Whos right whos wrong: Me v P.Trainer

leetskeet · 08-07-2009, 03:56 PM

Ok so I just moved to a new gym been going there for about a week now. I also just started doing Zercher squats which I LOVE. I have always had problems with squats since I started lifting weights. Primarily my problem rest in balancing the bar on my back so when I found zercher squats I thought to myself this looks great! I have been doing them for about a week and LOVE how they feel I can really feel my legs/glutes working.

Well today I had finally gotten my zercher squats up to 225 lbs and after I finish my last set a personal trainer at the gym I go to comes up to me and ask me what If I am trying to do front squats.....

I tell him no I am doing zercher squats. He then proceeds to tell me that it looks like I am going to herniate a disc in my upper back because I am rounding my shoulders forward so much. When I tell him its a dead start squat he goes "Well you should have a spotter" I remain silent and he tells me to try front squats. I try them @ 135 lbs how he shows me and of course I hate it, it feels like my shoulders are being ripped from my sockets.

Was this personal trainer someone who had never heard of zercher squats? I feel NO PAIN in my back when I do zercher squats and love how they make my legs work.

Whose right in this case? I walked away from the power rack after I tried his front squats but now when I go back If hes there and I do zerchers again I might look like a dick.

joen270 · 08-07-2009, 03:58 PM

tried em a few times. they rip apart my inner elbows

RyHam · 08-07-2009, 04:08 PM

It's a tie, you're both idiots.

Learn to back squat properly.

brudman · 08-07-2009, 04:21 PM

The only time zercher squats are not okay is when you post in a powerlifting forum about how you are too big of a puss to do back squats and front squats. Prioritize back squats. Then learn front squats. Then use variations thereof to complement your training.

dannyautrey · 08-07-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brudman

The only time zercher squats are not okay is when you post in a powerlifting forum about how you are too big of a puss to do back squats and front squats. Prioritize back squats. Then learn front squats. Then use variations thereof to complement your training.

lol.. this

skinnycalves · 08-07-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brudman

The only time zercher squats are not okay is when you post in a powerlifting forum about how you are too big of a puss to do back squats and front squats. Prioritize back squats. Then learn front squats. Then use variations thereof to complement your training.

You hit the nail on the head

Also OP, the trainer might have a point about rounding your upper back, i have not seen a video of you zercher squatting but just be weary.

Though a zercher does lend itself to upper back rounding a lot more than other lifts, so you could be perfectly fine.

Iceman1800 · 08-07-2009, 08:04 PM

zercher squats taken off pins set at around 28" off the floor will build strength 2nd only to deadlifts. try them, you'll love them.

Wildtim · 08-09-2009, 05:28 PM

You should be pinning your shoulders back and not rounding them forward when doing Zerchers the rounding of the upper back is a problem.

Not being able to do back squats is the real problem though, you might find it easier to balance the bar on your back if you put your purse down first.

dannyautrey · 08-09-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildtim

You should be pinning your shoulders back and not rounding them forward when doing Zerchers the rounding of the upper back is a problem.

Not being able to do back squats is the real problem though, you might find it easier to balance the bar on your back if you put your purse down first.

lol.. repped

mattstuff · 08-09-2009, 09:55 PM

wow i had to google zercher squat there, ive never herd of it, and frankly never wana hear it again ....

so theres your answer

phillipinoc · 08-09-2009, 09:58 PM

Whats a squat? I thought it was only possible to work pecs and biceps...... j/k Jebus I miss powerlifting.

Metal Jerk · 08-09-2009, 10:03 PM

Hes kind of right... dont round your upper back noob.

al.strongman · 08-11-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman1800

zercher squats taken off pins set at around 28" off the floor will build strength 2nd only to deadlifts. try them, you'll love them.

Okay Iceman I have a question that may sound stupid but what is the difference between Front squats and Zercher squats. I just started doing these because of a contest I'm getting ready for. We have to do 450 pound Zercher squats for reps. I thought Front squats and Zercher squats were the same thing. Love them........ Not me they are kicking my #ss

fyre500 · 08-11-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al.strongman

Okay Iceman I have a question that may sound stupid but what is the difference between Front squats and Zercher squats. I just started doing these because of a contest I'm getting ready for. We have to do 450 pound Zercher squats for reps. I thought Front squats and Zercher squats were the same thing. Love them........ Not me they are kicking my #ss

Front Squat:

Zercher Squat:

Retardo-pex · 08-11-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattstuff

wow i had to google zercher squat there, ive never herd of it, and frankly never wana hear it again ....

so theres your answer

Zercher squats are one of the best lower body substitutes for building strength, you not having heard of them before just means you were uneducated, not that this exercise should never be performed. To the op, the trainer was most likely douching it up seeing as he thought you were doing front squats wrong (Zercher squats aren't exactly an unheard of exercise either so he really isn't even trying) Never bend to the will of a trainer at a douchy commercial gym in my opinion. Now that he knows all he has to do is interupt your workout and tell you to do something else, he will begin giving you "tips" like this frequently in hopes of you realizing how amazing of a lifting guru he is and giving him all your $$ to find out all he knows.

Next time he interrupts you let him know that you will interrup him every time he is working with a client.

PaHulkster · 08-11-2009, 01:56 PM

Like others have said, you may be rounding your back in a dangerous way. You'd need to post a video to say for sure. Still, if a "trainer" thinks a zercher squat is a failed attempt at a front squat then he probably doesn't know as much as he wants you to think he does. I also think squats or front squats should be your primary move.