek Wrist Support Power Lifting Straps and the strap seems a lot shorter than the ones in this video.
I prefer back squats but I'm adding at least a set of front squats to my leg day routine, I mean it can't hurt.
I've got a problem: I can't put the bar on my front deltoids because they are a little behind and the right place of the bar will go through my throat. Even i try to force the position and almost choke, i can't put the bar in the right position. What should i do? Thanks.
It can take some time to find the perfect position, and honestly, I find when I get it just right, there is some pressure on my throat. Also, you can try building your delts up a bit more so they create a better shelf.
Phil Howson I'll try to build my delts up, thanks mate. Overhead press should help, shouldn't it?
Felipe Álvarez DEFINITELY do overhead press for building dense, strong delts .
yeah, but why even demonstrate it if he can mess up his wrists or elbows, get someone who can do it correct. and whats with the language, youre real tough aren't ya?
I know he explained it but he is wrong. With the proper techniqe it takes no toll on the elbow. Have you ever seen a professional lifter doing a front squat with wraps?
That's what I was thinking. The other guy lifted the weight fully with it wrists. That will takes its tole also. But I didn't heard anything about the wrists in this video!
I prefer the clean grip. The cross grip just doesn't feel stable. With the clean grip I feel that if my back is about to round I can just lift my elbows up and it's good.
For me on front squats doing the clean hold, any major stress seems to be on my wrists, with the strap hold I dont feel that the bar is secure enough on my delts
buying straps like those on ebay after watching this vid. Can't back squat because of back problems, can't front squat because of elbow inflexibility. Great video.
ouch my wrist
never thought of using straps on the bar, that's a great idea i need to give it a shot, my wrist kill me more than my elbows do on front squats
This guy knows his stuff but the client or test dummy guy he was using was brutal with clean form... kid's clearly never done a clean in his life
front squats are probably better for very tall people (6'4"+).
i am 6'7" and front squats don't do shit to my lower back... back squats kill it.
Front squats are harder but, they will get you stonger and bigger legs and it works your core and your back donest get hurt as much of back squat.
Why should i do front squats when back squats are so much more comfortable and natural? I mean front squats don't feel natural at all.
Same! But I love watching kids die at the gym when their ego gets converted into social suicide.
So he mispronouces some words by adding an "H". Who cares? Not everyone is American. I found this to be very informative regardless.
CT, thanks for the tip, it makes front squats feel so much more solid now and I've always loved doing them even though they always hurt my wrists and elbows so much!
Vin Diesel's evil twin
I was delighted to find this out about the strap, are they specialty straps for this move, where would I buy them?
Thanks
You may be able to back squat 315 lbs, but front squats will make a bitch out of you.
Wasn't that the problem though? He was unable to rest it properly due to his size and lack of flexibility?
guy needs to let go with his finger tips. good advice from Thibiaudeau though.
crossbody position peut aussi etre risqué pour l'articulation coraco-claviculaire! j'ai deja eu une légère blessure avec ce style de front squat a 400 lbs. Je le fais plus avec les straps maintenant car j'avoue que ça apporte moins d'inconvénient pour cette articulation car le poids est mieux distribuer avec l'aide de la contraction du deltoïde antérieure.
I used to have those problems. Then i build a squat rack from wood and stretched. Now i can do it easy.
if i cut jansport backpack straps would that work if i dont have those specific weight lifting straps???
in my opinion, the clean position is lame, i even dont try to do it because its obvious elbow killer
idk man, my h'elbow usually hurts alot when the h'elbow is bended, i dont know what to h'exactly do
Ive got a shoulder injury where I cant hold the bar on my traps. So i gotta look for alternatives.
traps is given to hold and pull things up while standing. not to have something heavy on top of them
No straps... no squat rack... long arms with little flexibility. God doesnt want me to squat.
Well guess not but all the people looking at the comments should at least think about this.
no, they look like ordinary wrist straps. You can probably get them at any fitness store.
the best assistance movement for front squats is actually barbell military press. Ive been hittin those hard and my front squat has skyrocketed!
for the last grip, if you feel pain in your wrists doing that is it a flexibility issue?
The guy talking in the video is one of my buddies on BB.COM. Looks like he is cycling.
Because cussing at people always makes them listen and be receptive to your expertise.
I just did front squats & my front deltoids are sore as hell . Will this get better?
The only way to become more flexible in that position is to have less bicep muscle.
Hey there! what is that strap called? I'd like to buy i'd like to buy it thank you!
I kind of prefer doing the cross armed method...only because I look more badass.
life saver i always wanted to try front squats but couldn't get the grip right
give it time your wrist will get use to the pain as your flexability improves.
LOL. Elliot Hulse? He says the same thing in his video on front squatting.
sounds like a pretty harsh theoretical reaction to some criticism...
Dude. Coach Thibs says it not correct just a few seconds later!!!
He should increase his flexibility instead of using the straps.
I tried dong them every way and I like the straps way better.
Yeah I did this today and barely hit half my 1RM back squat.
What do you think about using straps in a similar way for a low bar back squat? I can't get my hands on the bar because of bad shoulder mobility after old injuries. I have tried to stretch but I only hurt myself.
@@tnation You were right. Unracking felt fine but it's unstable when you start to move around.
this is brilliant!!!!!! I just got some straps, now my problem is I dont have a weight frame, I work out at home, I need to figure out how to do the strap thing from lifting the weight from the ground.
any ideas?
Yeah buddy. Front squats have yet to make a bitch out of me
is Christian Thibaudeau, one of the best strenght trainer
Best squats are regular back squats
regardless of the weight it should rest on the shoulders
Pretty flexible for a guy your size and your harm length
strap idea is fucking awesome. I'm so pumped to try this
What are the straps called? I need to buy myself a pair.
@FearPantera Yes, the guy in the red shirt noted that.
Let me know how it goes bud, I find I get a huge forearm and bicep pump from stabilizing but nonetheless it works really well! cheers from canada!
So you use wrist straps on the bar? Just to be clear
oh god. abnormally developed muscles are disgusting.
I cant do the power clean hold because of my wrists
Dude, very fucking informative! excuse my language.