[MIJ]

Anyone here ever do these ? I've read great things about them and decide to give them a try for awhile.

Unbelievably difficult ... I was VERY embarrassed at how little I had to use, LOL. But it's new for me with alot of room to progress with so it will be interesting to see what results from it.

[CRUNCH]

Those are an accessory exercise to snatches. They'll really tell you how much back flexibility you have (or don't!). It's a great lift though!

[jasonschaffin]

Did them for awhile about a year ago. Not fun thats for sure, but my shoulders always got to tired before anything else and I felt like it was getting me nowhere. May give them a try some again another time though.

[ryansm]

I do them all of the time, balance is key as well as proper positioning of the shoulders. It helps if you have weightlifting shoes when it comes to balance.

[MIJ]

I really am enjoying the challenge of these. I tried them a couple years ago and my ego wouldn't let me do them because of seeing such a small amount of weight on the bar. Besides that, I was training at home at the time I didn't have the saftey of a good power rack like I do now. In the crowded area I was training then I could have ended up through the patio doors and in the driveway , LOL.

I'm still not sure of the foot spacing I should be going for ... if I go wide I can keep my feet flat on the floor , but my knees start to go in at rock bottom. If I keep them only about shoulder width my heels come up and balance is tougher. Both ways, though, I've been going ass-to-the floor .

A very difficult movement and I plan to give them at least a two or three months of hard work. Something this damn hard should really do you some good .

I seen a couple articles that say to shoot for a set of 15 with your bodyweight but my first, more realistic goal is a good set of 8-10 with 135. At this point, I can't even imagine doing that for one rep, LOL.

[ryansm]

Weight should be on the heels, it should never vary from that position.

[whale]

Exactly on the weight issue it should be right were your tib/fib conect to your feet. Biomechanically that is the most balanced position on your stance. I do not like these from a training stand point because of the risk of rotator issues but if you are using the right weight they do work relly good for all muscle groups

[Jstrong20]

Originally Posted by ryansm

I do them all of the time, balance is key as well as proper positioning of the shoulders. It helps if you have weightlifting shoes when it comes to balance.

I wanted to give these a try but my shoulder flexibility sucks! I was curious what exercises olympic lifters use to help with shoulder flexibility. I was thinking of laying on a bench with light weight and stretching my arms back as far as I can with light weight.

[chevelleman]

I did these for a while to help with my flexibility in my shoulders and legs. Getting parallel was no problem after doing these for a while. If you do them with light weight for sets of 10 to 15 they will help you tons. I think you might have just talked me back into doing them again.

[ryansm]

Originally Posted by Jstrong20

I wanted to give these a try but my shoulder flexibility sucks! I was curious what exercises olympic lifters use to help with shoulder flexibility. I was thinking of laying on a bench with light weight and stretching my arms back as far as I can with light weight.

Well the Snatch if done over and over again, which we do, will help with flexability. We also do some hangs from the squat rack by gripping wide and hanging there to really stretch that area. Again shoulder flexability just takes time and practice.

[BigVrunga]

Just tried these for the first time yesterday. I like it! It was tought to pull of 15 reps, with just the bar! More of a balance issue, really, but I can definitely see how this will add to overall core strength.

Im going to make them part of my routine for sure.

BV

[jminis]

I've tried these and I feel my shoulders get tired before my legs. But to each his own.

[BigVrunga]

I did feel it pinching my shoulder a bit. I had to find the best placement for my hands inorder to feel comfortable.

[jminis]

Try it with dumbells it's even harder.

[CDONDICI]

OH squats are great, you should try actual snatchs, they are probaby my favorite exercise, regular or one arm BB snatches, I just tried them a few days ago they are awesome.

[Aeternitatis]

I will never do overhead squats again and will never recommend them to anybody.

Years ago I tried them out. It was a light weight that offered almost to stimulation to my legs and a moderate amount to my shoulders. Second set and somethign went wrong... there went my shoulder. Dislocations are incredibly painful and the residual injury lasted about 6 months. I really don't see any reason to practice this exercise.

I'm a fan of olympic lifts and all of that. But there's something about OH squats that doesn't sit right. It's like an injury just waiting to happen.

[CDONDICI]

Originally Posted by Aeternitatis

I will never do overhead squats again and will never recommend them to anybody.

Years ago I tried them out. It was a light weight that offered almost to stimulation to my legs and a moderate amount to my shoulders. Second set and somethign went wrong... there went my shoulder. Dislocations are incredibly painful and the residual injury lasted about 6 months. I really don't see any reason to practice this exercise.

I'm a fan of olympic lifts and all of that. But there's something about OH squats that doesn't sit right. It's like an injury just waiting to happen.

You probably never built up the stabilation muscles in your shoulder properly or you were just genetically predisposed to this typ of injury. Not sure how valid it is but I have read that Olympic lifters have the lowest rate of injury compared to powerlifters and bodybuilders.

[ryansm]

Originally Posted by Aeternitatis

I will never do overhead squats again and will never recommend them to anybody.

Years ago I tried them out. It was a light weight that offered almost to stimulation to my legs and a moderate amount to my shoulders. Second set and somethign went wrong... there went my shoulder. Dislocations are incredibly painful and the residual injury lasted about 6 months. I really don't see any reason to practice this exercise.

I'm a fan of olympic lifts and all of that. But there's something about OH squats that doesn't sit right. It's like an injury just waiting to happen.

They are very beneficial to oly lifters. It sounds like your form was not correct, which caused your injury. They are certainly not for the novice lifter. (not saying you are)