Front Squats vs Squats- Is There REALLY A Difference???

[Texas Ranger]

Guys, I'm thinking of replacing Squats for Front Squats as the core exercise for my quads. I've read that they focus more on the quads than regular Squats. I know I won't be able to use as much weight as the Squat, but that should come up with time. Besides that, are their any REAL difference between Front Squats & Squats???

 

[mrplunkey]

Yes... and IMO you should mix and match the lifts. They both have a place in weight training.

 

[Growth&Courage]

To be honest with you I have never done front squats before despite people telling me how effective it is to train them.

 

[KillahBee]

I have never done front squats, but did incorporate Zercher Squats into my routine a while ago (in addition to regular squats). It was amazing at how much the Zercher's told the story of where my core strength was at. I love em and am looking forward to reintroducing them into my next routine.

 

[mrplunkey]

Do a front squat where you extend your arms completely outward (straight out in front of you) and let the weight rest on across the ridge it creates across your front delts. If you dip or try to cheat and use your back for a second, that weight will roll right off your shoulders and onto the floor. You learn to appreciate the purity of a front squat quickly!

 

[b fold the truth]

If I was wanting to squat and put a lot of emphasis on my quads...I'd do hack squats over front squats.

B True

 

[wnt2bBeast]

Guys, I'm thinking of replacing Squats for Front Squats as the core exercise for my quads. I've read that they focus more on the quads than regular Squats. I know I won't be able to use as much weight as the Squat, but that should come up with time. Besides that, are their any REAL difference between Front Squats & Squats???

why do you feel the need for this to be absolute..
i thnk front squats are a great exercise and theres nothing wrong with doing these as a main move for a bit..but dont feel the need to eliminate reg back squats from a routine..

I also agree with B-fold..i dont care much about size since im a WSB squatter..but if i wanted to build my quads deep hacks are a very good move..

include all these in your arsenal and get good at them all and youl find youlll grow some decent quads..

another great move close stance pause squats..ive been doing these the last 2 weeks as accessory work for my dead lemme tell you my quads are on fire

 

[Texas Ranger]

why do you feel the need for this to be absolute..
i thnk front squats are a great exercise and theres nothing wrong with doing these as a main move for a bit..but dont feel the need to eliminate reg back squats from a routine..

I also agree with B-fold..i dont care much about size since im a WSB squatter..but if i wanted to build my quads deep hacks are a very good move..

include all these in your arsenal and get good at them all and youl find youlll grow some decent quads..

another great move close stance pause squats..ive been doing these the last 2 weeks as accessory work for my dead lemme tell you my quads are on fire

Beast, thanks for your input! I wish I could try Hacks, but I work out at home. Squats, Front Squats, Lunges & Leg Extensions are my only options for quads. But, these are all AWESOME for quad development!

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

Actually Texas Ranger, I think they are talking about hack squats with a barbell held behind you. Like when you do barbell shrugs behind the back. George Hackenschmit came up with this exercise in the early 1900's I believe.

But if they're talking about machine hack squats, then

 

[Madcow2]

For what it's worth, there's a pretty big difference. Try it once and you'll see. Both have their uses and are very effective. That said, even olympic lifters who stand to benefit the most from the front squat still back squat regularly for good reason - it works really well.

 

[needsize]

you most likely will never build the same quad size with front squats as you will with regular ones, the difference in working weight is far too great

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

good post needsize. If you take out full squats, you wont build the same leg size. Mix it up a little-

front squat 5x5
back Squat 3x8-10
Lunge 3X10
SLDLs 3x10
Calves 3x10

& take out leg exts- they can really mess up your knees.

 

[Texas Ranger]

good post needsize. If you take out full squats, you wont build the same leg size. Mix it up a little-

front squat 5x5
back Squat 3x8-10
Lunge 3X10
SLDLs 3x10
Calves 3x10

& take out leg exts- they can really mess up your knees.

You're right about Leg Extensions. I spoke to several physical therapists and they said this BY FAR is the worst exercise for the knees. Ok, you guys convinced me I'll keep the Squats in. I'll rotate them with Front Squats something like this. Squats for 3-4 weeks and Fronts for 2 weeks.

 

[Xenith]

What I have found after a few weeks of experimenting is as follows:

Back squats are my favorite core exercise. Front squats are good to end off with. The reason (for me at least) is that I cannot go as heavy as if I was doing front squat first, which is good because it tends to hurt my shoulders. I tried them first today and found that my shoulders gave in before the quads. However I recently discovered Zercher Squats. I find these to be as, if not more effective than front squats, but without the problem of hurting/failing shoulders.

 

[KillahBee]

What I have found after a few weeks of experimenting is as follows:

Back squats are my favorite core exercise. Front squats are good to end off with. The reason (for me at least) is that I cannot go as heavy as if I was doing front squat first, which is good because it tends to hurt my shoulders. I tried them first today and found that my shoulders gave in before the quads. However I recently discovered Zercher Squats. I find these to be as, if not more effective than front squats, but without the problem of hurting/failing shoulders.

didn't I mention Zercher's in this thread? (j/k bro). I love Zercher's. They are easier on the shoulders and I think they are more effective for core strength. And it's nice to test your threshhold for pain when that bar is ripping your arms to shreds