Front Squats.. Help

[Xtreme2001]

I just started adding front squats into my leg routine, but I'm having one problem.

How do you keep the bar levels on your shoulders/chest?
Whenever I tend to go heavier for my working sets, I can't hold onto the bar because the role down my shoulders and it's a bitch trying to pry the bar back up higher.

I have a spotter all the time, holding the bar close to my neck so I it doesn't role down, but it tends to do it either way.

Any idea how to balance it so It won't do this?

As well, Do you REALLY feel it when you finish a set? I did it the other day and I feel it working a different part of my leg, but there was no burning sensation like I would get from regular squats.

Thanks for any info!

 

[teen1216]

Well, if you're using the crossover grip try using a clean grip. Yes, I do feel it working.

 

[zackdarnell]

What type of grip do you use?

 

[spatts]

I do front squats as ATF Zercher squats. I either hold them in the crook of my arms, with hands held together, or in a clean position. A heavy clean can bother my wrists, though. So for any front squats over 225ish, I do zercher squats.

 

[Xtreme2001]

I use a cross over grip..
What's a 'clean grip'?

 

[spatts]

http://strengthtraining.asimba.com/video/small/power_clean_front_squat.avi

 

[coolcolj]

your probably leaning to far forward, use a wide stance to fix that.

also keep your elbows high, jam the bar against your throat, push the elbows inwards to put your front delst up to form a shelf. This is with a clean grip. if you can't do this, just put some wrist starps around the bar and hold onto these when the bar is on your front delts

I would not recommend a cross grip, as the bar can slide off in nasty way to land on your thighs!