Knowing How Much to Lift

Peaches6311 · 06-09-2009, 03:09 PM

Hi,

I am going to do Fat-Loss II tonight at the gym. I have no idea on how much to lift on the front squat. I have done all the other exercises before, but this is a new one. I know that it will be alot less than the regular squat --- any help would be appreciated --- I really blew it the first time I did a deadlift and way overestimated my abilities.

If it helps I did 105 in BuildIn on the squat. I was thinking maybe starting at 50 # --- about half of what I did on the squat. Is that about what you did?

Thanks,
Peaches

OldGuy · 06-09-2009, 04:34 PM

That would be a good place to start. You'll get the feel for where you should be in a short time.

mimi_pope · 06-09-2009, 06:52 PM

SInce it's a completely different hold also, might be a good idea to do a few warmup reps with just the bar to get a feel for the move and grip, and to gauge the weight.
Front squats are really hard on my wrists if they are not set up properly.

Peaches6311 · 06-09-2009, 10:47 PM

I couldn't find a way for the bar to not hurt my wrist. Granted I don't have a lot of flexibility in my wrist. This was a good stretch, but didn't feel enjoyable. So, was I doing it wrong or does it stretch your wrist a little?

LisaS · 06-09-2009, 11:18 PM

It's hard to get at first but rumor has it that eventually you adjust. I'm still working on the clean grip for power cleans.
In the mean time you can use the body builder crossed-arm style if you cannot do the reps with the clean grip.

big mario · 06-10-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

So, was I doing it wrong or does it stretch your wrist a little?

Peaches,
Next time try and get your elbows up a bit higher, a let the bar get closer to your throat. This may feel a little unerving, like you are occaisionally are being choked, but on the whole is a lot more comfortable.
mario

Peaches6311 · 06-10-2009, 08:51 AM

Actually the bar was right at my throat. I kind of sat on the top of my fingers, shoulders and that bone in front of the throat (collar bone???). I know that I have weird problems with my wrist --- has been an issue in my martial arts. Sometimes I can't get my wrist to bend like they should.

Even standing on my hands hurts my wrist because it stretches them so much.

But thanks for the help --- I will just suffer through. It will probably be good for them to be forced stretched.

uberllama · 06-14-2009, 12:08 PM

I have to admit I couldn't do the front squat at all, so I just did a regular squat. I just didn't seem to have the right physiology and wasn't ready to do a move that felt so awkward and unnatural. So if you can do it at all, be proud.

Peaches6311 · 06-14-2009, 01:27 PM

I do need to work on my wrist flexibility. I might do some handstands in the next few days and stretch them out. I have also rolled around the idea of just getting a massage. Another problem I have is that my arms are really short and when I bend them, my bisept gets in the way and my hands end up by my ears LOL. And if I lift my arms higher my hands end up behind the back of my neck --- I can't lean my head back far enough.

But I think the whole idea is to just keep the bar up and close to the body so its not putting extra weight on lower back. That I can do.

Peaches6311 · 06-14-2009, 01:38 PM

Uberllama, do you really believe that self loathing is the key to a healthy body, or are you just being funny?

uberllama · 06-14-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaches6311

Uberllama, do you really believe that self loathing is the key to a healthy body, or are you just being funny?

Ha! A little of both, I suppose.