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High and low bar squats?

Lurkio		High and low bar squats?	31-03-2010 @ 10:23
as deep as his fat little body will allow Member 265, 4173 posts SQ 222.5, BP 142.5, DL 235 600.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	Why do people vary their bar placement when squatting? I have never really been able to understand this? I just squat with the bar where its most comfortable. Please discuss.

youngy		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:28
crushed the generals chance of 6th place Member 588, 5477 posts SQ 200, BP 100, DL 200 500.0 kgs @ 84kgs UnEq	From my experience the lower the bar the more it tries to push you forward. The higher the bar the easier it is to keep your torso upright. I squat somewhere in between the two. Its just a case of people doing whats comfortable for them high or low or doing it that way because someone tells them.

mikex101		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:32
never too old Member 637, 760 posts	The bar tends to work its way down my back from set to set as my shoulders and elbows warm up and i can get it lower.

JC		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:37
technical retard Member 172, 36827 posts SQ 310, BP 205, DL 335 850.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	I squat high bar as squatting low bar (how I used to squat) is painful on my shoulders due to lack of flexibility

Joni		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:45
left the country satisfied Member 10, 19241 posts SQ 240, BP 150, DL 270 660.0 kgs @ 107kgs UnEq	JC said:I squat high bar as squatting low bar (how I used to squat) is painful on my shoulders due to lack of flexibility same here. And it works better with the narrow stance deep squats.

Lurkio		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:49
as deep as his fat little body will allow Member 265, 4173 posts SQ 222.5, BP 142.5, DL 235 600.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	Post Edited: 31.03.2010 @ 10:51 AM by Lurkio Thanks for the replies so far, and I understand your reasonings. However, some people purposely alternate between the two, this puzzles me, as I don't understand what can achieve by it? I understand Weightlifters place the bar high on their traps, and I am told this enables the lifter to squat deeper. So why don't all powerlifters adopt this approach? It also provides a better transfer, if you like, to cleans and snatches. Lower bar position, tends to make the lifter lean forward, thus making it harder to reach depth! So, why do powerlifters do this?

JC		...	31-03-2010 @ 10:50
technical retard Member 172, 36827 posts SQ 310, BP 205, DL 335 850.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	Lurkio said: I am told this enables the lifter to squat deeper. So why don't all powerlifters adopt this approach? Low bar, in theory, enables you to squat more due to a lower centre of gravity. I reckon I could squat a good 20KG more low bar

youngy		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:04
crushed the generals chance of 6th place Member 588, 5477 posts SQ 200, BP 100, DL 200 500.0 kgs @ 84kgs UnEq	High bar tends to go along with deep squats, narrow stance and close hand position on the bar. I think this is a much more functional squat for the olly lifter and strongman. Low bar goes with higher squats(still to parralel in most cases) wider stance, wide hand placement on the bar. This is generally what powerlifters do as they only have to get to parralel and back up again to pass the lift. Its stronger like JC said because of the bar being closer to the centre of gravity and also there is a reduced ROM. As for why someone would alternate the two? I think the lower bar squats tends to work and involve the hips more than high bar.

Wayne_Cowdrey		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:07
Still got a little bit of strength Member 400, 22827 posts	Lurkio said: I just squat with the bar where its most comfortable. Me too.

Doc_D		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:26
please use accurate taxonomy in our communication Member 871, 469 posts SQ 240, BP 137.5, DL 262.5 640.0 kgs @ 89kgs Eq	They are very different movements. High bar = more quads; low bar = more posterior chain. I was always much stronger (in PL) with a low bar, but used high bar as a useful accessorial movement. But low bar for high reps, unless using a Buffalo bar, can be extremely uncomfortable. The fundamental issue is the goal of the movement: to lift the most weight possible, or to create a specific training effect.

b_rex		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:34
jogging bottoms are like sweat pants Member 935, 972 posts SQ 220, BP 120, DL 227.5 567.5 kgs @ 97.6kgs UnEq	I use low bar in competition as I am much stronger like that. I think high bars have their place though, and in particular are good for conditioning the low back.

mishima		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:43
pink french superstar beard Member 26, 4030 posts SQ 190, BP 0, DL 205 395.0 kgs @ 75kgs UnEq	I think it's more a question of legs work. The higher the bar the more legs and the lesser back involved. It is in my mind more efficient "weight wise " to squat with a low bar as it's going to use both muscle groups in sinergy. Weightlifters squat to clean, and use it as a legs work, the weight shifted is then secondary. Or so i think...

Lurkio		...	31-03-2010 @ 11:45
as deep as his fat little body will allow Member 265, 4173 posts SQ 222.5, BP 142.5, DL 235 600.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	Thanks lads - all very interesting.

IainKendrick		...	31-03-2010 @ 12:14
some nice relaxing jazz. Member 77, 12599 posts SQ 265, BP 165, DL 280 710.0 kgs @ 93kgs UnEq	I can squat deep in both styles. But for powerlifting just below parrallel is fine and few should have any probs meeting that depth in either style. You can, obviously, lift alot in both styles and many people do well somewhere inbetween!

little_a		...	31-03-2010 @ 12:27
still a devious weightlifting bastard Member 43, 14379 posts	IainKendrick said:I can squat deep in both styles. But for powerlifting just below parrallel is fine and few should have any probs meeting that depth in either style. You can, obviously, lift alot in both styles and many people do well somewhere inbetween! You're becoming really diplomatic in your old age Iain. I can only aspire to one day be a fraction as compassionate. Personally I just cant see why people dont do it proper

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