OH Squats = Lumbar problems. Never do them, ever!!! REALLY!?

Big G · 02-01-2008, 01:10 PM

OK... So I'm doing OH squats for the first time ever today. I tried it with just the bar to see how it felt and it wasn't too bad. I could feel it stretching my lower back, but it felt good. I added 2x25lb plates (i.e. 95lb total) and did a few more. On the final reps I wobbled a little bit in my torso but I figured that's just a stablizer thing and I'd toughen up as the weeks roll by (I plan to do OH squats for next 6weeks).

Seconds later I have a guy standing beside me explaining that he's a physical therapist and a medical professional and what I'm doing is e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y dangerous. He explains that every time I wobble a little bit I'm putting an unreasonable amount of stress on my spine and if I continue to do OH squats at any weight I'm liable to blow-out my lower lumbar area. He goes on telling me that I should never do OH squats ever because of how dangerous they are.

Is he right?

I can't see it. Not with a measely 95lb. But still... what do you think?

**Gazhole** · 02-01-2008, 01:19 PM

I think he's right that you shouldnt do them if you wobble.

Take the weight down and buildup gradually. Theyre not an easy movement, and require a hell of a lot of coordination and stability. If youre not completely stable at a certain load, its retarded to keep doing them at that load.

As for not doing them at all, i have no input on that. I think theyre a great movement if done properly - much like everything. Its only dangerous if you do it wrong, so make sure you DONT do it wrong.

DOMS · 02-01-2008, 01:23 PM

Gaz hit the nail on the head (or whatever they do in Wales).

If you're form isn't spot on and stable, you need to drop the weight.

OH Squat are a great exercise!

fufu · 02-01-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big G

OK... So I'm doing OH squats for the first time ever today. I tried it with just the bar to see how it felt and it wasn't too bad. I could feel it stretching my lower back, but it felt good. I added 2x25lb plates (i.e. 95lb total) and did a few more. On the final reps I wobbled a little bit in my torso but I figured that's just a stablizer thing and I'd toughen up as the weeks roll by (I plan to do OH squats for next 6weeks).

Seconds later I have a guy standing beside me explaining that he's a physical therapist and a medical professional and what I'm doing is e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y dangerous. He explains that every time I wobble a little bit I'm putting an unreasonable amount of stress on my spine and if I continue to do OH squats at any weight I'm liable to blow-out my lower lumbar area. He goes on telling me that I should never do OH squats ever because of how dangerous they are.

Is he right?

I can't see it. Not with a measely 95lb. But still... what do you think?

The overhead squat is a great exercise. However, you need to have good flexibility and good overall mobility(ankles, hips, spine and shoulders) to complete the movement correctly. Most people don't have those kind of abilities so most people should not do them. I would never discourage someone from working to be able to do them, though.

Shit, most people shouldn't be squatting in their current body state.

goob · 02-01-2008, 01:42 PM

I have given up OH squats as my shoulders hate them, they seem to put a lot of pressure on them whilr holding the bar.

It's a pity, cuz they're a great movement.

Witchblade · 02-01-2008, 02:37 PM

In conclusion with Gaz and fufu: overhead squats are not dangerous.

Doublebase · 02-01-2008, 04:15 PM

Try them with the bar first. Do sets of 20 on a cardio day. That will help get your form down.

DOMS · 02-01-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doublebase

Try them with the bar first. Do sets of 20 on a cardio day. That will help get your form down.

That's how I started. And it took about a dozen workouts before I could go deep.

**P-funk** · 02-01-2008, 08:42 PM

depending on how your form looked, he might be correct in saying that it may not be a good exercise for you.

judging by the explaination he gave to you though....it sounds like he a retard who is high up on his physcial therapy degree.

Big G · 02-01-2008, 09:01 PM

Thanks all.

You guys are the best!

Malley · 02-02-2008, 01:12 PM

I dont know about you guys, but if the weight is heavy enough I tend to wobble on everything. I would have to say if your form is good, your fine. I hate physical therapists, half of them dont know shit.

**P-funk** · 02-02-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

I dont know about you guys, but if the weight is heavy enough I tend to wobble on everything. I would have to say if your form is good, your fine. I hate physical therapists, half of them dont know shit.

the same could be said about trainers.

there are bad people in every field. there are some really great physical therapists out there.

Malley · 02-02-2008, 01:19 PM

Oh wow dont I know it. I was watching one of my co-workers have a lady do a bent over row off 1-foot with the largest arch in her back I have ever seen! I was think WTF!!! I immediatly went over and corrected her right in front of her client. Its so ridiculous the retards who they hire for trainers!

**P-funk** · 02-02-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

Oh wow dont I know it. I was watching one of my co-workers have a lady do a bent over row off 1-foot with the largest arch in her back I have ever seen! I was think WTF!!! I immediatly went over and corrected her right in front of her client. Its so ridiculous the retards who they hire for trainers!

there is nothing to regulate it and anyone can get a certification. it is what it is and it makes the profession bad.

even if it is regulated by a governing body, there will always be people who can pass the test and still do shitty work....look at how many bad chirpractors, physical therapists and doctors there are. it is what it is.

