I haven’t barbell squatted in months. The SSB just feels so much better. As a bonus, it trashes my upper back/mid-lower traps.
Any reason I should program barbell squats? They’re a great exercise but I’m wondering if they offer anything the SSB doesn’t. I squat high bar anyway so the 2 movement patterns are very similar.
[QUOTE=Ironface;1629329293]Is there any reason to barbell squat? (Outside of powerlifting)[/QUOTE]
[img]https://media1.tenor.com/images/c2909117ecdbb6de8fdf9cba0bf60104/tenor.gif?itemid=4771286[/img]
Nope. I’d recommend that a free weight bar squat be in every routine for ease of progression and for the adaptations you get from loading the spine, which has a number of benefits. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a back squat. Front squats, SSB squats are fine too.
In a word?
No.
SSB > to any straight bar back squat IMO
Also, Front/hack/ goblet squats > to any straight bar back squat. Again, IMO
Hope no one negs you for this OP... :(
I'm still relatively new to regularly squatting for challenging weight, so I can't speak from the perspective of someone who's more advanced in the lift, but the SSB looks attractive to me as well, because for some reason I can't grip the bar properly. I have to hold it so wide that it causes me to pull my hands together before racking it unless I want to smash my fingers, or else my wrists are severely bent. Being able to hold the bar with the grips in front of you is appealing.
The movement pattern is more important than the bar you use. SSB is completely fine as are any of the other alternatives listed above.
[QUOTE=Ironface;1629329293]I haven’t barbell squatted in months. The SSB just feels so much better. As a bonus, it trashes my upper back/mid-lower traps.
[B]Any reason I should program barbell squats? [/B]They’re a great exercise but I’m wondering if they offer anything the SSB doesn’t. I squat high bar anyway so the 2 movement patterns are very similar.[/QUOTE]
As a variation during a pivot or if your main movement, SSB, stalls.
[QUOTE=ECGordyn;1629336083]As a variation during a pivot or if your main movement, SSB, stalls.[/QUOTE]I'll probably do this. Reps on r/c
[QUOTE=BeginnerGainz;1629333513]In a word?
No.
SSB > to any straight bar back squat IMO
Also, Front/hack/ goblet squats > to any straight bar back squat. Again, IMO[/QUOTE]
What's the benefit of an SSB squat over a regular back squat? I've never tried it (don't have the equipment) but to my mind it looks very similar, unlike say a front squat.
As much as this pains me to say, no it really isn't.
SSB will be totally fine
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629336723]What's the benefit of an SSB squat over a regular back squat? I've never tried it (don't have the equipment) but to my mind it looks very similar, unlike say a front squat.[/QUOTE]
I haven't personally used SSB much so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but
1) it takes all the strain out of your shoulders
2) keeps you in a more vertical position
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629336723]What's the benefit of an SSB squat over a regular back squat? I've never tried it (don't have the equipment) but to my mind it looks very similar, unlike say a front squat.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=bLinkMoore;1629346153]I haven't personally used SSB much so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but
1) it takes all the strain out of your shoulders
2) keeps you in a more vertical position[/QUOTE]
It doesn’t keep you in a more upright position, it FORCES you to stay more upright. Otherwise it will dump your ass forward and there isn’t an easy way to ditch the bar. Hence why people squat less with an SSB than they do any variation of back squat, but less than a front squat.
It does take the strain off the shoulders or if you’re like me, it allows you to squat with a bar on your back because you simply can’t adductors your shoulders enough to get comfortable under a barbell. It also saves the wrist as well, if one is used to low bar squatting.
Just do some kind of a weighted squat. Even a goblet squat with a dumbbell or kettlebell is better than nothing.
Using a SSB is great if you like it.
[QUOTE=radrd;1629355403]Just do some kind of a weighted squat. Even a goblet squat with a dumbbell or kettlebell is better than nothing.
Using a SSB is great if you like it.[/QUOTE]
In my training currently I do the following:
Heavy lower day: hack squats3x5-6
Light BW FB at home workout: deep paused BW squats 3 sets
Medium FB day at the gym: heavy goblet squats 3x6-8
[QUOTE=Ironface;1629329293]I haven’t barbell squatted in months. The SSB just feels so much better. As a bonus, it trashes my upper back/mid-lower traps.
Any reason I should program barbell squats? They’re a great exercise but I’m wondering if they offer anything the SSB doesn’t. I squat high bar anyway so the 2 movement patterns are very similar.[/QUOTE]
1. Power lifting
2. Because you enjoy it
3. No
[QUOTE=bLinkMoore;1629346153]I haven't personally used SSB much so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but
1) it takes all the strain out of your shoulders
2) keeps you in a more vertical position[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=BeginnerGainz;1629354983]It doesn’t keep you in a more upright position, it FORCES you to stay more upright. Otherwise it will dump your ass forward and there isn’t an easy way to ditch the bar. Hence why people squat less with an SSB than they do any variation of back squat, but less than a front squat.
It does take the strain off the shoulders or if you’re like me, it allows you to squat with a bar on your back because you simply can’t adductors your shoulders enough to get comfortable under a barbell. It also saves the wrist as well, if one is used to low bar squatting.[/QUOTE]
Cheers, sounds good. If I find the equipment at the local store I might just buy it.
SSB is fine
I think you should still include a barbell squat as maybe a secondary variation/movement of your SSB. or some other type of squat just so your training doesn't become stale and perhaps train your muscles through different angles as to not to prevent further "imbalances"
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629364943]Cheers, sounds good. If I find the equipment at the local store I might just buy it.[/QUOTE]
I had to go online. I bought a Titan V2 SSB and I thoroughly recommend it. I have it to a friend when I switched gyms and couldn’t use it there.
[QUOTE=BeginnerGainz;1629376113]I had to go online. I bought a Titan V2 SSB and I thoroughly recommend it. I have it to a friend when I switched gyms and couldn’t use it there.[/QUOTE]
Just had a look out of curiosity, but unfortunately they only ship within the US (I live in Malta). I can probably find a similar alternative in the EU though.
[QUOTE=jk202;1629357983]1. Power lifting
2. Because you enjoy it
3. No[/QUOTE]
This
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629376763]Just had a look out of curiosity, but unfortunately they only ship within the US (I live in Malta). I can probably find a similar alternative in the EU though.[/QUOTE]
Strength shop ssb is excellent quality
Not sure how UK shipping works for you
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629376763]Just had a look out of curiosity, but unfortunately they only ship within the US (I live in Malta). I can probably find a similar alternative in the EU though.[/QUOTE]
Do you work out at home or in a gym?
[QUOTE=WolfRose7;1629378273]Strength shop ssb is excellent quality
Not sure how UK shipping works for you[/QUOTE]
£208 shipping!! I'll wait for now.
[QUOTE=BeginnerGainz;1629379643]Do you work out at home or in a gym?[/QUOTE]
Home garage gym using a homemade squat rack: [url]https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=125212411&p=1616309941&viewfull=1#post1616309941[/url]
[QUOTE=xuerebx;1629379973]£208 shipping!! I'll wait for now.[/QUOTE]
For what it's worth, I know you can make like a substitute SSB using a pair of lifting straps. You put the straps around the bar then hold onto them as the handles. It's obviously a little less secure so I wouldn't go heavy with it, but if you're looking for something to take pressure off your shoulders it could help