Question about the Dumbbell Single Arm Overhead Squat

[SpacecityPaula]

Lou:

I know you will probably have to get with Alwyn to get the answer for this question, but what's the purpose for the varying weights on the DB Single Arm Overhead Squat?

I was just kind of curious because I've never seen this kind of variation on the squat and was wondering what the rationale was.

Thanks for an excellent book!

Paula

[Cassandra Forsythe]

Hey Paula!

This exercise rocks! And it's a lot harder than it seems. Trust me

By your question, do you mean what's the purpose of having a lighter weight above your head and a heavier below?

If that's the question, then it's because you can't reliably hold a heavy weight above your head with one arm while you squat; you'd drop it on your head! Now, we don't want that do we?

I thought the same thing when I first read the exercise and tried holding a 15lb DB above my head with a 15 below.... and I almost knocked myself out! Now, I'm by no means a weakling, but your spinal errectors coupled with your rotator cuff/lat muscles are taking much of the burden and they're not always as strong as we think they are!

Is this what you were looking for?

Originally Posted by SpacecityPaula

Lou:

I know you will probably have to get with Alwyn to get the answer for this question, but what's the purpose for the varying weights on the DB Single Arm Overhead Squat?

I was just kind of curious because I've never seen this kind of variation on the squat and was wondering what the rationale was.

Thanks for an excellent book!

Paula

[SpacecityPaula]

Yup Cassandra Thanks.

I figured that it probably had something to do with that, but still decided to ask because you never know what other motivations there might be.

[stingo]

I'd think it'd be more metabolically expensive (more muscles recruited simultaneously), which is what you'd want in a fat loss oriented program.