I think training needs more regulation and the testing to become a trainer needs to be more strict. I don't think enough trainers know or understand their functional anatomy and understand origin and insertion points of muscles and how things work together.

Malley · 02-02-2008, 02:14 PM

No disagreement there. Half the people that get hired arent even certified anyways.

Triple Threat · 02-02-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

I don't think enough trainers know or understand their functional anatomy and understand origin and insertion points of muscles and how things work together.

That's certainly the case at the gym I go to. I just shake my head at some of the things these trainers have their clients do.

One guy has even gone so far as to post a flyer recommending his services. It says

Learn how to use
Free Weights
Machines
Cables (the optimum in strength training)

And I swear he thinks it's true. I've seen him work out and it's mostly all cable work with a couple of DB exercises only because there are no machines that will let him do that particular exercise.

02-01-2008, 01:10 PM	#1
Big G Gettin' Diesel. Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cols,OH. It sucks. Posts: 1,212 Photos: 1	OH Squats = Lumbar problems. Never do them, ever!!! REALLY!? OK... So I'm doing OH squats for the first time ever today. I tried it with just the bar to see how it felt and it wasn't too bad. I could feel it stretching my lower back, but it felt good. I added 2x25lb plates (i.e. 95lb total) and did a few more. On the final reps I wobbled a little bit in my torso but I figured that's just a stablizer thing and I'd toughen up as the weeks roll by (I plan to do OH squats for next 6weeks). Seconds later I have a guy standing beside me explaining that he's a physical therapist and a medical professional and what I'm doing is e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y dangerous. He explains that every time I wobble a little bit I'm putting an unreasonable amount of stress on my spine and if I continue to do OH squats at any weight I'm liable to blow-out my lower lumbar area. He goes on telling me that I should never do OH squats ever because of how dangerous they are. Is he right? I can't see it. Not with a measely 95lb. But still... what do you think?
	Goal...... DL:500lb, Sqt:400lb, Bnch:300lb Current.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb Weight: 185lb (up 25lb), bf=15%ish Age:35 Training since 11/06 journal

02-01-2008, 01:19 PM	#2
Gazhole iwillmakeyousmelltheglove Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wales, UK Posts: 6,532 Photos: 18	I think he's right that you shouldnt do them if you wobble. Take the weight down and buildup gradually. Theyre not an easy movement, and require a hell of a lot of coordination and stability. If youre not completely stable at a certain load, its retarded to keep doing them at that load. As for not doing them at all, i have no input on that. I think theyre a great movement if done properly - much like everything. Its only dangerous if you do it wrong, so make sure you DONT do it wrong.
	http://sdatrainingprograms.blogspot.com - Updated 02/12/08 "Do i not like that? No, i do not not like that, i LIKE that!"

02-01-2008, 01:23 PM	#3
DOMS Metrosexual Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In a van, down by the river... Posts: 21,725 Photos: 6	Gaz hit the nail on the head (or whatever they do in Wales). If you're form isn't spot on and stable, you need to drop the weight. OH Squat are a great exercise!
	I never lie because I don't fear anyone. You only lie when you're afraid.—John Gotti

02-01-2008, 02:37 PM	#6
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,443 Photos: 2	In conclusion with Gaz and fufu: overhead squats are not dangerous.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

02-01-2008, 08:42 PM	#9
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 30,631	depending on how your form looked, he might be correct in saying that it may not be a good exercise for you. judging by the explaination he gave to you though....it sounds like he a retard who is high up on his physcial therapy degree.
	http://pwtraining.blogspot.com/.....come and see what is on my mind! Ivonne's Blog on Health and Wellness! Looking for online training/coaching/consulting? --> Optimum Sports Performance "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

02-01-2008, 01:42 PM	#5
goob Smartass anthropologist Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Anywhere, everywhere, nowhere.... Posts: 5,994	I have given up OH squats as my shoulders hate them, they seem to put a lot of pressure on them whilr holding the bar. It's a pity, cuz they're a great movement.

02-01-2008, 04:15 PM	#7
Doublebase Lightweight, Ya Buddy! Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Philly Posts: 6,636	Try them with the bar first. Do sets of 20 on a cardio day. That will help get your form down.

02-01-2008, 09:01 PM	#10
Big G Gettin' Diesel. Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cols,OH. It sucks. Posts: 1,212 Photos: 1	Thanks all. You guys are the best!
	Goal...... DL:500lb, Sqt:400lb, Bnch:300lb Current.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb Weight: 185lb (up 25lb), bf=15%ish Age:35 Training since 11/06 journal

02-02-2008, 01:12 PM	#11
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,021	I dont know about you guys, but if the weight is heavy enough I tend to wobble on everything. I would have to say if your form is good, your fine. I hate physical therapists, half of them dont know shit.
	www.crossfit.com

02-02-2008, 01:19 PM	#13
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,021	Oh wow dont I know it. I was watching one of my co-workers have a lady do a bent over row off 1-foot with the largest arch in her back I have ever seen! I was think WTF!!! I immediatly went over and corrected her right in front of her client. Its so ridiculous the retards who they hire for trainers!
	www.crossfit.com

02-02-2008, 02:14 PM	#15
Malley Senior Member Elite Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,021	No disagreement there. Half the people that get hired arent even certified anyways.

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