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I've been doing a lot of these lately, finally was able to get the clean grip down (was doing the cross-armed grip/technique before). What are your thoughts on this movement?
I feel like I'm the only one in there doing these. I go to 24hr Fitness (two different locations) which attracts a general fitness level-type person (very few serious powerlifters...and I'm definitely not one) and it's probably a 20-to-1 ratio of people doing barbell back squats vs front squats. I've read many good things about this particular movement (quad dominant, excellent for your core), yet it's so rare to see people performing these. Why is that and are they commonly performed in your gym?
It is rare to see just because it is. It is considered an accessory to the back squat, with more concentration on the quads, but maybe many people just do not feel they need the accessory lift. It is not a replacement for back squats for sure. But for many people, including me, it is an ackward exercise. I think some oly lifting people will find them useful and they probably do them more often, I think body builders may also for quad development, not sure though.
If I am doing something other than a back squat, I like zercher or overhead squats. But it is rare that I do another type of squat other than back, even then, it will just be period based, like will only do it for three months or so.
Love front squats and goblet squats, two of the best core exercises out there. Personally I like doing front squats because they help with my core, balance issues and mobility issues. Goblet squats really address mobility issues. Other reason I like them is because if I even think of doing back squats I immediately put on 10 pounds. If I was a power lifter or into body building that would be fine, but for hiking, running and climbing I don't need the extra weight in my glutes.
During the winter I worked out at a big fitness chain and could count on one hand how many people I saw doing front squats.
In general, I find that people don't put as much time and effort into their legs as they do their chest, or biceps for example. People thinking running is sufficient to work their legs and build them up.
Front squats are a rare sight in my opinion for two reasons: 1, it's a tough and strenuous movement and people don't want to be bothered with it. 2, people just don't know about it. Most leg workout plans I have seen online don't involve them.
I've been doing a lot of these lately, finally was able to get the clean grip down (was doing the cross-armed grip/technique before). What are your thoughts on this movement?
I feel like I'm the only one in there doing these. I go to 24hr Fitness (two different locations) which attracts a general fitness level-type person (very few serious powerlifters...and I'm definitely not one) and it's probably a 20-to-1 ratio of people doing barbell back squats vs front squats. I've read many good things about this particular movement (quad dominant, excellent for your core), yet it's so rare to see people performing these. Why is that and are they commonly performed in your gym?
At all the gyms where I have worked out, I have only seen one person (who is a powerlifter), do front squats. There are only a handful of people who do back squats. Many people think squats will blow out their knees, so they avoid them. BTW, I think I see less people doing deadlifts than I see doing squats.
It seems like many of the guys at the gym mostly do curls, bench presses and ab exercises.
Last edited by villageidiot1; 06-14-2013 at 12:41 PM..
I'm a female middle-aged average exerciser and while I do back squats, I'm leery of putting relatively heavy weight on the top of my spine, so lately I've been doing more front and goblet squats.
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