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High Bar vs Low Bar

  • 05-12-2009 2:27am
    #1
    Molly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,256 ✭✭✭


    While I was at the gym this evening I decided I'd give low bar squats a go. They felt a whole lot easier than the high bar squats. I've done a bit of googling on the subject but I've become quite sceptical of what I believe when it comes to anything regarding lifting weights. So can anyone give me a simple break down of why you would choose one or the other?

    On the same note, what type squat do you perform? Why do you perform this type of squat? And finally, have you tried the other type?

    Personally I have been high bar squatting because it just felt easier to get into position that way but after messing around with the low bar squats today I'm tempted to change over.


Comments

  • #2
    podge57
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,640 ✭✭✭podge57


    The main pro of low bar is that it gives you more leverage over the bar and the bar has less leverage over you. It also engages your hips/poserior chain more. Over time thi should allow you to move more weight

    Its harder to stay upright with a low bar positon, and it will take a while to get used to it


  • #3
    d'Oracle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,025 ✭✭✭d'Oracle


    Molly wrote: »

    On the same note, what type squat do you perform? Why do you perform this type of squat? And finally, have you tried the other type?

    I did some reading into it and tried a few.

    The low bar is my choice. It allows more weight to be moved, I found, but I don't know if this can be said to be generally true.

    Its harder to hold the bar in a LB IMO but I felt more stable in a LB at the bottom. Possibly down to weaker front side. (anterior chain)

    Also I find that I really need to pinch the back a lot more for the LB, than the HB which to me says more muscles engaged.

    The more upright position of the HB reminds me of the Front Squat.
    I have read analysis saying the same. There is an arguement that the HB squat is more Transferrable than the LB (I.e. relates to more other exercises) IMO the front squat is more transferable again.

    Podges reason is more or less the one in Starting Strength, which should be a damn good reason.
    Anybody is welcome to pick me up on any of this.


  • #4
    token
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,806 ✭✭✭token


    What the two guys said before me. Low-bar engages the posterior chain and will engage more muscle mass than the high bar/front squat. I don't think it should be a case of performing just one over the other unless you have a specific reason. Powerlifters would favour low bar for added weight and Olympic lifters would favour the high bar due to needing an upright posture for cleaning/snatchin. I think anybody training for general strength or appearance should do both.

    At the moment I'm low bar squatting as I'm following SS principles and concentrating on squat/bench/dead but will be switching to HB/Front squats when I start an olympic lifting bias to my training in Janurary.


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