Good Front Squat/Push Press videos - JP Fitness Forums

rixatrix · 03-10-2008, 08:33 AM

I was perusing YouTube and found these videos from CrossFit:

Front Squat - demonstrates good form/bad form:
YouTube - How to do a FRONT SQUAT?

"Fran" workout - front squats/push presses followed by pull ups. The girl in this video, I think her name is Annie, is crazy strong and about the best role model for female weight lifting - she's not bulky at all, and I would KILL to be as strong as she is!
YouTube - CrossFIt - Benchmark workout - "Fran"

And they were doing front squats/push presses on The Biggest Loser last week! They used medicine balls, but I was so happy to see a more complex exercise broadcasted for everyone to see.

instantblue · 03-10-2008, 11:33 AM

Thanks for posting these! All I can say is wow! I now have a new goal

jzomom · 03-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Thanks for posting those, I start stage 2 next week and I confess the front squat push press has me nervous.

rixatrix · 03-10-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzomom

Thanks for posting those, I start stage 2 next week and I confess the front squat push press has me nervous.

I did my first ones this morning - I think I could improve in form, mostly around how I'm holding the bar, but all in all they weren't the snarling beasts I thought they'd be.

Just get in there and own them! Don't let them smell your fear.

Bonnie · 03-10-2008, 09:52 PM

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jo----LENE.....

I haven't heard that song in SO LONG!

missjane · 03-11-2008, 04:07 AM

I notice in the FS/push presses that they aren't changing their hand position at all. Is this OK to do?

LaraT · 03-11-2008, 05:29 AM

WOW...just wow is all I can say.

Although her form isn't so good on the squats.

MuscleMom23 · 03-11-2008, 06:55 AM

Fran Whoa, that is strength and endurance in my book!

karenmc6 · 03-11-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I notice in the FS/push presses that they aren't changing their hand position at all. Is this OK to do?

i have to be honest and say that i don't change my hand position much either. i try, but i just can't coordinate it all. if i focus on my hand and elbow positions, then i lose the momentum for the press.

i think hand position is important for balance through the squat and for maximizing lifting weight (by bracing the bar with your body and not just your hands). maybe when we get back to these in stage four, i'll be better equipped to do these correctly.

karen

Green_eyed_gal · 03-11-2008, 07:54 AM

I just started stage four and FS/PS are much easier the second time around... When I did them the first time I could barely do a full set with just the bar..I can't remember how much weight I ended with. This time I started with 10 lbs added to the bar and I was able to do all three sets!!

I think I'm going to up weight a little next time and see what happens.

karenmc6 · 03-11-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green_eyed_gal

I just started stage four and FS/PS are much easier the second time around... When I did them the first time I could barely do a full set with just the bar..I can't remember how much weight I ended with. This time I started with 10 lbs added to the bar and I was able to do all three sets!!

I think I'm going to up weight a little next time and see what happens.

good to know! and congrats!
i'll finish stage two tomorrow and start stage three on monday. it's always nice to hear that people have survived the next stage!!

karen

jzomom · 03-11-2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rixatrix

I did my first ones this morning - I think I could improve in form, mostly around how I'm holding the bar, but all in all they weren't the snarling beasts I thought they'd be.

Just get in there and own them! Don't let them smell your fear.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have my AMRAPs this week and I am starting stage 2 next week so I will let you know how it goes.

marygrace · 03-11-2008, 11:38 AM

That was a good video, thanks for posting it. I really liked how it pointed out good and bad things while the squat was happening.

missjane · 03-11-2008, 12:42 PM

I'd much rather NOT have to change my hand position. Hoping Lisa~ pops in here to clarify. I just find the change to be very hard for me.

DirtyMartini · 03-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I notice in the FS/push presses that they aren't changing their hand position at all. Is this OK to do?

In that CrossFit video, right (the one where they're going really fast), they're holding the bar with their hands, which the good/bad form video says not to do... I found it REALLY difficult to consistently do the front squats by just supporting the bar with my fingers. My wrists don't bend that far back.... So I ended up starting with the bar in the right spot and ended my set with it a little less so (like in the crevice between my palm and base of my fingers)...

I wonder what the benefit is of changing the form (or, rather, not changing hand positions) with the fast reps...

missjane · 03-11-2008, 02:57 PM

I don't have a problem holding the bar in the correct front squat position with my fingers. BUT, I have a problem transitioning the bar to the meaty part of my hand/palm to prepare for the press. I find it easier to just hold the bar as if I am doing just the press and doing my squat in this position and then --bam -- up into the press. However, I don't use a lot of weight and I can see this would be a real problem once I increase the weight.

I guess I'll see how I do when I get to Stage 4 with these. But, I know I should be doing the right hand positioning (ie front squat with fingers into the hand for the press).

DirtyMartini · 03-11-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missjane

I can see this would be a real problem once I increase the weight.

that's a really good point.

jzomom · 03-12-2008, 03:07 PM

Today was my first AMRAP day but I tried a couple of these with just the bar after I finished and can I say awkward? The hand position is weird, holding the weight in front makes me squat different and I really hope I don't clock myself in the face with the bar. I am going to rewatch the videos and visualize myself a bit before I give it a go again.