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Thread: Hand position in the squat

  1. #1
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    Default Hand position in the squat

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    I know you teach the thumbless grip with the wrists at a neutral angle, but if an individual is capable of wrapping the thumb under the bar and squatting comfortably, should they do so?

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    Do you know why I teach the thumbless grip?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    Do you know why I teach the thumbless grip?
    To minimize pressure on the wrist joint and forearm, yes?

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    And the elbow. So, proceed as you wish.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    And the elbow. So, proceed as you wish.
    I only ask because it seems many lifters can squat great poundage with the thumb under without issue. Then again that might come down to individual flexibility or just genetic structure I suppose.

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    You want me to change my recommendation based on what many lifters seem to be able to do?

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Mastiff View Post
    I know you teach the thumbless grip with the wrists at a neutral angle, but if an individual is capable of wrapping the thumb under the bar and squatting comfortably, should they do so?
    Many people squat like this anyway, so it's obviously not going to immediately destroy you. Just the same, it's not optimal. I did it for several years, and while it didn't cripple me, my wrists did feel better when I finally switched. Work on your flexibility if you can't get the right position.

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Mastiff View Post
    I only ask because it seems many lifters can squat great poundage with the thumb under without issue.
    It's typically not an issue for high bar squats. Are they doing HBBS or LBBS?

  9. #9
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    I switched to a thumbs under grip sometime last year. I think I tried it on a whim and found that it felt a lot more stable. Never had any elbow problems, though my wrists will hurt with heavy weights unless I wrap them. So I wrap them.

  10. #10
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    The hand, arm, shoulder position in the low bar squat bothers my shoulders and elbows (past injuries). I tried to work through it but got tired of irritating these joints every time. So now I just put the bar on my traps and squat the damn weight.

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