Comments on: Know Your Lifts: The High-Bar Back Squat

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:21:25 +0000

Jonathan I hope you’re trolling. If not, here’s the truth. Physical therapists have the disadvantage of only seeing a population who has already been injured and probably had bad form. PT’s don’t necessarily know shit about lifting and in telling you not to squat below parallel are deferring to ‘common knowledge’ (old wive’s tale) so that they can play it safe. Squatting above parallel makes a huge difference in that at the CRUCIAL point where the weight is stopped and reversed, all of the pressure is on the tendons and ligaments of the knees. In a proper below-parallel squat, the stretch of the hip musculature takes the brunt of the movement-reversal forces, and the knee is spared this uniquely stressful action. Squatting ‘a few inches lower’ DEFINITELY makes a difference in that it makes it a proper hip-involved squat. Squatting happens at the hips. Squatting above parallel is very, very pussy.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:34:14 +0000

Several physical therapists have told me that lower than parallel will destroy your knees and doesn’t add functionality. It shifts all the weight to ligaments that can’t support it. I would use caution. An extra few inches isn’t going to make you any healthier.

By: John Doe

John Doe — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:40:57 +0000

You go lower than parallel, as far down as your flexibility allows. Low bar is for chumps.

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:51:41 +0000

That said, if I had to pick ONE lower body lift, and nothing else, no RDL’s no Hypers, no assistance at all (which is essentially the case for newbs), the Low Bar is the obvious go-to because it does a little bit of everything for the hips, legs, lower back etc. It’s just that you don’t squat to strengthen the posterior chain, that’s not the point. You squat to load the fundamental body movement of squatting, which babies do and billions of people use as their go-to method of resting, eating, etc. It’s GOING to be a quad and glute dominant lift. The Low Bar obviously allows more weight but sacrifices depth in a less natural position, as seen in the fact that it is highly technical and needs to be learned properly. Nothing but respect for Rip and anyone going to the rack and adding weight to the bar.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:04:12 +0000

I’m so sick of this argument. This is The Art of Manliness, not The Art of Overthinking a Lift where we all come to repeat shit we’ve read on the internet written by other people who are also repeating what they’ve heard. If you felt the need to explain to the world the finer points of bar position and really think you’re contributing anything except repetitive static, you need to rethink your training and stop being a groupie. There are better posterior chain movements than the low bar. Rip is a solid dude but the level of sheeplike behavior from his flock has been old for a while now. High Bar is a purer squat, flat out. Supplement it with Good Mornings or RDLs. Low bar is cool too.

By: Paul White

Paul White — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:29:59 +0000

Low bar vs High bar…who the hell cares? I personally have a MUCH easier time keeping form right (tight core, getting depth) with the high bar squat so that’s what I do. If low bar works for you, go for it! Dogmatic insistence on one or the other is stupid.

By: Dou Evenlift

Dou Evenlift — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:35:26 +0000

So much e-statting going on here. I’m 12 years old and have only lifted for 3 months and I squat 950lbs raw.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:11:41 +0000

The thumbs are inconsistent in these diagrams. On this lift, it’s not necessary to grip the bar with the thumb.

These are very effective teaching tools, but for a beginner, a trainer, or at least a lot more background is probably needed to avoid injury/wasting time.

The one-shoulder leotard is the best lifting outfit, however.

By: Jake in N.D.

Jake in N.D. — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 01:25:51 +0000

Two great websites that explain “Old School” pre-steroid weightlifting are superstrenghtraining.com and dinosaurtraining.com.

By: KambizAmini

KambizAmini — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 11:52:40 +0000

Squat and deathlift are two so-called compound exercises. It means that if you whant to build muscle, get stronger, get bigger: Do Squat! Very instructional Illustration ! Many thanks!