Red mark on neck from squats?

[clouth]

Is this mark from squats normal? Or is the bar in the wrong spot?

[71Avido]

It's just because you don't have much back mass. The bar is resting right on your spine.

[Garage Rat]

There is no right or wrong spot for the bar to set it just depends on what type of squat you are doing and for what purpose.
That spot is right where your vertebra is and is common for guys that dont have a heavy trap development.
You can lower the down your back for a low bar squat like a powerlifter if it bothers you.

[clouth]

It's just because you don't have much back mass. The bar is resting right on your spine.

So over time when I get more mass on my back it should go away?

[71Avido]

So over time when I get more mass on my back it should go away?

Not entirely.
As you develop back mass your vertebrae will be more protected and the marks shift to your traps. Those don't really hurt at all, just look a bit weird.

[charles1997]

I'm a small guy but my traps are decent so the bar rests on them with almost no pain (especially when I'm wearing a sleeved shirt). The bar should rest on them if you're talking high bar squat..

[k9pit]

The fact that mark is far more pronounces in the middle is somewhat of a tell-tell that it may be resting on your vertebre as 71Avido pointed out. If so, that is not good.

Make sure you are attempting to "create a shelf" with your upper back and not let the bar rest on your spine. If anything, you'll end up with marks on your sides above your shoulder blades if you're doing low bar, across the sides of your upper traps if doing high bar, or front delt/chest tie-in with front squats. The heavier you go, the worse the "can" get. I still get those marks from the bar knurling and usually where a sweatshirt.

[speedjason]

train traps. once you get them you wont even feel the bar.
yes it hurts and might leave bruise when you start out.

[Topcheese44]

Is this mark from squats normal? Or is the bar in the wrong spot?

Hey I was just wondering if the mark ever went away. Ive been squatting for 2 years and have the same issue.

[SuffolkPunch]

Hey I was just wondering if the mark ever went away. Ive been squatting for 2 years and have the same issue.

Not completely. I put tape around the middle of my bar. Some gyms have bars with no central knurling - it's this that acts like a cheese grater. You could try positioning the bar lower too. You would be surprised by how low down their back some people get the bar in a low bar back squat.

[SwinginSinatra]

I get these all the time too. As stated above, it is partly due to low trap development and the weight pushing deep into your skin and popping capillaries. However, another factor is what type of shirt you are wearing. I know it sounds crazy but shirts with seams by the collar have a rugged texture and construction so they dig right into your skin and give you those marks. Once I changed into something with less of a seam or simply wore a hoodie, the mark was much more minimal. Plus, for me, the mark normally never sets in until about after 275lb.