Geezer shoulders, squats and hard massage

[MashedTaters]

I'll spare ya the details and just ask the question. Have any of you with injured, repaired, creaky shoulders ever gotten a hard massage of your pecs/delts? Did it help you get into low bar position?

I found an old thread where Rip recommended this.

Thanks.

[misterponytail]

My squat improved tremendously when my coach had me roll out my pecs with a softball before each workout. (I stand next to a wall with the softball between my pec and the wall and roll around until I've covered the whole area.) I've also been using the Donnie Thompson Bowtie. Those two things have really helped not just my squat, but my overall posture as well...

[carson]

Mr. Ponytail,

The specs on the Spud Bowtie Formal look intriguing. Is the weight charge sizing fairly accurate? I weigh 220 and have a 49" chest. Should I just order the Large? Is it adjustable. Do you wear it throughout the training or only for Squat?

Finally, have you tried the Amazon for Rogue Shoulder Brace or Posture Brace? If so, how do these compare?

[misterponytail]

Is it adjustable. Do you wear it throughout the training or only for Squat?

There's no adjustment; it's basically a strip of knee wrap that's sewed together in a figure eight, so it stretches. (Similar to the Slingshot which is two strips of knee wrap sewed together in parallel.) The casual bowtie is lighter weight (stretches further) and the formal is heavier, stiffer, and rougher. I have the formal version and I wear it while I'm warming up, usually for about ten minutes or so, or until it chafes too much and I have to take it off. I haven't tried one, but I think you could wear the casual version for longer periods of time. BTW, when I first go the Bowtie, I wore it every day, but now I only use it in the gym.

Is the weight charge sizing fairly accurate? I weigh 220 and have a 49" chest. Should I just order the Large?

I think so. I'm 6'5" and 260, and I got a 2XL formal bowtie. I'm right on the edge, so I might be able to use an XL instead. I think if I was to order the casual version I would go with the smaller size.

Finally, have you tried the Amazon for Rogue Shoulder Brace or Posture Brace? If so, how do these compare?

The only thing else I've tried was a yoga strap in a figure eight, but that was narrow and didn't stretch. I know that Rogue resells the Bowtie, but I figured I'd just buy directly from Spud Inc. I bought a set of wrist wraps and a mummy band while I was at it. Shipping was free...

[carson]

Thanks for the helpful information. I'm 71 and cannot do the low bar or even the high bar with a straight bar. All of my squats are with a safety bar. Since I enjoy competing and they won't let me use the safety bar I'm trying everything I can to get the straight bar down my back. I'll probably buy one of these soon.

[MashedTaters]

Thanks, ponytail. I'll try the softball trick. But, the brace? Who knew? My posture is not great so that might be something to consider.

[misterponytail]

To explain a bit further, my coach told me that my pecs were too tight and were pulling my shoulders forward causing me to be in a bad position for squats. Wearing the bowtie and rolling out my pecs has really let me get my shoulders back. I've also been doing various rowing movements to strengthen my upper back. Upper back tightness is really key to a good squat. (And it's amazing what back strength does to help your bench press too!) When I first started to squat, I had no back muscles, so the bar sat right on my spine...ouch! Not a problem any more...

I love Hatfield bars! (Safety squat bars.) One of my favorite things to do is to mount handles on the rack so that I can let the Hatfield bar sit on my shoulders while I hold on to the handles. I can stay more upright that way, plus if I get stuck anywhere in the motion, I can pull myself up with my arms.

[carson]

I can only use safety bars. I'm trying to move out of them. But I have 2 questions: "Why would you wish to do more upright squats?" and "How does one pull oneself up with ones arms, doesn't the safety bar fall off of your back?"

[Meshuggah]

I can only use safety bars. I'm trying to move out of them. But I have 2 questions: "Why would you wish to do more upright squats?" and "How does one pull oneself up with ones arms, doesn't the safety bar fall off of your back?"

I went over with this with you a couple of years ago. That cheap bar you use doesn't have the offset camber that Real Safety Squat Bars have.

[skid]

I went over with this with you a couple of years ago. That cheap bar you use doesn't have the offset camber that Real Safety Squat Bars have.

I've got an inexpensive (but not cheaply built) SSB bar and it has a offset camber. One of the reasons for having the bar is to have hands free use due to the offset camber. I can't imagine making a SSB bar without one! Take a picture of yours Carson.