Squat - Elbow Pain

[hehejo]

Every time I squat > 100kg my left elbow starts to hurt after the set. After today the pain even spread through the biceps up to the shoulder.

Here are 2 videos from today (104kg)

https://vimeo.com/55636846

https://vimeo.com/55641763

I have tried different grip widths and tried to keep the wrist as straight as my flexibility allows, but nothing helped.

If I can't fix this I guess I'll have to switch to high bar... I really hope someone can point out what I'm doing wrong.

Oh and excuse the ghetto set up, there are not enough weights unless I tie dumbells to the bar. I'm only here another 3 weeks after that I should be able to get a proper setup.

[Jimmy Tereyla]

Every time I squat > 100kg my left elbow starts to hurt after the set. After today the pain even spread through the biceps up to the shoulder.

Here are 2 videos from today (104kg)

https://vimeo.com/55636846

https://vimeo.com/55641763

I have tried different grip widths and tried to keep the wrist as straight as my flexibility allows, but nothing helped.

If I can't fix this I guess I'll have to switch to high bar... I really hope someone can point out what I'm doing wrong.

Oh and excuse the ghetto set up, there are not enough weights unless I tie dumbells to the bar. I'm only here another 3 weeks after that I should be able to get a proper setup.

First thing - about your "ghetto" set up... I'd call that a dangerous set up. I'd stop that as soon as you can.. if those weights get swinging when the weight is heavy, you're risking a very serious incident...

About your elbows, make sure you watch:
http://startingstrength.com/index.ph...t_bar_position

Just about everyone can squat low bar without any pain. I've had elbow pain before and the fix was a narrower grip. I am VERY inflexible, but I'm able to get myself into a position that doesn't aggravate my elbows. You indicate you get your wrists as straight as you can... you need to get them straighter.

[hehejo]

I have watched that video a few times now and I can't seem to get it right (The grip that is). Even with just a broomstick I feel the pressure in my elbow and shoulder. Either I am doing something terribly wrong and I don't notice it or my shoulder flexibility needs serious work.

Unless I know what to do I can't continue with the low bar squats, it has ruined the rest of the workout for the last week.

[Jimmy Tereyla]

Any injury history?

[hehejo]

Any injury history?

No.

I tried to do the shoulder dislocation stretch with a broom, I am very poor at it compared to my friend.

Could the pain come from a flexibility issue? Then I guess I'll just do high bar and stretch for a few weeks until that is sorted out. Or should I try a wide grip like westside barbell recommends? Or is that only suited for wide squats?

Thanks for trying to help so far. I really hope I can sort this out soon.

[Jimmy Tereyla]

I still think you need to work on straightening/flattening your wrist. The first video clearly shows that both of your wrists are not straight. It's possible that this is putting some of the weight of the bar in the hands (the weight should be entirely out of the hands - they merely act as a support), which places a compressive force on the forearm that is translated down to the elbow. That is the cause of most elbow pain during squatting. Rip describes it as a "headache" type pain.

With that being said, in the meantime, you need to keep squatting, so I suppose high bar is sufficient till you get this worked out. Low Bar > High Bar > not squatting at all