Weight placement on plie squats

[BethL]

Cathe, I notice when you do plie squats you often have the barbell in front across your biceps with your elbows foward to help prop it up, or you have the weights end-to-end in front of you somewhat under your chin. Does the weight in front have any special significance for this exercise? I find it much more comfortable to have the barbell across my shoulders in back, but wonder if that shifts the emphasis. With the weights in front my arms tire long before my legs.

Thanks, and I'm LOVING STS!!!

Beth

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Keep shocking it with STS Beth

As far as the weight placement on Plie Squats, acomfortable grip should be your priority for this move. That being said, the reason we have the weight in front is because the plie squat is more of a straight down vertical drop (unlike a regular squat which has you slightly hinged forward as you lower down with your toes/feet aimed forward). Due to the wider plie leg stance with the knees/toes turned slightly to the outside, the pelvis is in a position to lower straight downward without a forward hinge. This non-forward hinged position sometimes puts stress on the low back at the deepest portion of the squat if the barbell weight is put on the upper back vs to the front of the body. Having the barbell in the front helps to counterbalance the weight shift at the base of the squat and reduces the tendancy to arch the back. But again, YOUR comfort comes first. If you feel no discomfort then keep the barbell on your back.

Hope this helps!

Cathe, I notice when you do plie squats you often have the barbell in front across your biceps with your elbows foward to help prop it up, or you have the weights end-to-end in front of you somewhat under your chin. Does the weight in front have any special significance for this exercise? I find it much more comfortable to have the barbell across my shoulders in back, but wonder if that shifts the emphasis. With the weights in front my arms tire long before my legs.

Thanks, and I'm LOVING STS!!!

Beth

 

[Sunshine1528]

Beth:

I find I have the same "problem" as you do in holding my BB in the front due to shoulder and wrist issues.

I will sometimes use DB's and just hold the near the chest (as if I am at the top of a bicep curl) and do the squats that way. Kinda mimics a BB but easier for me to hold and allows the same "up and down" effect vs tilting as Cathe mentioned.