Squats - padding?

[Mojooo]

Does anyone use padding when doing barbell back squats?

From a quick search I can see I am not the only one who struggles to get a comfortable position with the barbell.

Recommendations go from a towel to a foam pad to a fulyl fledged custome piece of kit liek the Mata Ray squat pad

The main problem I have is trying to get a consistent squat becuause each time I do it the bar end sup in a different place!

Any thoughts?

[Animal]

Pipe lagging? Why not wear a sweatshirt or fleece when you squat?

[didelydoo]

Persevere with no padding- you'll get used to the bar in no time.

[LordGrover]

As above, perservere without if at all possible. Any padding will push the bar up and back putting you in an uncomfortable position which will become dangerous when you get up to heavy weights.

[Ordinary_Chap]

didelydoo said:

Persevere with no padding- you'll get used to the bar in no time.

I agree.

Although I sometimes use a squat bar which is curved around the shoulder area. Saying that though my back is often marked and I get some heavy bruising from squatting although I put that down to me being a big sissy!

[EarlOfHazard]

no padding, and i also take my shoes off. so my energy goes in to lifting the barbell, rather than compressing my trainer

[anonymous-user]

I always find that with no padding that it only hurts when it's not across my shoulders properly.

[Ordinary_Chap]

garyhun said:

I always find that with no padding that it only hurts when it's not across my shoulders properly.

Maybe I need some proper shoulders? (afterall mine are a little puny!)

[didelydoo]

My upper back has developed a squat related rhino hide Looks like I've been beaten up!

[kbf1981]

Mojooo said:

Does anyone use padding when doing barbell back squats?

From a quick search I can see I am not the only one who struggles to get a comfortable position with the barbell.

Recommendations go from a towel to a foam pad to a fulyl fledged custome piece of kit liek the Mata Ray squat pad

The main problem I have is trying to get a consistent squat becuause each time I do it the bar end sup in a different place!

Any thoughts?

Just get used to it - using padding moves the bars centre of gravity and is also (imho) a bit girly. I'd just tough it out, and build bigger traps.

Make sure the bar is in the correct position as well - it should be on the MEATY portion of your traps, not right at the top, resting on the base of your neck, but layed across the thickest part of your traps.

[didelydoo]

kbf1981 said:

Just get used to it - using padding moves the bars centre of gravity and is also (imho) a bit girly. I'd just tough it out, and build bigger traps.

Make sure the bar is in the correct position as well - it should be on the MEATY portion of your traps, not right at the top, resting on the base of your neck, but layed across the thickest part of your traps.

Depends if you're squatting high or low bar- I'd put the bar where it's comfy to start with.

[Jasandjules]

Are you using a squat machine or free weights?

[anonymous-user]

Just realised I use pipe lagging. Not as hard as I thought I was

[SignalGruen]

Also depends on the thickness of the padding - our gym has 2. One is way too thick for my liking but the other has a little bit of padding which certainly helps with comfort. I've used something called a Squat Blaster (I think) in the past and that certainly was a big old thing - moved the bar so high that it felt like I was hitting the quads in a different way.

[Mojooo]

I am using free weights and the set up is in my garden so I am not too bothered abot looking like a girl!

I am using a normal barbell not a meaty Olympic one. I think a large olympic one would probably relieve some of the pressure because its obviously bigger.

[Driller]

I use a freeweight bar and have to use a folded towel under it otherwise it seriously digs into my (bony) shoulder blades. Don't see any harm in it and it beats lacerations!

[Meoricin]

When I first started lifting, I used padding for squats because it dug in and hurt otherwise. I stopped this when I started Uni and decided I'd better get over it because there was no way I was happy to lift by myself in the University gym, and use padding.

I think it took about two weeks (6 squatting sessions at the time) before it stopped hurting and I got the positioning down.

I'd say just stick with it and you'll be fine.

[Jasandjules]

Mojooo said:

I am using free weights and the set up is in my garden so I am not too bothered abot looking like a girl!

In which case I would use a small bit of pipe lagging on it. It aids with grip as well, as long as it's thin enough it shouldn't affect the wieght balance on the car.

[Halb]

the manta ray is a nice piece of kit, I have one. I also have a foam sleeve for when it's bear day.
Have a play around, experiment, a 1 or 2 inch foam sleeve is not that much of amazon.

[squitalberg]

I have a Squat Blaster and I find it relieves the pain of squating, far better than a piece of pipe foam
or a towel. If you are considering buying a Squat Blaster see the reviews on Amazon UK