Squats and wrist pains =(

[wildonsquats]

Well after reading Spatts' post on her problems with her squat, i decided to try to vary bar placement. Normally i do a highbar squat (bar resting right on the traps), in which case i notice that my core strength is heavily recruited as i attempt to step out and go for my first rep. But today i lowered the bar to my rear delts and voila, core was stable (didnt have to really put much effort in staying totally upright / sitting back) and it felt real real good. But the pain in my wrists was so intense that i had to stop after my 4th rep (which i know i could of got 8 easily). Is there anything i can do for wrist flexibility / hand placement / bar placement? I know i can handle more weight on the bar when i have it lower on my rear delts.

It's just frustrating that i see my leg press / hack squat numbers go through the roof every week and yet my squat numbers still struggle.

I guess i should stop putting off doing more core strength exercises.

 

[Nicolas]

When I would do squats the way you are doing them I had better luck with a wide grip. I also used wrist wraps to keep my wrists from hurting.

 

[spatts]

wildonsquats, I had the same problem when I was playing with it. All I needed to do was rotate my hand! lol. Our J-hooks are in such a place that when I unrack my hand has to be over the top of the bar. When I get it on my back though, I am able to eliminate the wrist discomfort, and pull down on the bar, by simply rotating my hand back so my palms are on the back of the bar rather than the top, and I pull down with my fingers.

I also use a really wide grip.

Play with it and see what happens.

 

[pwr_machine]

Is there anything i can do for wrist flexibility / hand placement / bar placement?

Trial and error is often best to find out what works with you. Spend a few weeks practicing new hand and bar placements. I'd often warm-up my wrists and shoulders prior to squatting by doing behind the neck presses with just the bar. Also, as stated earlier, wrist wraps take away alot of the pain.

 

[BodybuildingUniverse]

wide grip helped me too.

 

[ffknight84]

i have to agree with the wideer grip statements, just "play with it" =)

 

[spatts]

I grip at the plates.