Just started to do Muscle Endurance (second time last night). When I put the barbell behind my neck and rest it on my shoulders (for squats), my right arm cramps up and becomes numb. I switched to the dumbells after this happen 2-3 times. Anyone else with this problem? Any suggestions?
Barbell behind neck causing cramps and numbness
- Thread starter luv2tri
- Start date
August
Cathlete
WOAH, are you me or what?
I pretty much wrote exactly what you wrote in a different thread! In fact, I had to double-check and make sure this wasn't the thread I started! :7
Yes, yes, yes. I'm having the same problem, and weirdly enough, it's in my right arm, too. I'm left-handed...not sure if that means anything. You aren't...left-handed are you?! ;-)
I tried with lighter weight but like with heavier weight, my arm cramped up and felt swollen to the point of where I either feel the need to put my arms farther away from my head (farther down the shaft towards the plates), or when it gets really bad, I have to put my arm straight down momentarily (which obviously ain't the safest thing to do with a barbell on yer shoulders! x( ) It's totally irritating and makes for a bad leg workout! I mean, all I can concentrate on is my painful, swelling arm!
Anyway, the advice I got was :
1) Try squeezing your lats together
2) Try putting a towel on your shoulders, or else get a pad for the shaft
3) Make sure you're not pulling down on the shaft
4) Try holding the barbell in front (under the chin)
I've tried 1-3 and none of them worked for me. Next time I have leg day, I'm going to try #4, but I'm not sure I'll be able to maintain the weight up like that. I've always had to switch back to my dumbbells, but they're a lighter weight than I'd like to squat/lunge.
I'm sorry you have this problem, but man, can I say that I am happy I'm not the only one! }(
If you find out anything, please tell me!!
I pretty much wrote exactly what you wrote in a different thread! In fact, I had to double-check and make sure this wasn't the thread I started! :7
Yes, yes, yes. I'm having the same problem, and weirdly enough, it's in my right arm, too. I'm left-handed...not sure if that means anything. You aren't...left-handed are you?! ;-)
I tried with lighter weight but like with heavier weight, my arm cramped up and felt swollen to the point of where I either feel the need to put my arms farther away from my head (farther down the shaft towards the plates), or when it gets really bad, I have to put my arm straight down momentarily (which obviously ain't the safest thing to do with a barbell on yer shoulders! x( ) It's totally irritating and makes for a bad leg workout! I mean, all I can concentrate on is my painful, swelling arm!
Anyway, the advice I got was :
1) Try squeezing your lats together
2) Try putting a towel on your shoulders, or else get a pad for the shaft
3) Make sure you're not pulling down on the shaft
4) Try holding the barbell in front (under the chin)
I've tried 1-3 and none of them worked for me. Next time I have leg day, I'm going to try #4, but I'm not sure I'll be able to maintain the weight up like that. I've always had to switch back to my dumbbells, but they're a lighter weight than I'd like to squat/lunge.
I'm sorry you have this problem, but man, can I say that I am happy I'm not the only one! }(
If you find out anything, please tell me!!
Well now I know I am not the only one, it makes me feel better. Yes, I am left handed, but I checked my post and realize that it is my left arm, not my right. Sorry about that.
I am going to check out some body building forums and see if I get a response. I'll post it here if I get a response. Thanks.
I am going to check out some body building forums and see if I get a response. I'll post it here if I get a response. Thanks.
Here is what I found: No one size fits all answer, but it seems alot of people have this problem. There are a few different ways to do squats. And a final thought, as I was searching the bodybuilding forum, I found that alot of people do not like doing squats.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=786400&highlight=squats+numbness
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=700783&highlight=squats+numbness
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=531174&highlight=squats+numbness
I am going to keep trying. I will also do the squats with dumbells and maybe try the front squat.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=786400&highlight=squats+numbness
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=700783&highlight=squats+numbness
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=531174&highlight=squats+numbness
I am going to keep trying. I will also do the squats with dumbells and maybe try the front squat.
kathryn
Cathlete
You should be resting the barbell on your rear shoulders and upper lats, not on the neck itself at all. A bar pad, as others have suggested, helps hold it in the right place with less pressure. You can also try folding a bath-size towel lengthwise and draping it over your shoulders and putting the bar on that.