Alternative Squat Technique!

[bass]

for those older guys with bad backs, here is a great way to do squats without putting the weight on your shoulders!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng2Bo...eature=related

http://www.amazon.com/Altus-Athletic...8138279&sr=8-5

[APIs]

The motion is decent, but the amount of weight you can use is limited. Might be good for a change in your routine, but a leg press is still better IMO...

[kelkel]

Don't know Bass. If you have a bad back it looks like you could torque it out just getting into position to do it. Agree with API here. Leg press may be your way to go. I put a vertical leg press in my basement instead of a 45 degree. Doesn't take up much space and you don't need as much weight as the 45. Works really well.

[J DIESEL3]

Due to not being able to use much weight this may be a exercise to use after getting a little burned up doing leg presses.Thanks bass I am always looking for ways to save my back due to years of abuse!

[bass]

Don't know Bass. If you have a bad back it looks like you could torque it out just getting into position to do it. Agree with API here. Leg press may be your way to go. I put a vertical leg press in my basement instead of a 45 degree. Doesn't take up much space and you don't need as much weight as the 45. Works really well.

to be honest even with my bad back i tried it just to see how it feels, i put about 100 pounds and didn't feel any pressure on my back, nothing! once my back is healed I'll definitely give this a try. yes leg press are great and its what i do now, but this exercise is identical to squats, the difference is in stead of weights being on your shoulder they are on your hip, and as we know squats hit muscle in a different way than leg press. you can put good amount of weights if you use a chain and stand on steps, you can also use cables. you can find all these different techniques on youtube. just something to try for those who have a bad back.

[SEOINAGE]

They make a cable machine for this that allows you to squat a substantial amount of weight.
http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...id=114&pid=349

[Vettester]

Thanks for sharing that, bass.

[baseline_9]

The only negative would be the amount of weight you can safely use...

[zaggahamma]

looks similar to holding a dumbell in front and doing squats and did u catch the music in that hard core gym playing in the background...soooooooooooooooo glad i got my headphones and pandora......geeeeeeeeeeeeeeez

[sirupate]

My present set-up at home pretty much restricts me to doing dumbbell squats or lunges, or leg extensions. I'm not trying to be huge anymore though. Trying to do more core work so my back doesn't get bad again like it once was.

[Dukkit]

Good thing to throw in after pre-exhausting the legs.

[Far from massive]

Another great device is the manta ray clip on, while it may be designed primarily to keep from impinging the muscles and nerves in the neck area, I have found it also makes it a lot easier to maintain good form therby easing the load on the lower back.

[kelkel]

My present set-up at home pretty much restricts me to doing dumbbell squats or lunges, or leg extensions. I'm not trying to be huge anymore though. Trying to do more core work so my back doesn't get bad again like it once was.

Smart. Tons of back issues are caused by weak abdominals and/or tight hamstrings. Think body balance.

[bass]

looks similar to holding a dumbell in front and doing squats and did u catch the music in that hard core gym playing in the background...soooooooooooooooo glad i got my headphones and pandora......geeeeeeeeeeeeeeez

if you use dumbbells you still putting the weight on your back, this one put zero weights on your back. i believe you can put allot of weights if you have a good setup.

[JohnnyVegas]

Very cool! I would give it a try, but no way I am going to be a dick and ruin their benches like that.

[zaggahamma]

if you use dumbbells you still putting the weight on your back, this one put zero weights on your back. i believe you can put allot of weights if you have a good setup.

i wonder if we're thinking of the same exercise...u hold the db under your chin ?

[JohnnyVegas]

^^^^ Any weight held in your arms compresses the spine. Assuming you are standing, of course.

I started doing single-legged leg presses with success, and might try single-leg squats soon to see if I can do them. It puts only half the stress on the spine since you are using half the weight. Dec11 turned me onto that. I felt like an idiot for not coming up with it on my own, but that is why I come here.

[bass]

^^^^ Any weight held in your arms compresses the spine. Assuming you are standing, of course.

I started doing single-legged leg presses with success, and might try single-leg squats soon to see if I can do them. It puts only half the stress on the spine since you are using half the weight. Dec11 turned me onto that. I felt like an idiot for not coming up with it on my own, but that is why I come here.

excellent idea! it may take longer to finish your workout but its well worth it!

[zaggahamma]

^^^^ Any weight held in your arms compresses the spine. Assuming you are standing, of course.

I started doing single-legged leg presses with success, and might try single-leg squats soon to see if I can do them. It puts only half the stress on the spine since you are using half the weight. Dec11 turned me onto that. I felt like an idiot for not coming up with it on my own, but that is why I come here.

i see..
so single leg squats with no weight?

[JohnnyVegas]

^^^ Single leg squats with full weight. But since you are only doing one leg, it is only half the weight and half the stress on the back. It doesn't fix the problem like the dip belt idea, but it allows real squats with less stress. I think the problem with the belt idea is capacity. How do you strap hundreds of pounds your waist?

[zaggahamma]

Ok...so still a no go for bass then

[bass]

here is how you can put as much weights as you want!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA2G6...eature=related

[bass]

LOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBBU2...eature=related

[JohnnyVegas]

here is how you can put as much weights as you want!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA2G6...eature=related

That is kinda cool. Looks a little clunky, but better than not being able to squat!

LOL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBBU2...eature=related

Bwahaahaahaaa! What the hell is that? I was expecting a lot more after all that buildup.

[kelkel]

JV I do a similar one leg move after heavy primary exercises. I have a smith machine in my basement and it's basically a one leg squat with the other leg extended back. I do set up the working leg several inches in front of where I'd normally place it for squats though to keep the knee from travelling too far out. Basically appears like a lunge/squat without rotating legs every rep. Complete all reps for one leg, then the other, then rest. Killer way to finish quads.

[bass]

well i guess now they make machines for it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ-OQHwAa0g

[kelkel]

Did you research and find out what it would cost you for your basement Bass?

[bass]

LOL, no even if i can afford it i don't have room! i think I'll try the belt and use my cable machine to see how it works then go from there! did my back MRI BTW, waiting for results!

[kelkel]

Keep us posted!