Front squatting with safety squat bar

[6655321]

I like front squats but it still bothers my wrists even after stretching, changing my grip width, only using 2 fingers under the bar, etc. It's not unbearable or anything, just an annoyance.

My gym has an SSB that no one ever uses. I have seen videos on youtube where people front squat with the SSB. Is there any reason not to just use the SSB, or should I just harden the **** up and stick with the barbell? It looks like the weight might not be as far out in front of you with the SSB because of the camber, so you lose a little of the leverage disadvantage. Anything I'm not thinking of? If so I will try the straps method to take some stress off the wrists.

[OCG]

Straps are a useful way of getting around wrist flexibility.

[Simon Rest]

Doesn't the ssb offset the plates? Wouldn't that asked the mechanics?

[MBasic]

Doesn't the ssb offset the plates? Wouldn't that asked the mechanics?

I've some youtube vids of guys doing it. . . front squat w/ SSB.

As OCG said, use straps.

OR genie/California squats w/ the arms folded ????

[dhalli]

arms folded, thumbs under the bars... takes a little getting used to, but totally fine.

[Ryan Arnold]

arms folded, thumbs under the bars... takes a little getting used to, but totally fine.

If your desire to front squat is that bad - just do the above.

This is the video I found online - seems like the way (doubt there could be another way) you are talking about and its pretty ridiculous:

Matt Mills SSB Front Squat Tuorial - YouTube

Jamming a huge pad into your neck and cranking your head up while trying to balance weight in an odd way that the bar was not designed to do just seems like way too much effort to go through in order to front squat. I feel like you are literally willingly choking yourself in order to do the exercise

[MBasic]

kinda makes no sense.

The COG of the plates move closer to the the hip, w/ the SSB backwards . . .effectively shortening the torso lever but yet femurs are the same.
And doing it backwards move the plates back to the rear. . .
All this would make you lean over more (SSB+FS), than say a regular barbell front squat.

Seems like you are undoing everything a front squat does that's beneficial (stress quads, work your thoracic ext., etc)
Would be better off just using the SSB the way it was designed to be used (somekind of more upright squat, that's comfortable to perform)

IMO, these suck, that is all

[Strega]

Wendler likes them:

The Safety Squat Bar ? Increase your Deadlift and Squat - JimWendler.com


I just started using the EliteFTS Yoke Bar primarily because I'm 56 and started lifting later in life. Coming from poor flexibility it solved a specific problem. I can't see how it would hurt to try and see if works for you.

[Adam Skillin]

Wendler likes them:

The Safety Squat Bar ? Increase your Deadlift and Squat - JimWendler.com

Mr. Wendler's not talking about turning the thing backwards and putting the neck pad against your Adam's apple...

[elVarouza]

A normal SSB squat is pretty similar to a front squat. Why not just do those...