Question regarding squats.

[reg56]

I was just wondering if anyone uses a neck pad when they squat. I have been using one, but I decided to try it without one this morning because I've seen many pictures and videos of bodybuilders not using one. I didn't really notice any difference except that it was a little harder to get the bar off the rack. Is there any reason why I should or should not be using the pad when I squat?

Also, should I use my arms at all to complete the squat? I tried that this morning too, but I felt like I was cheating by taking some of the weight off my legs.

 

[ihateschoolmt]

You can't take weight off your legs during a squat by lifting with your arms.

 

[King Silverback]

I was just wondering if anyone uses a neck pad when they squat. Is there any reason why I should or should not be using the pad when I squat? should I use my arms at all to complete the squat? I tried that this morning too, but I felt like I was cheating by taking some of the weight off my legs.

I use a neck pad, looking into the Manta ray. It's a comfort thing in my eyes. You definately do not NEED it. And as far as using arms to take the weight off

 

[ihateschoolmt]

But how can you use arms to take weight off, if your pushing up on it, it still weights the same and is over the legs.

 

[King Silverback]

But how can you use arms to take weight off, if your pushing up on it, it still weights the same and is over the legs.

In a sense, your are right. However it still doesn't place all the focus on what you do squats for, mainly LEGS!!!

 

[BruiseKnee]

your legs still carry the weight of your body from the waist up

 

[fUnc17]

i use a neck pad, i hurt my shoulder when i wasnt using one

 

[sgtneo]

i use my arms to take alot of the weight of my back then just do a squat as normal other wise resting the entire weight on back can be painfull and awkward

Neo

 

[ChrisROCK]

weird...i cant imagaine using my arms in that position to lift the weight off my back...furthermore, that can't help with proper form while squating.

I use a pad all the time....for comfort.

 

[Pylon]

I am a pad guy too for comfort. If I've got that much wieght on the back of my neck, I don't feel bad using a cushion.

You technically can reduce the weight off your legs using your arms, though I agree with Rock, I can't imagine lifting with my arms in that position. Maybe if you do light squats and have a good mil press strength.

The way the weight is reduced is physics. An object in freefall has no weight. So, if you are pressing up with your arms, then letting it come back down as you press with your legs, it would reduce the resistance by inducing a state of limited freefall. I have a friend who would use this trick wrestling in high school to make weight. If he stood on his head for a few minutes (getting all the blood to run to his head), when he stood up and got on the scale, he was a pound or two lighter. The blood was in a limited freefall state, so had little or no weight at that point.

Ain't science fun?

 

[min0 lee]

Hell no! I am tough as nails.
The only time I use a pad is when it's that time of the month.

 

[Musclebeach]

I dont use a sissy pad... haha.

Archangel ~ several people use the Manta at my HS, I have never tried it but everyone seems to like how it spreads the weight more.

I rarely use a belt on squats, anyone else not use one?

-Jeff.

 

[AnabolicFreak04]

I dont use a sissy pad... haha.

Archangel ~ several people use the Manta at my HS, I have never tried it but everyone seems to like how it spreads the weight more.

I rarely use a belt on squats, anyone else not use one?

-Jeff.

I don't use a belt.

 

[ChrisROCK]

I dont use a sissy pad... haha.

Archangel ~ several people use the Manta at my HS, I have never tried it but everyone seems to like how it spreads the weight more.

I rarely use a belt on squats, anyone else not use one?

-Jeff.

I may use a "sissy pad" to save the blood vessels on my neck...but I don't use a belt...

 

[DeadBolt]

I like the way JD put it a few weeks ago....I don't use no pussy pad!!

I don't like them...very uncomfortable! I prefere to have the weight right on my traps.

As for pushing off....its does help. Last time I squated I decided to try it and it worked for me. If you keep your hands in close as you are climbing up just throw some force into your arms and push up like a very narrow MP. I had no problem keeping my form doing this.

 

[Musclebeach]

I may use a "sissy pad" to save the blood vessels on my neck

~chrisROCK, try putting the bar further down your back, more on your traps, you shouldn't put it on your neck.

-Jeff.

 

[DeadBolt]

~chrisROCK, try putting the bar further down your back, more on your traps, you shouldn't put it on your neck.

-Jeff.

Agreed...I tense my traps and put the bar at the bottom of my traps and top of my posterior delts. Right where that dip is...thats where the bar stays and I never have to struggle with it.

 

[ChrisROCK]

~chrisROCK, try putting the bar further down your back, more on your traps, you shouldn't put it on your neck.

-Jeff.

Thanks for the recommendation...but i actually don't put it that high up on my neck... I do rest it on my traps...it's still just more comfortable to me to use the pad...

 

[Luke9583]

I use a manta ray for anything over 135. I recent squatted 14 reps of 315. There's no way i'd have the confidence to go for that with out one

 

[musclepump]

I use a pad; not the form fitting, plastic type one, but the roll pad type. My training partner and I call it the "pussy pad" but I am comfortable squatting a lot more with it than without it. When I'm doing heavier stuff in the 4 and 500 ranges, it hurts my traps/neck with no pad.

 

[min0 lee]

My training partner and I call it the "pussy pad" but I am comfortable squatting a lot more with it than without it.

I also use the same pad.

 

[musclepump]

Uh huh. That's the one.

 

[min0 lee]

Uh huh. That's the one.

 

[Luke9583]

As far as i'm concerned, i'd rather look like a pussy than fuck myself up

 

[ChrisROCK]

As far as i'm concerned, i'd rather look like a pussy than fuck myself up

The truth is...I couldn't care less about what someone might think of me b/c I use a pad when I squat. I'll tell ya though...I look like less of a pussy than the meathead who has 5 plates on each side of the bar and his "squat" is going about 10 inches above parrallel...lol... I saw this the other night, it was humor. The bulk of the work he was doing was actually getting the bar off the squat rack...

 

[DeadBolt]

The truth is...I couldn't care less about what someone might think of me b/c I use a pad when I squat. I'll tell ya though...I look like less of a pussy than the meathead who has 5 plates on each side of the bar and his "squat" is going about 10 inches above parrallel...lol... I saw this the other night, it was humor. The bulk of the work he was doing was actually getting the bar off the squat rack...

I hate seeing that!

I really could care less what people think of me when I'm working out. I don't use a pad b/c they move around to much...I like to feel the bar on my traps and delts. We don't have a manta ray so thats out of the question. I probably still wouldn't use it though lol.

 

[musclepump]

You know, I want to read what ChrisROCK posts, but I can't ever seem to do it... his signature just takes me over and, next thing I know, I'm onto the next post before the wife walks in, all without reading a word. Sorry, CR. It isn't intentional.

 

[j rizz]

i squat with the bar placed on the top of my head... that way.. i dont have to use a pad or worry about hurting my neck or shoulders.

 

[ChrisROCK]

You know, I want to read what ChrisROCK posts, but I can't ever seem to do it... his signature just takes me over and, next thing I know, I'm onto the next post before the wife walks in, all without reading a word. Sorry, CR. It isn't intentional.

sorry MP...maybe i should remove it?

 

[BritChick]

I don't like the pad it messes me up positioning the bar, when it's just the bar I can tell I have it in the right place.