Did Zercher squats for the first time

[Mike_Rojas]

I really like them. I'm going to keep them in my routine from now on. I really feel them in my abs!

They are actually easier on me than front squats - those tend to choke me.

 

[JollyRogers]

good to see ya back on the boards Mike, good man for trying some new excercises out.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

good to see ya back on the boards Mike, good man for trying some new excercises out.

Thanks JollyRogers. I've been "lurking" around on the board... Just not posting that much.

 

[Serea]

Front squats choke me too. What exactly are Zercher squats?

 

[Mike_Rojas]

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Made a video

Can you critique:

http://65.61.22.132/misc/zercher.wmv

Should I set the pins lower? Thanks.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I would exxagerate your arch throughout the entire movement though.

The pin setting appears to be parallel.

Get those shins perpendicular to the ground

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Thanks PH77. I don't seem able to arch very well doing the zerchers - I think I read somewhere you're supposed to do it with a round back?

 

[revexrevex]

Yes, I read that you can round your back on zerchers. Nice job mike, that looks good, all you have to do is add more weight now

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Mike

I like to keep my arch them as a personal preference. Sorry but I should have noted that above. Carry on.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

all you have to do is add more weight now

Ok rev, I'll work up to 3 plates next time

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Take another vid but from the side if you can.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Take another vid but from the side if you can.

I took one from the side when I had the pins low:

http://65.61.22.132/misc/zercher4.wmv

My back looks very rounded there.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Mike

I like to keep my arch them as a personal preference. Sorry but I should have noted that above. Carry on.

Thanks

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Yeah, it's like a box squat.

 

[spatts]

I've never started at the bottom before. Is it harder?

 

[Zander1983]

Starting from the bottom makes it much easier to get the bar in the right spot.

 

[Mike_Rojas]

It's definitely painful... that's a good thing, right? I was surprised how much I felt them in my abs.

 

[spatts]

Hm...more torture.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

 

[JOKER47]

Ok rev, I'll work up to 3 plates next time

Go for it.......

I've never started at the bottom before. Is it harder?

I do them both from the bottom position, and from the top. From the bottom helps with simulating the stones.

I don't find one way easier than the other, but starting from the bottom was more "functional" for me. (Until I get a set of stones, that is.)


.02,
Joker

 

[IronLion]

I always do them from the pins, so i start well below parallel, that means if i can get it to move i can rep it....lol

Mike I personally belive that wether you round your back or keep it arched is up to you BUT I always try to lock it in and keep the same angle through the entire set. In your video you seem to rock back and forth too much....jmo

 

[Mike_Rojas]

Thanks IronLion, I'll work on that