03-12-2006, 12:18 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
| Making Progress
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Belfast Posts: 107 Rep Power:  | 
Really? Here's where I got the idea... http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1276773
... Quote:
Back pain has three root causes as it relates to lifting. Torque (forward lean), compression (high spinal loads), and flexion are what cause back injuries. Front squats lessen torque, compression, and flexion, and are therefore inherently safer.
I've written before that you can't front squat badly. The truth is you probably can front squat badly, but it's a lot easier to back squat badly. In general, if you front squat poorly, you'll dump the bar.
However, there are three major reasons people still do back squats versus front squats:
1. They always have. (A bad reason, but people really hate change.)
2. They can lift more weight. (Ego is always a big problem).
3. They perceive front squats as difficult due to poor wrist flexibility.
Number three is easily solved with an old Charles Poliquin trick. Just add straps to the bar.
The truth is that front squats decrease spinal load and improve back position — two positives in my book. My athletes and clients haven't done a back squat in about seven years. We have very little back pain. We still front squat relatively heavy. My college players front squat between 300 and 350 pounds to powerlifting depth at bodyweights of 180-200 with no wraps and usually a Velcro belt.
| |
|  |