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

[Dial_tone]

what does this mean?

Urban Dictionary: titcr

 

[bblazer]

I actually sort of "cup" the collars with my hands until I get to ~495. Then I bring my hands in to just outside the power rings.

I would live to tell you why I do that, but I honestly have no idea.

B-

 

[b fold the truth]

A wider grip takes a deal of the stress off of the biceps and shoulders. The heavier I go...the closer I bring my grip. I try to go as close as possible on my heavy sets. The closer grip keeps the lats tucked, chest up, back and torso tighter, and you should be moving more weight easier.

Remember that "close" for me is probably a lot different than "close" for most people. Getting my hands TO the power rings on a bar is near impossible unless I've done LOTS of stretching and I squat HIGH BAR. I normally squat with an 8' long bar which is great when you have extreme arthritis in your shoulders.

 

[iron asylum]

comfort and stability for me.

 

[NJL52]

When your muscle is loose the weight is resting on your spine. When your grip is tight the weight is resting on your muscle.

 

[SwitchMan]

tight would be better........it's all about the yoke son

The biggest reason for not going as tight as possible would be shoulder flexibility

 

[moya]

i feel much more stable when i grip close on heavy squats...

 

[rrluthi]

I agree, close grip prevents bruising, and stabilizes the bar. Getting those lats tight seems to bring everything together and forces your chest out where it should be.

 

[glennds]

does it even matter ? your training your legs. best grip would be what feels comfortable.

 

[Academy780]

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

It's about comfort and not lat development. The more comfortable you are, the more you can concentrate on form, technique and power.