Interesting... talked to a number of people who have liked these much better than traditional grips. I'm not suggesting anyone who successfully front squats change their grip just for the sake of changing... but for those who have trouble with this exercise, this might be worth a shot.
Front Squats (Brink Grip)
- Thread starter stroutman81
- Start date
I've tried these on a few clients and on myself with not-so-well results in respect to form when compared with the traditional front squats. I find that the shoulder blades are more protracted than the traditional grips. This, I've seen, leads to poor posture as seen in a rounded back, and I do believe that Mr. Brink himself is showing a rounded back in the video.
I realize most people have a problem with flexibility when doing the tradition clean-style front squats, and I try to work with them on this. Normally, it's not so much wrist flexibility, but external rotation capabilities of the shoulder joint.
However, I do enjoy other people getting creative to alleviate some restrictions.
I realize most people have a problem with flexibility when doing the tradition clean-style front squats, and I try to work with them on this. Normally, it's not so much wrist flexibility, but external rotation capabilities of the shoulder joint.
However, I do enjoy other people getting creative to alleviate some restrictions.
As long as your hands don't stop the blood supply to your brain. Evo stopped the blood supply to his brain once during front squats 
I don't think it was comfortable.
With that grip, IMO, you might aswell use the regular BB style grip since that would offer more stability. The hands are held very narrow here. But if you can stabilize it that way and you find it more comfortable and your hands don't squeeze in against your neck (it doesn't take a lot of pressure to limit the blood supply, the arteries there aren't protected by much muscle) then it's cool.
Though, this is just what I'm thinking now, I haven't tried it. I'll try it next time I front squat to see, I might be wrong
I don't think it was comfortable. With that grip, IMO, you might aswell use the regular BB style grip since that would offer more stability. The hands are held very narrow here. But if you can stabilize it that way and you find it more comfortable and your hands don't squeeze in against your neck (it doesn't take a lot of pressure to limit the blood supply, the arteries there aren't protected by much muscle) then it's cool.
Though, this is just what I'm thinking now, I haven't tried it. I'll try it next time I front squat to see, I might be wrong
External rotation capabilities? Seriously? wouldn't that have to be pretty severely impaired for people not to be able to get into that position?
I've heard a lot of people talk about lat flexibility, that some people just don't have the lat flexibility to get their elbows high enough.
I think I protract my shoulderblades when I do front squats, but if I didn't, my hands would be at the sides of my neck, so if I had a bar in my hands, it would be inside my neck, which sounds uncomfortable.
the lat flexibility, or lack of, can be one of the factors on how much external rotation you can perform.
i was just stating that the problem occurs around the shoulder joint, and not the wrist.
AND...hands in the neck...not so bad when you think about, hehe. the shoulder blades normally are protracted to an extent with clean-style FS, however, this new form being introduced increases that to a degree that it's hard to keep proper posture. just something i've observed.
i was just stating that the problem occurs around the shoulder joint, and not the wrist.
AND...hands in the neck...not so bad when you think about, hehe. the shoulder blades normally are protracted to an extent with clean-style FS, however, this new form being introduced increases that to a degree that it's hard to keep proper posture. just something i've observed.
Those look interesting! Thanks for sharing.
I still like OH squats, though. Those are my all time faves
I still like OH squats, though. Those are my all time faves
I'll give this grip a shot, during one of the warm-up sets today, and see what it feels like.
Currently, I cross my arms and then grab the bar "fully" with both hands (and its up more resting on the Delts)
I love the front squat--brings different stimulation to the table. Its been my friend of truth for a long while now.
Thanks, Steve.
Best wishes
Chillen
Currently, I cross my arms and then grab the bar "fully" with both hands (and its up more resting on the Delts)
I love the front squat--brings different stimulation to the table. Its been my friend of truth for a long while now.
Thanks, Steve.
Best wishes
Chillen
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Again, I wouldn't suggest this grip for those who can successfully front squat. I've known a good number of people who simply can't 'get it' no matter what they do.
Blame it on poor coaching (if they actually have one) or whatever...
This is just another option to try.
Blame it on poor coaching (if they actually have one) or whatever...
This is just another option to try.
this video is almsot how I was shown to do front squats, except I was told to overlap the hands (cross them basically).
I cannot just hold the bar there with my hands...I have to support it with my delts, or it just doesn't happen. I have to dip my weight too low, that its pointless do to the squats at that stage.
I cannot just hold the bar there with my hands...I have to support it with my delts, or it just doesn't happen. I have to dip my weight too low, that its pointless do to the squats at that stage.