Front squats vs back squats

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 12:36 PM

So wanted everyone's opinion on this.

I typically do back squats 90% of the time....I can lift heavier, and they just feel more comfortable for me overall. Do you guys prefer one over the other, and do you feel there's really a big advantage to doing both, or just sticking with one over the other???

iEuropa · 07-01-2016, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

So wanted everyone's opinion on this.

I typically do back squats 90% of the time....I can lift heavier, and they just feel more comfortable for me overall. Do you guys prefer one over the other, and do you feel there's really a big advantage to doing both, or just sticking with one over the other???

I could yabber about this topic all day. Firstly, I think that everyone should have a well rounded squatting routine. Are you squatting low bar (power lifting), or high bar (Olympic lifting) predominantly?

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iEuropa

I could yabber about this topic all day. Firstly, I think that everyone should have a well rounded squatting routine. Are you squatting low bar (power lifting), or high bar (Olympic lifting) predominantly?

Always high bar

iEuropa · 07-01-2016, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

Always high bar

If you're training high bar the front squat is less important than if you squat only low bar. That being said, it is still required that you front squat in my opinion even if you lift high bar. Are you training for strength, or for Olympic lifts? (Most people I know squat low bar, the exceptions being my oly friends.)

insanecoder · 07-01-2016, 01:04 PM

Dudes that sit on their arse in sport seats and drive BMWs .. ask these guys about squats?

KingOfJericho · 07-01-2016, 01:05 PM

As far as what I prefer, obviously back squat because it's more comfortable. That said, front squat get your core much more involved. I do a mix (crossfit).

iEuropa · 07-01-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Dudes that sit on their arse in sport seats and drive BMWs .. ask these guys about squats?

Olympic lifting happens to be one of my favorite sports... so yes? Ha

gthal · 07-01-2016, 01:06 PM

I do both. Front squats are more quad focused and back squats more hamstring, glutes, etc. Obviously both hit everything but the focus feels different to me.

High bar back squats are a staple in my routine every week. Front bar gets added in for 8 weeks and then swapped out for something else for 8 weeks (like barbell lunges or something like that).

I do think front squats help round out your leg training.

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iEuropa

If you're training high bar the front squat is less important than if you squat only low bar. That being said, it is still required that you front squat in my opinion even if you lift high bar. Are you training for strength, or for Olympic lifts? (Most people I know squat low bar, the exceptions being my oly friends.)

Lifting for strength in sports

iEuropa · 07-01-2016, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

Lifting for strength in sports

In that case I would just use them for rounding out your leg routine. As someone who does Oly, front squat is my predominant leg routine. I use high bar back squat, overhead squats, and low bar back squats to round out my routine. Again, this is only because the front squat and overhead squat are specifically my goal.

As a general strength goal, I would stick to predominantly back squat unless you feel your quads or calves are lacking. Try to front squat 1/3 of your leg days. Find someone that can teach you good form. I'm talking an instructor for crossfit or olympic lifters. If you aren't as serious, youtube. Some great instructional videos are on there.

Final tip, if you aren't squatting with olympic lifting shoes, squat barefoot. If that's not allowed where you lift, chucks or something similar. Keep those elbows high!

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iEuropa

In that case I would just use them for rounding out your leg routine. As someone who does Oly, front squat is my predominant leg routine. I use high bar back squat, overhead squats, and low bar back squats to round out my routine. Again, this is only because the front squat and overhead squat are specifically my goal.

As a general strength goal, I would stick to predominantly back squat unless you feel your quads or calves are lacking. Try to front squat 1/3 of your leg days. Find someone that can teach you good form. I'm talking an instructor for crossfit or olympic lifters. If you aren't as serious, youtube. Some great instructional videos are on there.

Final tip, if you aren't squatting with olympic lifting shoes, squat barefoot. If that's not allowed where you lift, chucks or something similar. Keep those elbows high!

Cool, thanks for the info

I typically do my squats/DL's in chucks (too cheap to buy a pair of Romaleos, haha)

overcoil · 07-01-2016, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

Lifting for strength in sports

Know a top NFL kicker and he doesn't do weighted squats and you might think to strengthen legs the squat would be a requirement. Just read Meb Keflezighi's book on running and he not surprisingly doesn't do heavy squats. My novice opinion that for many sports squats aren't that important. I stopped doing squats for a few reasons, after having done them for many years.
I do like a large calf and large vastus medialis on the quad and able to do it without squats or concentrating on squats

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Know a top NFL kicker and he doesn't do weighted squats and you might think to strengthen legs the squat would be a requirement. Just read Meb Keflezighi's book on running and he not surprisingly doesn't do heavy squats. My novice opinion that for many sports squats aren't that important. I stopped doing squats for a few reasons, after having done them for many years.
I do like a large calf and large vastus medialis on the quad and able to do it without squats or concentrating on squats

My primary goal with leg strength is to improve my stride/explosiveness for playing hockey. I've noticed a huge improvement on how quickly I can get up to full speed since putting in more work on my leg/core strength.

overcoil · 07-01-2016, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///WORK-F36

My primary goal with leg strength is to improve my stride/explosiveness for playing hockey. I've noticed a huge improvement on how quickly I can get up to full speed since putting in more work on my leg/core strength.

My lifting buddy plays hockey, you hockey guys are crazy

Do you run out on the road ? just curious

Ryan135i · 07-01-2016, 01:56 PM

I do split weeks, ME and DE.

Low bar back squats and oly grip front squats.

