Front Squats

[brian robinson]

Wrist flexibility is limiting the weight I can squat. Is it ok to use straps? I have to assume the intent of the exercise is primarily quads/glutes and not a wrist flexibility exercise.

[Biskit]

Have you tried crossing your arms in front of your chest and resting the bar on them? Wrap a towel around the bar as it can rub on your arms.

Deb

[Chris-STL]

I agree with Deb...sorta. I would say do as many as you can with wrists under, then finish up with crossed arms. To me this is like saying your grip strength is limiting your deadlifts. I think you need to develop the flexibility just like you have to develop the grip strength for DLs.

[themossman]

This has been killing me too, but I'm only completed two workouts trying to do it.

After the first I came home confused, wondering what the heck I was doing wrong. I figured out the first thing I was doing wrong was supporting the bar in front of my shoulders(not touching them at all).

During the second workout, I was still having issues...didn't feel like I could quite get my upper arm perpendicular to the floor. So, going back to the book, and reading AGAIN. I think the problem is that I'm trying to maintain a full grip on the bar when Lou clearly states not to do so and let the bar roll down on your fingers.

I'll let you know how tomorrows attempt goes... &

[pjb923]

This questions seems to come up over and over again. Take a look at this thread.

http://forums.jpfitness.com/new-rule...-cant-get.html

When I started front squats I had lots of trouble with my wrists. I would do as many reps as I could and then switch to back squats to finish the workout. With every workout I would make some progress until I eventually worked my way up to a 315lb front squat.

[Alcoholiday]

one thing to make sure is that your wrists are not at an angle for clean grip, and to keep them in line with your forearms, and keep the forearms up.

[Cynic]

My elbows tend to flare out, but in general, the upper arms are parallel to the floor.

something you can try that helped me:

A stretch - Using your right hand/arm, hold your left hand into place. Switch sides.

[Lost Dog]

IMO, the goal of the front squat is to squat in that position, so working on the wrist flexibility to do them isn't necessary. Unless you plan on olympic lifting, use the crossed arms method or use straps as handles to keep the bar up there.

[Lisa~]

Good link Paul. You know I love those Gayle Hatch videos you link from that thread.

Here's another thread about front squats where we've posted some pictures of alternate grip options. I like using a clean grip to front squat and sometimes it's just a matter of learning how to do it. But some of my clients just never get it and I have them use straps to hold the bar.

Front Squats

[brian robinson]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Lost Dog:

You answer was the one I was hoping to hear.

[AFI82]

I lacked the wrist flexibility to do them as described in the book. So I did the arms crossed method. It worked well for me. Made gains on my squat. For me it was more important to just get the weight to the front side. It put me off-balance (as I had only back squatted before) and that's what I assumed the point of the exercise was.