Full body routine...

[WushuTricks]

Without deadlifts and backsquats. Could it be done effectively?

[compleks]

Yes.

[Phil D]

but why would you want to leave out deads and back squats?

[rock12]

I don't think back squats are good for everybody, not at all.

[JacktheHero]

I don't think back squats are good for everybody, not at all.
I don't think training is good for everybody, not at all. Don't even start me on breathing...

[Rahf]

but why would you want to leave out deads and back squats?

Because he does not feel like doing them perhaps.

[anfeyd]

It depends. Most of the posterior exercises that one would use are derived from the deadlift. So if you don't want to do the deadlift due to back issues or something similar you'll have minimal exercises for the posterior side.

Why do you want to leave the two out?

[rock12]

I don't think training is good for everybody, not at all. Don't even start me on breathing...

I agree. What did you have to say about breathing, though?

[Honken]

From a tricking and wushu perspective, deadlifts and backsquats are going to be the most important exercises for improving your performance in the two aforementioned activities.

[CodyLee1337]

Variety is key, you will need something to replace such useful exercises.

[Skippy]

From a tricking and wushu perspective, deadlifts and backsquats are going to be the most important exercises for improving your performance in the two aforementioned activities.

Honken, in squatting, how does holding the bar behind you or in front of you effect your lifts? if it does? I imagine on a bar behind you, you could squat a bit more right?

[compleks]

Honken, in squatting, how does holding the bar behind you or in front of you effect your lifts? if it does? I imagine on a bar behind you, you could squat a bit more right?

Right. It's all about leverage.

[Skippy]

If we were going safety wise compleks, lets say for myself here, I have never squatted before and have no spotter. But I have a barbell and plenty of weights and a bench and blah whatever, would a front squat be safer for me to start off with, it seems like if I was fucking up anywhere or felt uncomfortable it would be easier to drop the weight if it was in front.

Or should I just not be an idiot and not squat without either a spotter or a squat rack?

Either way, now that my hamstrings healed I've started deadlifting again, which I know isn't a replacement but at least I'm working some part of my legs with weights haha. I do isometrics with leg weights mostly.

[Rahf]

You could do whichever, keep the weight ridiculously low and warm up properly before attempting it. Best way to learn proper technique in the big three is through a proper coach, olympic lifting or powerlifting, both are good.

[compleks]

Yes, both would be good.
Since you haven't squatted before, the weight you use shouldn't even be potentially dangerous. So it shouldn't be an issue.

(Theoretically, it is easier/safer to bail out of a front squat than a back squat)

[Honken]

I've never understood why front squats would be safer than back squats. If you drop the weight on a front squat at the bottom position there's a risk that you'll drop the bar right on your knees/legs. When back squatting all you have to do is to release your grip and step forward an inch or so and you'll be fine.

Imagine dropping the weight on a jerk and have it break your front leg into smithereens.

[anfeyd]

If your new you shouldn't have a problem back squatting and spotting as long as you are intelligent. I worked my way up to a 360 lb squat without any spotters or any safety catches. I never had to bail a lift.

[compleks]

I've never understood why front squats would be safer than back squats. If you drop the weight on a front squat at the bottom position there's a risk that you'll drop the bar right on your knees/legs. When back squatting all you have to do is to release your grip and step forward an inch or so and you'll be fine.

Imagine dropping the weight on a jerk and have it break your front leg into smithereens.

Most people squat with a high bar placement, making it difficult to release from. I find it's easier to keep better posture while releasing a front squat too.

[Ashtar]

I usually read that front squats do more for the quads than backs, and usually the intention behind doing squats rather than a deadlift is quad anyway (since deads are more a post chain one) is quads anyway, it's like 'why not go all the way'?

[Rahf]

I reckon if you need to bail a front squat, it's a matter of pushing the barbell away from you while stepping backwards. Back squat is just as Honken says, take a step forward and drop tension in your hands.

[Honken]

Most people squat with a high bar placement, making it difficult to release from.

I was talking about high bar placement. I don't get the hard part, just let go!? Step forward just a little and release your grip and the bar will fall straight down.

EDIT: Any people who squat with a low bar? I've only seen powerlifters lift that way.

[anfeyd]

I'm more low bar than high bar. Bailing a front squat is easier because you can see the bar and you can actively thrust it away from you with your shoulders and hands as you jump back. Usually when people get stuck on a back squat they are leaning forwards to try anything they can to get the bar up.

While this video is a terrible example it serves its purpose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2_C4THof94

If he lets go with his hands chances are it will hit him on the way down or even roll down his back.

[WushuTricks]

I can't do backsquats or deadlifts. It seriously hurts my back right because of my injury. I can't do them untill my physio says it's okay, but I do front squats since they are easier on the back and workout the front side of your body.

[compleks]

I'm more low bar than high bar. Bailing a front squat is easier because you can see the bar and you can actively thrust it away from you with your shoulders and hands as you jump back. Usually when people get stuck on a back squat they are leaning forwards to try anything they can to get the bar up.

While this video is a terrible example it serves its purpose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2_C4THof94

If he lets go with his hands chances are it will hit him on the way down or even roll down his back.

Yeah. I find when most people get stuck in a back squat they are leaning quite far forwards, making it difficult to release the bar.

I don't know. It's a pretty pointless discussion anyway.

[Honken]

I'm speaking about full squats. If you're squatting in a powerlifting style then releasing is harder yes, but this is how my fails and escapes look like (not me):

99beBkT9gZg

but I do front squats since they are easier on the back

Due to the leverage of front squats, they are harder on your back than back squats.

[Kon-El]

I'm probably not as well read as most of you, but I have read in more than one instance that front squats are easier on the spine, my physical therapist thought so too. I also find it easier to go low in a front squat even without weightlifting shoes. What do most of you think? Which puts less stress on the back assuming good form?

[Rahf]

I'm probably not as well read as most of you, but I have read in more than one instance that front squats are easier on the spine, my physical therapist thought so too. I also find it easier to go low in a front squat even without weightlifting shoes. What do most of you think? Which puts less stress on the back assuming good form?

Both place stress on the spine, the difference is probably that more weight of the front squat is supported by your abdomen. As long as you do not have a spinal disorder there shouldn't be any problem with squatting as long as you keep proper form.

[Kon-El]

Spinal disorder has become something I'm accustomed to. Just the hand life dealt me I guess; could be worse so I'm not complaining.
Thanks for the answer.

[Phil D]

Both place stress on the spine, the difference is probably that more weight of the front squat is supported by your abdomen. As long as you do not have a spinal disorder there shouldn't be any problem with squatting as long as you keep proper form.

the difference is that usually people cant lift as much in a front squat so there is less spinal compression due to the reduced weight

[WushuTricks]

I'm speaking about full squats. If you're squatting in a powerlifting style then releasing is harder yes, but this is how my fails and escapes look like (not me):

99beBkT9gZg



Due to the leverage of front squats, they are harder on your back than back squats.

Hmmm. I always finish fronts with a sore front side of the core than any back soreness. But since everyone is different wouldn't it be wrong to say which affects which?

[Honken]

Unless you're doing goodmorning squats, the front should be harder on your back muscles because of the leverage (keeping you from tipping forward).