Can't do high bar back anymore due to neck problems.

Tend not to go too heavy with fronts and use them to build core strength with higher (cardio) reps.

koreez88 · 07-01-2016, 02:01 PM

Front squats keep your back safe while working the core and legs.
Those are definitely less comfortable since the bar tends to choke you and initially there's some muscle pain from where the bar sits on shoulders, but that goes away after a while.

Fairly good flexibility is needed to get to proper depth and full rack position on shoulders (Please don't do that bodybuilding arms crossed shit).

///WORK-F36 · 07-01-2016, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

My lifting buddy plays hockey, you hockey guys are crazy

Do you run out on the road ? just curious

No, don't really do much running on the road...does a number on my knees from having tight IT bands

WoohooSoCal · 07-01-2016, 04:58 PM

Squats..do them...all of them, all the time.

Flying Ace · 07-01-2016, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insanecoder

Dudes that sit on their arse in sport seats and drive BMWs .. ask these guys about squats?

yeah, you can spot me any day.

ErvGotti · 07-03-2016, 04:11 AM

As stated from others you can use front squats or overhead squats to supplement your squat routine.

But if you don't have good ankle and thoracic mobility you can definitely develop pains from front squats.

It took me month's of stretching 3-5x a day to gain that mobility needed in my ankles and spine, having a office job did not help the cause, my co workers were like wtf are you doing.

If your looking for explosiveness you should look into a sprinting routine. I've added a sprinting routine 3x a week and it's help with explosiveness and strength in my squats. I use it as a conditioning tool after lifting.

WoohooSoCal · 07-03-2016, 01:37 PM

Hill sprints...FTW.

UncleWede · 07-05-2016, 11:44 AM

I was harkening back to days of yore, when I went to school at UCSB. I would run about 3 miles on the beach, then go to the front entrance of the school. There was a bicycle trail that went form the beach to the top of the campus, about 300' climb in about 200 yards. 10 sets up and down there. LOVED how my thighs looked after those 4 years of training, haven't ever found something quite the same again.

07-01-2016, 12:36 PM	#1
///WORK-F36 Captain 319 Rep 822 Posts Drives: Glacier silver F36 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	Front squats vs back squats So wanted everyone's opinion on this. I typically do back squats 90% of the time....I can lift heavier, and they just feel more comfortable for me overall. Do you guys prefer one over the other, and do you feel there's really a big advantage to doing both, or just sticking with one over the other???
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07-01-2016, 01:04 PM	#5
insanecoder Banned 1410 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: 340isDrive Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast USA iTrader: (0)	Dudes that sit on their arse in sport seats and drive BMWs .. ask these guys about squats?
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07-01-2016, 01:05 PM	#6
KingOfJericho Major General 2458 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	As far as what I prefer, obviously back squat because it's more comfortable. That said, front squat get your core much more involved. I do a mix (crossfit). __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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07-01-2016, 01:06 PM	#8
gthal Major General 1909 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	I do both. Front squats are more quad focused and back squats more hamstring, glutes, etc. Obviously both hit everything but the focus feels different to me. High bar back squats are a staple in my routine every week. Front bar gets added in for 8 weeks and then swapped out for something else for 8 weeks (like barbell lunges or something like that). I do think front squats help round out your leg training. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3
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07-01-2016, 01:56 PM	#15
Ryan135i Private 23 Rep 74 Posts Drives: E90 325d LCI Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I do split weeks, ME and DE. Low bar back squats and oly grip front squats. Can't do high bar back anymore due to neck problems. Tend not to go too heavy with fronts and use them to build core strength with higher (cardio) reps. __________________ 2010 E90 LCI 325d
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07-01-2016, 02:01 PM	#16
koreez88 Всем привет ;) 149 Rep 3,358 Posts Drives: Tesla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (12)	Front squats keep your back safe while working the core and legs. Those are definitely less comfortable since the bar tends to choke you and initially there's some muscle pain from where the bar sits on shoulders, but that goes away after a while. Fairly good flexibility is needed to get to proper depth and full rack position on shoulders (Please don't do that bodybuilding arms crossed shit).
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07-01-2016, 04:58 PM	#18
WoohooSoCal Second Lieutenant 238 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 SS II / SS Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Squats..do them...all of them, all the time. Attached Images
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07-03-2016, 04:11 AM	#20
ErvGotti Major 122 Rep 1,360 Posts Drives: 2008 135i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Aviano iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 135i [6.00]	As stated from others you can use front squats or overhead squats to supplement your squat routine. But if you don't have good ankle and thoracic mobility you can definitely develop pains from front squats. It took me month's of stretching 3-5x a day to gain that mobility needed in my ankles and spine, having a office job did not help the cause, my co workers were like wtf are you doing. If your looking for explosiveness you should look into a sprinting routine. I've added a sprinting routine 3x a week and it's help with explosiveness and strength in my squats. I use it as a conditioning tool after lifting.
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07-03-2016, 01:37 PM	#21
WoohooSoCal Second Lieutenant 238 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 SS II / SS Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Hill sprints...FTW.
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07-05-2016, 11:44 AM	#22
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18404 Rep 9,420 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	I was harkening back to days of yore, when I went to school at UCSB. I would run about 3 miles on the beach, then go to the front entrance of the school. There was a bicycle trail that went form the beach to the top of the campus, about 300' climb in about 200 yards. 10 sets up and down there. LOVED how my thighs looked after those 4 years of training, haven't ever found something quite the same again.
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