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2003/05/21, 03:35 PM
I hope this makes some sense. I have broad shoulders and wide hips, which seems to make my natural (by that I mean comfortable) grip wider. Since training with my husband for the last few weeks he has introduced me to several new things that before I wouldn't try by myself, mostly things that use a barbell. We have had some major disagreements on where my hands should be. I tried to use the EZ bar yesterday but since your hands have to be in a certain groove I had discomfort in my wrist and forearm. It seems that if I use a closer grip then I am placing my elbows in front of my hips since they are wider than the grip which means I can't fully extend them without arching my back. And when I come up it puts stress on my wrist as my elbows are now at my sides and quite a bit farther apart than my wrists. There are also several ones that I do that have to accomodate breasts. Are women and men supposed to do most exercises the same way? Or is it normal to have to do them differently? Does anyone else see this or have this problem?
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2003/05/21, 04:00 PM
I've had this same conversation with Noirutla in the gym. He places my hands on the bar, and I sneakily move them to where they are comfortable. LOL! Sometimes he catches me, and sometimes he doesn't. I'm stubborn, <imagine that> so no matter what, I end up with them where they feel comfortable. :p
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~Jennifer
http://www.gwindalyn.com
If you dont stand for something, you will fall for anything.
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2003/05/21, 04:12 PM
Huh. That's really interesting. I don't have this problem with hand grip - but I always want to have my legs farther apart (and feet slightly turned out) when doing squats. I've been trying to do them with the shoulder-width/straight ahead, but it doesn't feel "right". Looking forward to the responses to this one!
-Krb
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2003/05/21, 05:49 PM
Hooray for you gwin....I've been accused of being stubborn a few times myself. I found out too, that I can lift heavier and feel more in control when my hands are farther apart. It just feels right!
And yes to you too, kirby....I tend to do the same thing with most of my squats and I know that pointing out the toes seems to work my inner thighs more. I just am learning the smith machine squats and my feet have not found their 'spot' yet. The whole thing feels wrong to me, my shoulders end up hurting from the weight of the bar and I've yet to feel the burn in my butt! I'm not giving up though.
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2003/05/21, 08:49 PM
The butt. You didn't ask for any suggestions, but I'll share with you anyway ;) I try to focus/squeeze my butt on the way up while pressing my heels (not as much toes) through the floor. You'll get it!
Thank you for pointing out the inner thigh thing w/toes out. I sometimes do leg press with my toes out to feel it more in my inner thigh - don't know why I never translated this to squats!
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2003/05/21, 10:26 PM
Some good discussion going on here. There was a radio contest here in Mtl this week for the most shapely guy, (abs chest, bi's etc)talking about butts, one of the announcers asked the other if he new anyone that he can crack an egg on their butt! LOL Thought that would fit in here!
On a serious note, depending where you place your hands on the grip of the barbell, will alter the excercise a little. Sounds like you were doing standing barbell curls. If you are close grip, it will target specifacly biceps, if you open up the grip you will hit the lats.
And for the squats if you really want to feel a good Glute (butt) muscle, when you are in the down position, hold it for at least 5 seconds in that position, then go up slowly pressing through your heels. Watch out when sit down the next day!
Hope this helps.
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We must become the change we want to see.
Ivan Montreal Canada (aka SpongeBob Square Pants to some!)
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2003/05/22, 07:19 AM
azred, everyone is different, to talk about your grip on the bar. Just about everyone has it wrong. When most people grip the bar, whether it be EZ or a straight bar, they take to close of a grip. When this happens, you are using to much of your traps, shoulder blades and other muscles that should otherwise stay uninvolved. Now many will argue, but take a look at someone when they have a close grip, you will notice hoe they seem to be sort of hunched over, that's bad news. Often times this leads to wrist problems as well due to that little bit of unnatural internal rotation. The proper grip should be as follows: Stand facing an Olympic straight bar or regular straight bar. Now, when you are standing, let your hands fall naturally at your sides with your open hands facing forward. Grip the bar and curl away. It may seem like an excessively wide grip, but, your biceps and only your biceps will be working, and this minimizes stress placed on the traps and scapula. Most gym goers don't know anything about proper biomechanics which is not there fault, but, do realize that EVERYBODY is different and don't let anyone (including your husband) make you do something that feels unnatural, unless you like to get injured. Good luck.
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2003/05/22, 11:56 AM
Thanks carivan and dahayz too! I wanted both women's and men's takes on this and this helps a lot. I'm printing these and keeping them in my gym notes. Thanks all.
Victoria
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