Squat Pad, or Towel? What are the effects?

[ThePolishHammer]

Any reasons why you should or shouldnt use these?

 

[bignate73]

it changes where the bar sits in relation to your upper body, basically shifts the length of the "lever" arm in the movement. its like doing bicep curls one way all your life and then waking up one morning and your forearms are 2 inches longer. the same weight is going to be heavier. the problem being is that its not your biceps affected, but your lower back. (in this case) the bar being moved forward and up also shifts your center of gravity, this extra offbalancing can really throw your squat out of whack.

the pad can also tend to set the bar up higher than you are accustomed to (and if too thick) can really push on your cervical spine. the bar should sit below C7 but if you have a fat pillow on your neck keeping you from looking up or even straight ahead....its not too comfortable.

also remember your chest will tend to follow where your eyes point, so if the nasty pad is pushing your head down or even straight ahead, your chest will point in that direction as well.

can you tell i dont like pads?

a small towel might alleviate some of the pressure of the bar on your upper back without throwing off your squat. but then again....a couple extra sets of shrugs will add some pad as well. hehehehe.

hope that helps.

 

[spatts]

I'm with you nate. I think the rear delts make EXCELLENT pads.

 

[Tarheel]

I dont use a pad, shifts the C of G.

 

[spatts]

It sure does, tarheel, and in my humble opinion (if I'm capable of one) that's dangerous.

 

[Hannibal]

I'm with you nate. I think the rear delts make EXCELLENT pads.

Seated Power Cleans to build your squat pad...

 

[spatts]

...and hang snatches.

 

[needsize]

Nate and Spatts have it right on. The biggest problem I see is that it raises your centre of gravity higher, which makes it much tougher to not tip forward while squatting. You will get used to it. When I first started sqatting 135lbs hurt my shoulders, I squat about 300 more lbs for reps now and dont feel a thing

 

[makedah]

I never use the pad. I found that it made the bar too slippery when I was starting out. I've been doing more upper body work (as suggested here) to build my own pads, as well.

 

[he-man]

never used - love to feel the weight. bring the pain