Making a ghetto SS bar with straps

deadlybuzzman

Both my wrists are in bad shape so using the standard grip on front squats isnt a starter and the cross arm thing is never secure enough for me to focus on squatting rather than not letting the bar slip.
I remember many moons ago reading someone looping their straps around the bar and using them as handles. Is this a viable alternative? My own cheapo straps are very short, too short to wrap around my hand so before I buy a longer (proper!) pair I said Id ask on here

the drifter

Ive used it a few times...very hard to go to decent weight on it though.
If you know a metal worker get them to make a top squat



I've also used a top squat and found it very good.

Scuba Ste

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

Both my wrists are in bad shape so using the standard grip on front squats isnt a starter and the cross arm thing is never secure enough for me to focus on squatting rather than not letting the bar slip.
I remember many moons ago reading someone looping their straps around the bar and using them as handles. Is this a viable alternative? My own cheapo straps are very short, too short to wrap around my hand so before I buy a longer (proper!) pair I said Id ask on here

Are you trying to grip the bar when f squatting? You only need a finger or two on it to keep it in place.

Short straps shouldn't be a problem, most weighlifters use short ones. Loop them around the bar and just grip them, haven't done but I've seen it done. Sounds like your doing something wrong though, the bar rests on your delts and the hands are just to keep it in place. If your elbows are up it shouldn't move too much.

Hanley

Google "gillingham front squat strap" - improvise as necessary

deadlybuzzman

Scuba Ste wrote: »

Are you trying to grip the bar when f squatting? You only need a finger or two on it to keep it in place.

Short straps shouldn't be a problem, most weighlifters use short ones. Loop them around the bar and just grip them, haven't done but I've seen it done. Sounds like your doing something wrong though, the bar rests on your delts and the hands are just to keep it in place. If your elbows are up it shouldn't move too much.

I cant put any weight on my wrists while theyre bent e.g. If I ever have to do push ups it has to be on my knuckles as doing them palms down would be very painful, so thats why I cant do the normal grip.
The crossed arm thing is grand to start but towards the end of a set as form goes even a little and the bar moves I end up focusing on not letting the bar slide so any little thing will probably help.
Ill give it a go with my cheapo straps so, hopefully it does the biz!

deadlybuzzman

Hanley wrote: »

Google "gillingham front squat strap" - improvise as necessary

So simple and looks so effective!

Scuba Ste

I tried using my straps like this today. Might do a job for you.

deadlybuzzman

Scuba Ste wrote: »

I tried using my straps like this today. Might do a job for you.

cheers thats exactly what I was thinking of doing, my straps are alot skinnier than that so if its hard to grip I might even just double over 2 lengths of rope and loop it over the bar.
How did you find doing front squats that way as opposed to the traditional way?
Class looking gym btw!

squod

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

cheers thats exactly what I was thinking of doing, my straps are alot skinnier than that so if its hard to grip I might even just double over 2 lengths of rope and loop it over the bar.

That sounds like an idea

Scuba Ste

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

cheers thats exactly what I was thinking of doing, my straps are alot skinnier than that so if its hard to grip I might even just double over 2 lengths of rope and loop it over the bar.
How did you find doing front squats that way as opposed to the traditional way?
Class looking gym btw!

It was alright, I didn't go too heavy though. I'm sure you'd get used to it the more you do it but does keep your wrists from flexing. Rope sounds like it would work better grip wise but these were fine too.

The gym is Morton Stadium.