Silverwind Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 So I posted this in the "ask a question" thread a few days ago, but didn't get any feedback, so figured I'd throw it out there as its own thread. I have a question specific to squatting. I've read that, especially once you're squatting heavier weights, the best place to position your hands on the bar is close to your shoulders. I think I read somewhere on these boards that 2" from each shoulder is a good distance. I'm finding that I can't get my grip anywhere near that close to my shoulders. My hands seem to grip the bar about 8-10 inches from my shoulders (and if the squat rack wasn't in the way, I'd probably position even wider). Any closer, and my wrists contort in all sorts of uncomfortable/unsafe ways. Is this just a flexibility issue? What's the main benefit to a closer grip? And if it's a flexibility issue, anyone have a suggested way to stretch that'd help increase my flexibility? Thanks for any help or insights, Jeff Quote 1st Challenge | Current Challenge "Eat a ton of protein. Squat heavy. Push heavy objects. Have sex. Love life." -Jim Wendler Warrior Challenge Vanity Goal: 4k pushups in 6 weeks 31.3%31.3% 1250/4,000 Link to comment
andygates Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 Actually what you describe is pretty close; wide is up against the collars. A nice description here: http://robertsontrainingsystems.com/blog/squat/ in the "Set-Up" section. For flexibility I'll do some empty-bar squats starting hands-wide and coming in a bit as I rep, and lots of arm circles before and between sets. I'm the goddamn windmill. Quote Link to comment
Knightwatch Posted October 9, 2011 Report Share Posted October 9, 2011 If I can get any part of my hands on the ring of non-knurled bar by the time I start my work sets, I'm pretty happy with that. I'm a lot wider on ky first warmup set, and bring them in from there. One of the benefits of bringing in your hands is that it helps create a tighter shelf on your back for the bar to sit. Quote "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder." --GK Chesterton Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur anima mea... http://www.facebook.com/#!/jbaileysewell Link to comment
Silverwind Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks for the feedback and link. Thought that 2" from the shoulders seemed a little too close for comfort. Quote 1st Challenge | Current Challenge "Eat a ton of protein. Squat heavy. Push heavy objects. Have sex. Love life." -Jim Wendler Warrior Challenge Vanity Goal: 4k pushups in 6 weeks 31.3%31.3% 1250/4,000 Link to comment
anxiety Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 It doesn't matter where you place your hands, you aren't really suppose to use your hands that much anyways. Look at Ronnie Coleman when he squats, his hands are as wide as you can get because it cancels out any help from your hands and places everything (stabilization) upon your legs/core. Quote I lift things up and put them down! Link to comment
andygates Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Ain't Ronnie's hands where they are because of the gigantic wall of human beef in the way? Quote Link to comment
CaptainAzlan Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Ain't Ronnie's hands where they are because of the gigantic wall of human beef in the way? Favorite thing I've seen all day. Quote Link to comment
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