can you subsitute squat tack?

[angelaashley]

I have a workout seat bench that holds the barbell like to do bench presses. I was wondering if I could use that for a squat rack. The only thing is I don't think the bench part is removable but I don't have room for a squat rack. I would really like to lift heavy for squats if that would work. What do you think? I am open to any opinions also. Thanks so much!

 

[princessbear]

That seems dangerous in my opinion. I think the barbell would be too low so you would literally have to squat it up - then putting it back, you would have to squat it down, AFTER lining it up correctly ... not to mention maneuvering around the bench. I don't have a squat rack either - but am hoping to get one by fall for my 2nd round of STS

 

[kathryn]

It sounds like a back injury waiting to happen.

Either use a weighted vest to add to the weight you can safely lift overhead, or get a pair of squat stands like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Valor-Athletics-BD-3-Squat-Stands/dp/B001GN3UCA (they are available for less elsewhere, I think).

 

[pepnchar]

Not safe at all -- it remind me of what I used to do until I got my squat rack -- I had a bench to do bench presses on too -- I raised it up on my aerobic step and several risers. Not safe not safe not safe! My life flashed before my eyes every time I did a leg workout.

 

[angelaashley]

I like those squat stands and the look like you could put them away easily. It just looks so much like me bench that has these on it. I am 5"1 so you are saying the difference is the squat stands are taller? I have never measured my bench but i do know that you have to put barbell on the 2 u shaped ends and line it up. a little hard to do when you can't really see.

 

[kathryn]

I like those squat stands and the look like you could put them away easily. It just looks so much like me bench that has these on it. I am 5"1 so you are saying the difference is the squat stands are taller? I have never measured my bench but i do know that you have to put barbell on the 2 u shaped ends and line it up. a little hard to do when you can't really see.

The squat stands may look like the bar stands on your bench, but if you can't detach the stands from your bench, there's no way you could safely position yourself under the bar.

With the stands, you set the barbell on the stands at about shoulder height or a bit lower (and can add weight to the bar once it is racked so you don't have to lift the loaded bar to the stands). Then you step forward under the bar, get the bar on your shoulders and stand up, then back out of the rack. When you're finished with your set, you step forward to the stands and rerack the bar.

 

[TarHeelMom]

Kathryn!

The squat stands may look like the bar stands on your bench, but if you can't detach the stands from your bench, there's no way you could safely position yourself under the bar.

With the stands, you set the barbell on the stands at about shoulder height or a bit lower (and can add weight to the bar once it is racked so you don't have to lift the loaded bar to the stands). Then you step forward under the bar, get the bar on your shoulders and stand up, then back out of the rack. When you're finished with your set, you step forward to the stands and rerack the bar.

Hey Kathryn, how are you liking those freestanding squat rack stands you bought a while back? Can you refresh me on what they were, if you like them? Thanks so much!

 

[kathryn]

Hey Kathryn, how are you liking those freestanding squat rack stands you bought a while back? Can you refresh me on what they were, if you like them? Thanks so much!

They are the ones I linked to above (though I didn't get them from Amazon).

I actually haven't used them much, because I've been doing dumbell workouts and workouts that don't use heavy barbells.
I do like how compactly they store!

 

[NancyAZ]

<elbowing into thread> I have the squat stands and also had not yet had a chance to use them much. The few times I did I liked them and found them much more convenient and comfortable to use than trying to lift the bar over my head. Now that I've been doing my 1RM testing, I am so very glad that I have them. They were well worth the investment, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[TarHeelMom]

Nancy & Kathryn!

<elbowing into thread> I have the squat stands and also had not yet had a chance to use them much. The few times I did I liked them and found them much more convenient and comfortable to use than trying to lift the bar over my head. Now that I've been doing my 1RM testing, I am so very glad that I have them. They were well worth the investment, as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you girls -- you've totally enabled my "Valentine's Day gift"!!! Now I just need to alert my DH that he doesn't need to give this matter a BIT of thought!!!!

 

[angelaashley]

<elbowing into thread> I have the squat stands and also had not yet had a chance to use them much. The few times I did I liked them and found them much more convenient and comfortable to use than trying to lift the bar over my head. Now that I've been doing my 1RM testing, I am so very glad that I have them. They were well worth the investment, as far as I'm concerned.

OMG! I just recieved my squat stands and I should have came here first to read the posts. Anyway I got the same ones you have and there were no directions on how to use them. So i stepped back into the middle to get the bar on my shoulder and when i was done. I panic bacause i can't see behind me how to get the bar back on the rack. Now I am scared to use my squat stands, it is a scary feeling.

 

[banslug]

angelashley, DON'T PANIC! Although I don't have the squats stands everybody here is talking about (rather, I use my power tower and put my barbell on the dip handles)! DON'T PANIC! When you're done with your set, slowly SLOWLY turn around with the barbell on your shoulders and face the squat stands so you can see them. That will make it easier to put the barbell back into position.

Gayle

 

[kathryn]

I panic bacause i can't see behind me how to get the bar back on the rack. Now I am scared to use my squat stands, it is a scary feeling.

That would be a scary feelling,. but it shouldn't keep you from using your rack.

Next time you use it, be sure to step under the bar from behind, load it on your shoulders, back out, do your set, then step forward to rerack. It should feel much safer.

 

[angelaashley]

angelashley, DON'T PANIC! Although I don't have the squats stands everybody here is talking about (rather, I use my power tower and put my barbell on the dip handles)! DON'T PANIC! When you're done with your set, slowly SLOWLY turn around with the barbell on your shoulders and face the squat stands so you can see them. That will make it easier to put the barbell back into position.

Gayle

Thanks, I also realized that I had the stands adjusted too short or my height causing me to have to squat to put barbell in place. This was very difficult considering i wasn't facing it either. the barbell started getting heavier and heavier. I have adjusted the height to shoulder level and going to try...maybe tomorrow. still nervous but i will try again.