Weightlifting in an underequipped gym

[jdavis85]

Ok, so the gym at the university I work at is seriously under equipped. There's a lot of things that they're missing, like a full weight set for starters, but hopefully that won't be an issue. However, the first thing I noticed straight off from walking in is that there's no rack to hold a barbell for squats.

Does this mean I can't do squats, or should I just yank it up above my head and set it on my shoulders? (I can't see how I could possibly do this for very long, and it sounds very unsafe)

The other thing I was thinking was if I pulled the bench racks up as far as they could go then just sat down on the bench and lifted off with the bar on my back, but again, this seems pretty unsafe.

With that in mind, are there any good alternatives to squats that will accomplish the same thing? (IE, squats being a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups)

I'm looking for another gym in the meantime, but if I can't find one, this'll have to do, plus, I really want to get started with lifting.

[rock__ten_]

well you can still deadlift and stuff

[Caveman]

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Quadriceps/BBHackSquat.html

[jdavis85]

Brilliant. Thanks for the help.

[Phil D]

The other thing I was thinking was if I pulled the bench racks up as far as they could go then just sat down on the bench and lifted off with the bar on my back, but again, this seems pretty unsafe.
this is what i have to do, i find myself holding back a bit with my squats. Try frontsquats as an alternative:good:

[Rahf]

Deadlift, muscle clean and then go on doing front squats. Problem solved.

[anfeyd]

I'd revolve my program around deadlifts while definately learning the power clean and squat clean intensively. Front squat any weight you can clean. Snatch-overhead squat will also be valuable.

Secondly, while youre in the process of learning those there are always bulgarian split squats and other unilateral variations. I dislike the barbell hack squat and I would use bulgarians over it.