High Bar Squats with the Bar Low

[iamsmu]

I hate having the bar on my traps. Hate it. Is there any good reason why I can't do high bar style squats with the bar in low bar position? I think I was able to get close yesterday, but maybe I was still too bent over. The bar wasn't sliding off my back or anything.

(I'm not talking about the low bar position as illustrated on the cover of SS. I don't think that position is possible. It's in the middle of his back. So strange. . . I'm talking about the bar on the rear delts, or around there.)

[Wilhelm]

I think you could do a low bar squat with a more upright torso, but not a nearly vertical torso.
Unless you segments are such that you are forced to lean far forward.
I think i squat that way. Fairly upright torso
Butt goes back, but knees also go forward some.


To me, what you describe is classic low bar position.
Resting on the shelf of muscle formed when having the shoulderblades squeezed together.
Push up beyond that point, and then slide down and let the bar snap into place.
Definitely on the rear delts.

[iamsmu]

To me, what you describe is classic low bar position.
Resting on the shelf of muscle formed when having the shoulderblades squeezed together.
Push up beyond that point, and then slide down and let the bar snap into place.
Definitely on the rear delts.

That's exactly where I have the bar.

[Wilhelm]

Totally low bar.

The drawing on the cover of that book is just bad.

[damufunman]

If you can support the bar at the top without too much trouble, I don't see why you could to a more upright squat with it, you'll still be more horizontal that standing there. Don't think the bar will fall off. I've got a pretty upright low bar squat at about 45° back angle. Just really get your knees forward and let your back do what it's gotta do. High heels will probably help.

[asdf]

I hate having the bar on my traps. Hate it.

If it's because of pain, that will go away after a few workouts. Sort of like with the hook-grip.

[mgil]

Karl Schudt is upright as all can be with a low bar position.

[OCG]

Hold the bar however is comfy and doesn't hurt or give you elbow aids. Squat however doesn't give you hip or knee aids. Don't worry about the rest.

[mgil]

Hold the bar however is comfy and doesn't hurt or give you elbow aids. Squat however doesn't give you hip or knee aids. Don't worry about the rest.

Yes.

Squat with stability and control, the rest is dictated by anatomy.

[BostonRugger]

Karl Schudt is upright as all can be with a low bar position.

I like Karl, but I seem to remember him having hobbit legs.

[mgil]

Karl Schudt is upright as all can be with a low bar position.

I like Karl, but I seem to remember him having hobbit legs.

Correct.

[OCG]

Hold the bar however is comfy and doesn't hurt or give you elbow aids. Squat however doesn't give you hip or knee aids. Don't worry about the rest.

Yes.

Squat with stability and control, the rest is dictated by anatomy.

I feel like for all the talk, in reality for a single individual, there is a very small range for bar placements and range of positions and angles that person can actually hit and all this talk of high or law bar is a difference of a few degrees and less important than finding a pattern that feels comfortable and isn't going to cause pain and layoffs over the long term.

All this talk of very wide bent over low bar or super upright high bar Is like talking about a 3" ROM bench with a super wide japanese grip and massive arch vs. a flat back close grip pointers on the ring bench. It's an extreme most people aren't going to hit, shouldn't be trying too and actually only applies to a very small percentage of lifters who can pull it off.

[mgil]

A good squat model:

Place the bar such that it is secure on your upper back and your grip is comfortable and tension free. Unrack the bar, step out into a comfortable stance, squat down until the hip drops slightly below parallel, then return to standing.

Fin.