Front Squat Question(s)

[IainK]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

Thanks. I wanted to get to 200kg,
.

Dosn't look that far away.

[BigJosh]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

Just to add: I'm looking at my original comment, and your reaction to it. Presumably I'm one of the instances of telling you that you're full of shit. I'm looking at that I shouldn't be doing them. and wondering how you have come to that conclusion. If that's 'calling you out', I'm losing my touch, as it would be hard to imagine a milder way of doing it. But, hey, I guess what seems a playful nudge to one person is a punch in the gob to another.

Tann, I apoligize to you for being a bit jumpy. Like I said in the last post, I feel like the last 3 times I have tried to help and share my opinion, someone has jumped in to directly say I am full of shit, just because they do not share the same opinion. I am sorry that I let my frustration manifest itself in such a ridiculous manner.
The statement: " I've just learned that the cross-arm style is called 'California style' and that I shouldn't be doing them." came across as directed at me, and I took it wrong.
I do want to clariy, I didn't say that Tannhauser shouldn't do them cross armed. For the record, you are an accomplished lifter and I would be a belligerant ass too tell you you are doing something wrong. I wasn't and I am not.
However, what I am trying to do is tell a guy who is trying to learn the front squat that I think he should do them with the "clean grip" (or whatever one would call it). And I stand by that. I am of the opinion that there is benefits to front squating this way. Especially a new lifter.

[Fazc]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

I've just learned that the cross-arm style is called 'California style' and that I shouldn't be doing them.

U WOT M8???

Lol, don't kill me Josh I'm only joking.

Anyhoooooo, I like the clean grip a LOT until I screwed my wrist over 3 weeks ago. Now I use straps and hold on to those. It's okay. I'd prefer to be able to clean grip but there you go.

In regards to the original question, there really is no ratio. The rack position should get easier over time, but it's still horrendous especially for anything over a triple.

[dossas]

Originally Posted by IainK

Nice 400lb fronter Tanner! That was a good lift. Agreed
I am rubbish at front squats. Mainly as my mob sucks in relation to them, and thus have never really done much of them in angerr No chance of getting into a good clean poss and even with arms crossed I cannot seem to nail the poss. Best frontie is 140kg!
If I want to do something a bit more quad dominant than my meet back squat tech I just do high bar work.

140 kg front squat rubbish?? Really? I wish I could do that.

Anyhow, it took me some time to learn the front squat. I, personally like the clean grip, but I have to increase weight gradually as I warm up and keep stretching my wrists "back" and my elbows "up". Lack of flexibility here is really limiting for me in the front squat. In addition, these aren't a high rep exercise for me. I don't think I've seen any/much carry over from front squat to back squat.

[IainK]

Its all relative dossas. My best back squat is 250kg.

I think the clean grip is def the way forward if you have the mobility or want to dig in and go and get it!

[dossas]

I did read somewhere that the front squat has a better transfer to athletics/sports than does the back squat. Can anyone comment on this??

My best is around 110 - 115 kg. Nonetheless, I love the feeling in my upper back and core from front squats. And for me, it is definitely easier on my lower back.

[IainK]

I have heard that too. I don't believe it. Squating is GPP for every sport apart from powerlifting. I doubt it really makes to much difference what style you use as part of yours sports SnC. Although given the greater muscle mass used in a back squat you will get a bit more 'bang for your buck' out of it, than a frontie. However its easy enough to do both.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by dossas

I did read somewhere that the front squat has a better transfer to athletics/sports than does the back squat. Can anyone comment on this??

Not for me.

During college back squats took my vertical jump up over 8 inches in a year, and dramatically increased my sprint speed.

Pound for pound, I personally don't think any lift is better for improving overall athletic performance than back squats.

[miked96]

Agree on the back squats. Everybody ius diffrent as far as ratios. I back squat 565 and I front squat 455. If you want to use a clean grip then use the Gillingham straps or in the same style that Facz mentioned. It allows you the benefits of the clean grip that Josh mentioned without having to worry about your fingers slipping.

Heres a 445 with the Gillingham straps. They are a great piece of gear.

445 fs.m4v - YouTube

445 fs.m4v - YouTube

[hercules455]

I to the cross arm grip and I feel like i'm using my shoulder to push up on the bar to keep it from rolling forward and my shoulders are starting to hurt. I need to learn to it the other way its just tough to change things up after it took me so long to learn how to do it they way I am now. I originally learned on a max rack and I know do it free standing.

I started doing them to bring up my quads. My hams dominate most multi joint leg movements.