Supporting barbell during squats

[kanun]

When I do squats, I rest the barbell behind my neck, somewhere in between my traps and my shoulders (is there any other way?).
Thing is, the weight of the bar often hurts my traps when I rest it on the back of my neck, and prevents me from going heavier, even though I'd be able to squat a lot more.
Am I doing something wrong? Or is it just of those things? Should I look into getting a bar pad?
Also, I'm a bit unsure about mounting/dismounting the bar from the the floor to behind my neck. Like I said above, because of this I end up using a lower weight than I'd be able to squat, simply because I wouldn't be able to get it back over my head safely.
Any suggestions/tips would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Scotty the Body]

You will get use to the weight, I wrap a towel around the bar so it doesn't leave marks but it takes time to get use to it.
If the bar feels like its pushing against your neck, you need to adjust it so it sits on your traps and you also may be leaning to far forward.

As far as getting the weight off the floor to your back, you really need to thing about getting a cheap squat rack, there is no easy way of doing it otherwise.

 

[Arnold]

you could try going a bit lower on your back with the bar, and there is nothing wrong with using a bar pad, just don't get one that is too thick.

At home I use 1" pipe insulation (it's for 1" copper pipes, it's not 1" thick) from Home Depot for my bar pad.

It's a pretty thin pad, and very cheap in price!

 

[Max. Q]

Originally posted by Prince
there is nothing wrong with using a bar pad, just don't get one that is too thick.

..just curious as to why not too thick, is it a bar balancing issue?

I use a pad that's 3/4" thick.

 

[Arnold]

Originally posted by Max. Q
..just curious as to why not too thick, is it a bar balancing issue?

I use a pad that's 3/4" thick.

it's difficult to feel the bar, and yes it can be harder to balance, and it just becomes another crutch.