can i replace squats with another exercise

[mr mass]

im getting alot of lower back pain recently from squats can substitute them with any other exercises for a month or 2 any suggestions

[suncloud]

leg press (plate loaded). also called the SLED.

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/...=0001860715689

[mr mass]

thanks suncloud i appriciate the help only prob i only have a bench and workout from home anything i can do there i tried the zercher ? squat and was still sore

[urbanski]

i get back pain when my form breaks down. i'd suggest troubleshooting your form before giving up on THE MAIN massbuilding movement. post a vid here.

[mr mass]

i get back pain when my form breaks down. i'd suggest troubleshooting your form before giving up on THE MAIN massbuilding movement. post a vid here.

will try thanks maybe it is my form i thought it might be my hight but deadlifts are fine

[suncloud]

i agree with urbanski. its more likely than not form. if you could post a vid that would help. without that, and working out of your home, there's very little i could suggest besides walking lunges (with barbells).

[Rodja]

99% of squat issues are due to poor form.

[mr mass]

i agree with urbanski. its more likely than not form. if you could post a vid that would help. without that, and working out of your home, there's very little i could suggest besides walking lunges (with barbells).

thanks i will try and correct my form and post a vid

[EXDOUS]

yes, Dumbell lunges, and leg press, hack squats, leg ext. these are in my rotation

[CopyCat]

Change it up to front squats. Reduces the ability to cheat with your back so much.

[mr mass]

Change it up to front squats. Reduces the ability to cheat with your back so much.

how do front squats work is that not like the zercher squat? thanks for the help ill try anything always up to try new exercises

[CopyCat]

how do front squats work is that not like the zercher squat? thanks for the help ill try anything always up to try new exercises

Not the same as zercher. Here is a vid, you can find many more just by typing in front squat to youtube. For arm placement some people hold them like in this video, others cross their arms almost like they are doing the universal sign for choking except their hands are not actually on their throat, but past it more towards the shoulders. You'll see it in the vids if you look them up.

YouTube- Front Squats are used for CrossFit as an exercise to improve posture and power during training

[Resolve]

Front squats kick ass. I prefer them over back squats currently.

And your height has nothing to do with squats making your back hurt - bad form and a weak core does though.

[kingk0ng]

There are no replacements for squats. I would go to a Doctor and have my lower back checked out and then perhaps take some time off. It seems like it'd be more of a form problem.

Leg presses are hard on the spine. While you're recuperating you could include lunges for the quads and glute/ham raises for the hamstrings and glutes.

[kingk0ng]

Change it up to front squats. Reduces the ability to cheat with your back so much.

And it also takes out a lot of the core involvement and posterior chain utilization.

[rckvl7]

Along with the front squat, look into one leg squat variations such as the bulgarian split squat(otherwise known as a rear foot elevated split squat). It is easier on the back, and you can still get some decent loading.

Edit: I have to add that it is almost certainly poor form that is causing the pain, and that it is best to figure that out and correct it. Back squats are basically the best movement you can do(concerning size and overall strength), with the exception of maybe deadlifts.

[kingk0ng]

with the exception of maybe deadlifts.

Ya know. I've always wanted to compare the two in a study to see which one would produce the most mass. The obvious solution of course is do both, but deadlifts work more muscles and allow you to lift heavier weight and squats have a longer ROM and keep the entire kinetic chain under isometric tension from the minute the bar is unracked until it is then racked again.

Does anyone have any studies or supportive articles comparing the two?

[Resolve]

And it also takes out a lot of the core involvement and posterior chain utilization.

Not at all. Just take a wider stance and make sure your ROM is good, and you'll hit your hammies and glutes no prob.

As for core, Front have always proved far more difficult on that area than back squats for me. Most guys can front squat way less than than their back squat largely because the core activation is so much greater. Also because the form is so much more demanding.

[mr mass]

wow thanks for all the help great to get some advice from people who know what there doing i will go to the doc and hopefully sort my lower back out so i can get squating again

[kingk0ng]

Not at all. Just take a wider stance and make sure your ROM is good, and you'll hit your hammies and glutes no prob.

As for core, Front have always proved far more difficult on that area than back squats for me. Most guys can front squat way less than than their back squat largely because the core activation is so much greater. Also because the form is so much more demanding.

Sorry, but there is no way a front squat is harder on a core than the back squat. During the back squat the resistance is placed over the back, which causes the torso to move forward and keep parallel alignment with the feet and bar. This causes isometric contraction to the core that the body in front and back are under tension. And front squats do not hit the posterior chain nowhere near as hard as back squats.