Question about front squats...

[bigsahm21]

Are you supposed to REALLY feel them in your lower back?

When I do them (usually 6-8 rep range), I definetely feel them a LOT in my lower back...not in the sense that it's painful, but more like they're just really working those muscles to stabilize the weight being in front of me rather than behind me. So is this natural?

I ask because I've had hip mobility problems in the past, and I wonder if this ins contributing to excessive forward lean during my squats. Is this high-lower back involvement ok, or should I switch to pressing movement that doesn't involve my lower back and work on those hips again??

 

[MeatheadSam]

If done with proper from front squats produce less spinal compression.

Check your form, drop ther weight if need be. If you are leaning forward at all on fronts you are going too heavy IMO.

 

[gtbmed]

If you've had hip mobility problems in the past, you should check your form, probably drop some of the weight.

If your hips aren't moving, your back could be, and you don't want that. P funk has some good exercises for hip mobility/squatting form posted on his blog.

I would try to check the form, possiibly drop the weight, and do some exercises to try and correct your form and increase your hip flexibility.

 

[TitanUnleashed]

Yep agree with gtbmed. Drop the weight and find the proper form first. You might wanna try planting your feet further forward so that you wouldn't be leaning forward too much.

 

[MeatheadSam]

?????????

I'm guessing you assume he is using a smith machine right?

 

[danzik17]

Even on a smith machine that would be a terrible idea. Moving your feet forward is an excellent way to shift all of the pressure off of your legs right onto your lower back. Gravity doesn't go diagonally.

 

[Built]

Oh wow. Smith front-squats. That has "why the hell bother" written all over it!

To the OP, what grip do you use, and do you have any pre-existing back problems? Because I do have a lower back problem, and I don't feel it at all when I do fronts.