what does a wide grip of the bar do during squats?

[JDid23]

why do people grip the bar really wide during squats sometimes? Does it by any chance do a better job of activating your lats as a stabilizer muscle? that's what i get out of it because when your arms are that stretched out, it seems like your lats would be getting stretched.

Just wondering- thanks

 

[grubd]

I grip wide because it is more comfortable than trying to bring my hands tighter together. This would be interesting to here what benefits/best way is to grip bar.

 

[ExtraMile]

I think mainly the people who do it are big PLers who dont have very good shoulder flexibility. If you take a look at small flexibile olympic squatters they all squat with their hands in way close

I may be wrong though...

 

[joe d]

i grip wide. when you get into the nitty gritty its probably a little better to have a closer grip for better activation of the upper body.

 

[cjangelo]

Grip narrow if you can. It creates a better shelf for the bar. Also, It makes your upper back tighter, which means you're better able to keep your chest up, thus making you more stable during squatting. More stable=stronger=more stimulus to your legs.

If you're joe d's size, you can grip the bar any fucking way you want. Seriously, look at that guy's back. Ridiculous.

 

[JDid23]

what do you consider to be close? I grip the bar somewhat wide (around a standard regular bench press around the rings).. would it be easier to keep a better back if i gripped closer?

 

[grubd]

what do you consider to be close? I grip the bar somewhat wide (around a standard regular bench press around the rings).. would it be easier to keep a better back if i gripped closer?

I think that would be a close grip. A wide grip is a hand or 2 outside those rings some use to line up for bench.

 

[Dial_tone]

i think mainly the people who do it are big plers who dont have very good shoulder flexibility. If you take a look at small flexibile olympic squatters they all squat with their hands in way close

i may be wrong though...

titcr

 

[future]

Its easier for me to have the bar personally. I can tip my elbows easier to keep the bar set.

 

[ExtraMile]

titcr

what does this mean?