Thread: Squatting and shoulders

Originally Posted by ecwholic

Is it considered cheating if when I am doing squats, on the way back up, I use my hands and kinda push the weight up, essentially using my shoulders a little bit?

It's a full body workout, when I go really heavy I also utilize my nose hairs.....now if your lifting it off your shoulders...then you might be going too light.

Originally Posted by ecwholic

Is it considered cheating if when I am doing squats, on the way back up, I use my hands and kinda push the weight up, essentially using my shoulders a little bit?

I don't see the point, however if the weight is on your back or in your hands your legs are still holding it up so its not "cheating", just bad form I guess.

lol...its not like youre pushing it up and racking it in mid squat. Its still being pushed up by your legs. You could twirl it like a baton if yout wanted.

Now I agree with prince. I would put it in the bad form category. Why do you feel the need to do this? Do you have it high enough on your traps?

Originally Posted by Merkaba

lol...its not like youre pushing it up and racking it in mid squat. Its still being pushed up by your legs. You could twirl it like a baton if yout wanted.

Now I agree with prince. I would put it in the bad form category. Why do you feel the need to do this? Do you have it high enough on your traps?

If he can feel it lifting off his back than either he is one strong mofo or he isn't using enough weight for his legs.

It's sounds like he can push it up and rack it.

Originally Posted by min0 lee

If he can feel it lifting off his back than either he is one strong mofo or he isn't using enough weight for his legs.

It's sounds like he can push it up and rack it.

I thought about that...I mean dam...thats just silly if this is the case. I'd have to tell him to start pulling down a little.

squeeze the bar hard in your hands and pull it down against your back. this will help to increase neural drive.

Originally Posted by Merkaba

lol...its not like youre pushing it up and racking it in mid squat. Its still being pushed up by your legs. You could twirl it like a baton if yout wanted.

Now I agree with prince. I would put it in the bad form category. Why do you feel the need to do this? Do you have it high enough on your traps?

I should reiterate, when I meant pushing back up, I meant using a pushing force from my hands on the way back up. I did it when I was squeezing out a last rep.

squeeze the bar hard in your hands and pull it down against your back. this will help to increase neural drive.

I always do this. Does "increase neural drive" mean "psyche myself up"? lol - Because that's why I believe I do it.

Originally Posted by ecwholic

Is it considered cheating if when I am doing squats, on the way back up, I use my hands and kinda push the weight up, essentially using my shoulders a little bit?

No- There's nothing wrong with this.

Well here is an edit

Depending on the weight, assuming your using a heavy enough weight where you cant actually hold up the weight, if you catch what im saying, then all your doing is holding the bar for support.

I believe squats when even using moderate weight you shouldnt be able to "hold the bar up" while coming out of the whole, squats are meant to work your legs not arms, give them a enough weight to warrant stimulation.

I was coached by a Powerlifter in the gym when doing doubles one day. My elbows kept coming way back when i was coming up. He came up and told me to push up on the bar and keep those elbows pointed down (it helps to keep your thoracic spine neutral as well). Its only anecdotal evidence, but those doubles felt lighter on subsequent sets and i seemed to move faster too.