Does anyone else struggle to get their shoulders under the squat bar?

[nothuman]

The bigger I get, the harder this becomes to do. My gym doesn’t have a safety bar so I’ve been doing one shoulder smith machine squats. It’s kind of embarrassing to be honest.

Anyone successfully fix this problem?

 

[st114]

Same problem, I have to use the 55lb PLing squat bar that is a bit longer, and then I’m out to the plates. Can only do high bar now.
But 90% of the time I’m doing SSB squats. You could also try putting wrist wraps around the bar and holding on to those

 

[slesh]

Maybe I’m high but I don’t know what you mean

 

[bbxtreme]

A lot of deep tissue work and active release technique.

But I’ve been doing belt squats lately as I just like the movement much better than trying to force my shoulders back under a barbell.

A wider grip on the bar and keeping it on my traps the entire time has been the only “better” way I’ve found.

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

My first choice solution would be to get a MARRS bar which is the best bar I have ever used in many regards. An expensive and most likely impractical option.

My second choice would be get a top squat attachment for far less.

If you just work mobility that will help a lot, but use something like a Kabuki Shoulderok or similar instead of just you tubing how to increase shoulder mobility. A lot of those videos will do more harm than good.

Flossing can help as well if you can get someone to help you wrap the shoulders. If you don't have floss or want to buy it, you can cut a bike tire intertube, same thing.

 

[3BILLS]

A lot of deep tissue work and active release technique.

But I’ve been doing belt squats lately as I just like the movement much better than trying to force my shoulders back under a barbell.

A wider grip on the bar and keeping it on my traps the entire time has been the only “better” way I’ve found.

I have been really diggin the belt squats atm to

 

[3BILLS]

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[st114]

My first choice solution would be to get a MARRS bar which is the best bar I have ever used in many regards. An expensive and most likely impractical option.

My second choice would be get a top squat attachment for far less.

If you just work mobility that will help a lot, but use something like a Kabuki Shoulderok or similar instead of just you tubing how to increase shoulder mobility. A lot of those videos will do more harm than good.

Flossing can help as well if you can get someone to help you wrap the shoulders. If you don't have floss or want to buy it, you can cut a bike tire intertube, same thing.

Do you like the Marrs bar better than the regular SSB? I’ve honestly never tried it but my gym has one. Looked like it would be too far down my back and be more glute dominant, and I have enough mass in that department

 

[st114]

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Ah yeah I forgot. I do this sometimes too for higher reps. Put a ten pound plate inbetween the first and second plate and you can get a full grip around the plates

 

[AllOkJumpmaster]

Do you like the Marrs bar better than the regular SSB? I’ve honestly never tried it but my gym has one. Looked like it would be too far down my back and be more glute dominant, and I have enough mass in that department

I do like it much better. The only other bar I'd put on the same level is the Kabuki transformer bar. I do A LOT of hack squats, pendulum, and basket so I am never worried about quads not getting work, but I never felt it was too much glutes or hams.

 

[mexbeast]

I put spacers on the bar so I can widened my grip, if there is no spacers I just do bring the plaits all the way in, hope that makes sense

 

[SouthernMuscle]

Yukon Buffalo Bar | Titan Fitness

The Yukon Power Bar has a 6" curvature for greater comfort during squats, less shoulder pain during bench presses, and improved form for safer lifts.

www.titan.fitness

I use this and put my hands through the hollow area in the plates

 

[hevi-head]

Absolutely, I'm about as flexible as an anvil. I try mobility stuff and stretching but just never seem to get anywhere with it

 

[st114]

I do like it much better. The only other bar I'd put on the same level is the Kabuki transformer bar. I do A LOT of hack squats, pendulum, and basket so I am never worried about quads not getting work, but I never felt it was too much glutes or hams.

Thanks man, I’m going to try it out next leg day. It’s been gathering dust in the gym. I always figured it was a glute destroyer lol

Transformer bar is awesome though, that’s the SSB I use for 90% of my legs days. I’ll switch the settings and use multiple ones in the same workout. Can’t recommend it enough if anyone has one in their gym. Just be careful with the Goblet Squat setting and don’t eat shit taking it out of the rack for the first time like I did

 

[Reno911]

Over the years it became very difficult to squat with a regular bar so it evolved into squatting Hatfield style with the SSB.

After my neck fusion looking back, I think I should have cut out all spinal loading at about 35. I don't think having 405+ or even 315 loaded on my neck like that was a good idea all those years with any kind of bar. I think I could have grown my legs just as well with exercises that don't include vertical spinal loading.

 

[nothuman]

Maybe I’m high but I don’t know what you mean

 

[nothuman]

Yukon Buffalo Bar | Titan Fitness

The Yukon Power Bar has a 6" curvature for greater comfort during squats, less shoulder pain during bench presses, and improved form for safer lifts.

www.titan.fitness

I use this and put my hands through the hollow area in the plates

I’m trying to picture myself bringing that to the gym with me

 

[SouthernMuscle]

I’m trying to picture myself bringing that to the gym with me

Ah ok, yeah i don‘t have any remedies that don’t require a different bar

other than the hands through the plates technique. If you normally put your hands closer to your shoulders then this would be a very different feel for you. Although you may be at a point where it’s necessary to change things up

 

[SouthernMuscle]

Over the years it became very difficult to squat with a regular bar so it evolved into squatting Hatfield style with the SSB.

After my neck fusion looking back, I think I should have cut out all spinal loading at about 35. I don't think having 405+ or even 315 loaded on my neck like that was a good idea all those years with any kind of bar. I think I could have grown my legs just as well with exercises that don't include vertical spinal loading.

As soon as i get a leg press, these squats can eat shit

 

[alfresco]

Absolutely, I'm about as flexible as an anvil. I try mobility stuff and stretching but just never seem to get anywhere with it

Takes time and consistency. Real time. And more importantly hold each ‘stretch’ for a minimum of 20 seconds. More time is better here but not too much. Just be careful not to overdo it. Listen to your body just like lifting. You have the mind body connection and awareness, use it here . . . but don’t look for miracles

Now back on topic.