is it a fact front squats hit the glutes less than back squats?

[anabolichalo]

nobody likes to have big glutes unless they take cock in their ass and or vagina

[jodsy]

yes because of the center of balance, if you've got knee problems, dont do either

[Mr Nobody]

This is true front squats hit more around the knee area, and less stress on low back but still work glutes a great exercise.

[anabolichalo]

This is true front squats hit more around the knee area, and less stress on low back but still work glutes a great exercise.

the only drawback i found that is with front squats if you go a little too heavy or try a rep too many, it's easy to hurt the upper or middle part of the spine because buckling effect

i just did 4 sets of 10 with 100kg no locking out controlled reps and the inner part near the knee felt super pumped

entire quad works well like this

i was afraid to go too heavy again because above mentioned reason

[DroppingPlates]

Here's a comparison between both versions, where researchers measured the activity of the following muscles:

BF = biceps femoris
RF = rector femoris
ST = semitendinosus
VL = vastus lateralis
VM = vastus medialis
ES = erector spinae



The semitendinosus ('inner hamstring') is close to the gluteus maximus. Based on this, I assume that there's slightly less glute activation during a front squat.

http://www.ergogenics.org/gezondheid173.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19002072

[Mr Nobody]

the only drawback i found that is with front squats if you go a little too heavy or try a rep too many, it's easy to hurt the upper or middle part of the spine because buckling effect

i just did 4 sets of 10 with 100kg no locking out controlled reps and the inner part near the knee felt super pumped

entire quad works well like this

i was afraid to go too heavy again because above mentioned reason

Do you you do of them off a rack or clean the barbell from the floor? Reason I ask is if you do a couple of warmups cleaning them off off the floor you may find this will not effect upper back because cleaning them warms up upper back.

[anabolichalo]

Do you you do of them off a rack or clean the barbell from the floor? Reason I ask is if you do a couple of warmups cleaning them off off the floor you may find this will not effect because cleaning them warms up upper back.

interesting, i havent done cleans in at least 2 years

when i did a lot of olympic style lifts i didnt have this injury prone thing for front squats

maybe the upper back was just stronger basically

[Mr Nobody]

interesting, i havent done cleans in at least 2 years

when i did a lot of olympic style lifts i didnt have this injury prone thing for front squats

maybe the upper back was just stronger basically

Exactly.

[Marty Champions]

front squats totally save my lower back

i can go deep on front squats but gotta lighten up the weight

front squats are far superior if your looking to work legs and not injure your back

i just close grip curl the bar up and rest on my sholders keeping that same close grip on the bar very comfortable

[liquid_c]

Front squats are great.  Hits the quads much more and much less stressful on the back.  That being said they are a very uncomfortable for most to do.  Hence they are not done nearly as much as regular squats. 

[Mr Nobody]

front squats totally save my lower back

i can go deep on front squats but gotta lighten up the weight

front squats are far superior if your looking to work legs and not injure your back

i just close grip curl the bar up and rest on my sholders keeping that same close grip on the bar very comfortable

Exactly Master Falcon just clean it off the floor a couple of warmups sets then good to go. Back squats compress the spine and I have done a ton of them but discovered as you front squats hit the thighs without back vertabre compression.

[anabolichalo]

Front squats are great.  Hits the quads much more and much less stressful on the back.  That being said they are a very uncomfortable for most to do.  Hence they are not done nearly as much as regular squats. 

i find that they require less flexibility in my case than a perfect full back squat


to me the reason is obvious

becayse you have the barbell in front, your torso i more upright, that means your hips dont have to rotate as much forward to maintain a perfect flat back on the bottom

there for it requires less flexibility than a backsquat


common sense really

[DroppingPlates]

Maybe people with a tall upper body experience more stability during fronts, compared with regular squats? At least, that's my experience.

[anabolichalo]

Maybe people with a tall upper body experience more stability during fronts, compared with regular squats? At least, that's my experience.

makes sense because there is less shifting of the back angle i think

it's more or less "just up and down"

the only thing you need is some ankle mobility or elevated heel adidas weightlifting shoes

[DroppingPlates]

makes sense because there is less shifting of the back angle i think

it's more or less "just up and down"

the only thing you need is some ankle mobility or elevated heel adidas weightlifting shoes

My best lifts were on socks. My formal place was a weightlifting club, great place, they didn't mind that I was walking on socks all the time.
I believe it's more stable and better for my calves as well (yes, broscience)

[anabolichalo]

My best lifts were on socks. My formal place was a weightlifting club, great place, they didn't mind that I was walking on socks all the time.
I believe it's more stable and better for my calves as well (yes, broscience)

means you have excellent ankle mobility

[Mr Nobody]

Maybe people with a tall upper body experience more stability during fronts, compared with regular squats? At least, that's my experience.

This is true, being 6'2" that's why I started doing them, now being very flexible I'm able to stand on one leg and put my foot on on top of a refrigerator but found the front squats work my quads better than the standard back squat.

[DroppingPlates]

means you have excellent ankle mobility

Not really, to be honest. I should move my knees in the same direction as my toes, while keeping my heels on the floor, but I can't. To overcome this, I have 2 options: my heels on a plate/piece of wood or by keeping my knees more close than my foot position. In most cases I choose the last option, but when I perform a small squat, I choose the first option.

[Overload]

elevated heel adidas weightlifting shoes

They are worth every penny.  I can tell a huge difference in my form when i use my weightlifting shoes.  My knees and hips never hurt now that i have been using them consistantly for a few years.  I only use them for squats and power cleans.  You can get a much better drive out of the hole with these shoes.  In just a few weeks my front squat numbers went up and the movement felt more natural.

[Mawse]

interesting, i havent done cleans in at least 2 years

when i did a lot of olympic style lifts i didnt have this injury prone thing for front squats

maybe the upper back was just stronger basically

protip dont take -edit- 'questionable' training advice on getbig

I've FS'd 495 atg and the key to upper back stability is scapular work, and lots of it before you start FSing.... and stretch the heck out of the pecs and shoulders and warm up the RC's. Then you will be able to keep your elbows up and not risk losing the lift. If you lose that thoracic stability then you are fucked

but yeah, never do a 'grinder' or to failure rep on FS

[DroppingPlates]

protip dont take -edit- 'questionable' training advice on getbig

I've FS'd 495 atg and the key to upper back stability is scapular work, and lots of it before you start FSing.... and stretch the heck out of the pecs and shoulders and warm up the RC's. Then you will be able to keep your elbows up and not risk losing the lift. If you lose that thoracic stability then you are fucked

but yeah, never do a 'grinder' or to failure rep on FS

I support your suggestion to perform some scapula work first. I like the combination of foam rolling and weightless front, side & rear raises

[Hulkotron]

Maybe people with a tall upper body experience more stability during fronts, compared with regular squats? At least, that's my experience.

This is the case for me as well.  I have a long torso and relatively short legs for my height.

I suspect most people don't do front squats because you have to use less weight so can't show off as much for your bros and hoes at the gym.

[cephissus]

i'm tall and inflexible, and can't do front squats to save my life.  my spine has weird curvature and it looks super bad doing front squats.  i never felt any glutes at all, but then again i never felt glutes at all on back squats either.

[Mr Nobody]

i'm tall and inflexible, and can't do front squats to save my life.  my spine has weird curvature and it looks super bad doing front squats.  i never felt any glutes at all, but then again i never felt glutes at all on back squats either.

So what you do for quads dude, leg press?

[dj181]

So what you do for quads dude, leg press?

standing around and walking