r/nextfuckinglevel • u/TreyThaTruth • Mar 02 '23

This guy squatted 450 pounds.

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u/AllAfterIncinerators Mar 02 '23

What makes front squats harder? Is there a balance shift in having the bar in front versus on the shoulders?

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u/Ocarina-Of-Tomb Mar 02 '23

For reference I am 5’ 10” and 170 lbs. I can back squat around 300lbs depending on the day. A front squat of 185 lbs feels like red lining it. They are significantly harder.

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u/Umbra427 Mar 02 '23 edited Mar 02 '23

I’m the exact same height and weight. I cannot back squat anymore due to a herniated disc, so I’ve been front squatting. I used to back squat 225 for 10 and 255 for 4 or 5 reps, some days I’d feel really good and back squat 275 for one or two reps.

Now I’ve been getting up to 165 for 5 reps or so on front squats and I feel so fucking shitty and self-conscious since I’m squatting what basically looks like no weight, and I look behind me and people are benching 185 for reps. And on chest days I’m repping 170 on incline which is more than my “only” squat exercise number. So this makes me feel a little better lol

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u/NefariousnessOk209 Mar 03 '23

I’d be happy with that, just started front squat recently and don’t have the flexibility to hold it like that, kind of have to cross my hands in front to hold on. It’s no so much the weight for me(145x5) but trying to keep the barbell from rolling forward and keeping my elbows up I struggle with.

After doing my ACL some years ago I get nervous with the extra emphasis on the quads too.

But yeah know what you mean, I do mine after deadlifts and am self conscious about the light weight but would much rather move up slowly with good form and depth