I love my new squat stands!!

[NinjaMom]

I did S&H legs today and used my new Valor squat stands for the first time. I used 85lbs for squats and 65lbs for lunges & plies. I really felt I could go heavier, especially on the squats but my traps were not happy. I used a bar pad plus a towel around my neck but it got really uncomfortable toward the end. Is this something that will get better over time? I still need to work on my loading/unloading the bar on the rack

Hey A-Jock & NancyAZ...Are you enjoying your squat stands? I still need to get a higher bench so I can use them for bench press too.

Bring on STS Legs

JJ

 

[My2girls]

Wow JJ, that is amazing to me that you can squat so much weight! I am very impressed!

 

[NinjaMom]

AWWWW...Mary! You're so sweet

BTW, I forgot to wish you and DH a Happy Anniversary. Hope you had a great one.

JJ

 

[LauraMax]

JJ, try placing the bar a little lower on your shoulders. It really shouldn't touch your lower neck, it should be resting just below your traps.

 

[Miss Lee]

Holy Moley JJ -- that's AWESOME!! You're really strong!! And yeah, it's hard to feel comfortable with a heavy barbell on your traps. I can't do that anymore with the plate in my neck -- it gives me a funky feeling in my shoulders and all the way down my arms.

 

[NancyAZ]

I did S&H legs today and used my new Valor squat stands for the first time. I used 85lbs for squats and 65lbs for lunges & plies. I really felt I could go heavier, especially on the squats but my traps were not happy. I used a bar pad plus a towel around my neck but it got really uncomfortable toward the end. Is this something that will get better over time? I still need to work on my loading/unloading the bar on the rack

Hey A-Jock & NancyAZ...Are you enjoying your squat stands? I still need to get a higher bench so I can use them for bench press too.

Bring on STS Legs

JJ

Aren't they great?! I haven't done a super heavy workout with them, yet, but I use them every time a barbell is called for and it's so much better. The only problem I have is that the secondary hooks that stick out -- the lower ones with the padding on them? -- they get in my way when I'm walking into or out of the stands. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

[NinjaMom]

JJ, try placing the bar a little lower on your shoulders. It really shouldn't touch your lower neck, it should be resting just below your traps.

Thanks Laura....I obviously had the bar up too high & sitting right on my traps I'll correct that next time.

JJ

 

[NinjaMom]

Holy Moley JJ -- that's AWESOME!! You're really strong!! And yeah, it's hard to feel comfortable with a heavy barbell on your traps. I can't do that anymore with the plate in my neck -- it gives me a funky feeling in my shoulders and all the way down my arms.

Thanks girlfriend!! You are so good for my ego

Oh dear....I didn't know you had a plate in your neck I can see where you would have to be real careful with putting weight on your shoulders. Thankfully, Cathe has many leg workouts that kick butt with little or no weight Do low plane lunges ring a bell? Ouch!

JJ

 

[NinjaMom]

Aren't they great?! I haven't done a super heavy workout with them, yet, but I use them every time a barbell is called for and it's so much better. The only problem I have is that the secondary hooks that stick out -- the lower ones with the padding on them? -- they get in my way when I'm walking into or out of the stands. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Nancy~

Do you have the lower hooks facing in toward where you walk into to get the bar? Mine are facing outward so they are parallel to me as I back into the racks? Does that make sense?

Do you ever feel like the bar is going to tip when you are loading up one side? I have to alternate adding to each side rather than one side at a time. I suppose it is because the Troy Lite bar is only 5 pounds?

JJ

 

[LeanneM]

Do you ever feel like the bar is going to tip when you are loading up one side? I have to alternate adding to each side rather than one side at a time. I suppose it is because the Troy Lite bar is only 5 pounds?

JJ

I've had to do the same thing . . . first a plate on one side, and then on the other.

I've only used them a few times now, but I love them!

 

[NancyAZ]

Yes, JJ, that's where I have the second set of bars. It might be because I'm on the short side that they get in the way sometimes.

As far as loading the bar with equalized weights as you go, I think that is pretty standard. We have a regular chest press weight bench and a long, heavy bar and we have always had to do the alternating load/unload with it.