back squats vs front squats?

[mlsnet43]

Is there any difference between front and back squats? How will either help you differently?

Do the back squats work your back more...or what?

 

[silver_shadow]

yes, back squats put more pressure on the spine while front squats work the quads more. thus, to improve your back squats, you'd have to strengthen your back and abs. with front squats the tricky part is holding the bar without it rolling into your neck and blacking you out

 

[mlsnet43]

Well...I want stronger quads... what should I do..lol

 

[blut wump]

Also with front squats you need to add something to work your posterior chain.

Many say that front squats and Zercher squats require more work from your core than back squats. I've often found than front squats combined with good mornings makes a fine combination.

 

[mlsnet43]

What if I did front squats and pull-ups?

 

[silver_shadow]

not sure why you want to do pullups for lats/bi's. but like blut said, front squats with good mornings is a good combo. some may suggest SLDLs in place of the GMs but i personally prefer the latter.

 

[blut wump]

Just do back squats as deep as you can go. Go down until your hamstrings make solid contact with you calves and then come back. Use a medium to narrow stance and keep your back reasonably upright. You get a good balance through your quads and posterior chain and your quads will get a lot of work.

I strongly recommend this approach. Squat at least twice a week. Don't go to failure and aim to keep adding weight to the bar. What does your current training look like?

 

[BiggT]

If you do an olympic back squat (bar placed high, narrow-moderate stance, ass to the floor) you'll get a lot of quad work plus the posterior chain.

I don't think very wide stance squats and box squats are a particularly good movement for functional quad strength, and (this is just my opinion) the ultra-wide stance glorified good morning, also known as the modern day PL-Squat is very taxing to the posterior chain, but does nothing for the quads and the only thing it has carry-over to is being a good ultra wide squatter.

I think your original question is confusion about the terms 'back' and 'front' squat.....stop thinking bodyparts, it is all about movments. Back and front just refers to bar placement during the lift....racked across the front or on the traps.

Everyone was pretty much dead on about what lift stresses what.

 

[BiggT]

Just do back squats as deep as you can go. Go down until your hamstrings make solid contact with you calves and then come back. Use a medium to narrow stance and keep your back reasonably upright. You get a good balance through your quads and posterior chain and your quads will get a lot of work.

I strongly recommend this approach. Squat at least twice a week. Don't go to failure and aim to keep adding weight to the bar. What does your current training look like?

You must have been posting as I was because I missed this, lol....but this is the best advice you've gotten in this whole thread, mlsnet, I'd follow it if I were in your shoes.

 

[mlsnet43]

Alright. It's hard for me to squat though. I fall backwards..lmao

 

[silver_shadow]

Alright. It's hard for me to squat though. I fall backwards..lmao

need some vids to help fine tune the form

 

[blut wump]

Alright. It's hard for me to squat though. I fall backwards..lmao

I was beginning to suspect this might be the case. Unless you are aware of any injury or disability, you simply lack flexibility.

View it as a problem to be solved rather than something to avoid. If you can't get down without toppling then work up to it. Start with just bodyweight squats. If that's initially too hard then hold onto a door frame or table leg until you get the hang of it. Next try with just the bar. Once you get stable there then start to work up. The weights will climb rapidly and before you know it, you'll be a real squatter and getting development you've probably only seen in magazines. Good luck.

 

[mlsnet43]

I think I just have to get used to it, like you and somebody else told me. I assure you, I am very flexible I set records in me school lol. I also play soccer, and sports..but I'm pretty sure I'll have it down

Thanks, and tonight I will post vids in my journal of my squats.

 

[blut wump]

It's probably your hamstrings. They're easy to neglect in normal life.

 

[Protobuilder]

I too struggled for quite awhile trying to get the back squat down. It was a lot of trial and error and I would fall over as well, so no shame in admitting that. LoL It'll take some time to really find your groove, but it's worth it.

 

[makeingains]

ya this all sounds good but, I am 46 and I know I want be bouncing my ass off the floor. So front, back and good mornings sounds good to me.

 

[al420]

Congrats to anyone in their 40's learing to Squat. My Dad is almost 60 and I am trying to get him to squat - he ain't hearing it.

I can speak from experience that your squat depth can improve quickly - actually a little easier w/ heavier weights. Coming back up can be the hard part !!!

 

[BiggT]

I find guys in the 40-60 age range, once they get over the myth that they're 'too old to begin heavy training' have the best work ethic.....they grew up in an era where men were men, and not hair highlighted pussies, so they have the work ethic to squat, pull, and press and not gravitate to the Smith machine and the Universal.

 

[blut wump]

 

[perp69]

Congrats to anyone in their 40's learing to Squat. My Dad is almost 60 and I am trying to get him to squat - he ain't hearing it.

I can speak from experience that your squat depth can improve quickly - actually a little easier w/ heavier weights. Coming back up can be the hard part !!!

That's the truth. Its not the going down its the coming back up that is the challenge.

Perp