Question about setting bars in rack...

[BlkWS6]

Do you guys/gals think it is ok to set the bars in the squat rack to the level of depth you want to go? I sometimes have trouble determining if Im going parallel or to the right depth in certain exercises, and if the bars are placed at that level and you bring the weight down to the bars you will essentially hit the depth you are looking for everytime. For instance I set them up the other day for my good mornings at a height in which if I touched the bars, my body upper body was parallel to the floor. As long as I dont rest on the bars or bounch off them, do you see any problems in doing this? It just seems like sure way to hit a desired range of motion without having someone watch over you every time.

 

[CrimsonKing]

Why don't you just use a box for squats?

 

[BlkWS6]

As bad as it may sound, our facility doesnt have a box. (school gym) Closet thing I can use for a low box would be a dumbbell, and well it takes a small ass to comfortable sit on a dumbbell turned upside down. Ive tried benches before, but they are a tad bit too high. I normally squat ATF, so I have never worried about parallel, but Im changing things up a little as of recently.

 

[JOKER47]

Do you have access to a bench that declines? You could use that for box squats. Just set the bench inside the cage and figure out where your feet need to be so that when you sit back, you are at the desired level.

When I do box squats, that is exactly what I do.


.02,
Joker

 

[supersizeme]

back to the guy's question since i don't think he's looking for the answer of "do box squats," yeah put the rails at the a point just below the bottom point of your descent. i do the exact same thing if the squat rack is taken and i have to squat in the power rack. like you said, it helps me gauge how far down to go. i have gotten buried under 275 before, and those bars being where they were saved me from having a big problem on my hands.

 

[Tarheel]

Do you workout with a partner? He can help tell you if you're going parallel.

 

[louden_swain]

Do you guys/gals think it is ok to set the bars in the squat rack to the level of depth you want to go? I sometimes have trouble determining if Im going parallel or to the right depth in certain exercises, and if the bars are placed at that level and you bring the weight down to the bars you will essentially hit the depth you are looking for everytime. For instance I set them up the other day for my good mornings at a height in which if I touched the bars, my body upper body was parallel to the floor. As long as I dont rest on the bars or bounch off them, do you see any problems in doing this? It just seems like sure way to hit a desired range of motion without having someone watch over you every time.

This sounds good. You are training safe, which is smary. To tell you the truth, this is how I perform squats. It is better to be safe than sorry. I have seen a few guys get buried and it wasn't a pretty sight.

 

[BlkWS6]

Great, thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[circusgirl]

I use a stack of the light plastic DL weights for a box. What I mean is, the regular 2kg and 5kg weights are not suitable for those who want to do OL or DL with just the bar and a few kg as smaller weights (under 10kg each side) on the bar changes the position of the bar on the ghround. So we have a special set in our gym of 2kg and 5kg weights for that eventuality that are the same size as the larger Eleiko plates.

I pile up 3 of these and use them as a box. Most folks in the gym don't use the plastic weights anyway as the OL folks usually have at least 20kg extra racked up on the bar and don't need these.

I use a mirror and turn sideways to practice my form with just the bar before doing any squats to make sure I've got the "box" back far enough.