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bruising from bar

buffbeck Posts: 5 Joined: 2006/08/26	2006/09/18, 10:38 AM I did squats the other day, and have had quite a bit of pain where the bar sat at the base of my neck. I used padding, but I was wondering if I am using improper form in my shoulders? The rest of my form seemed right. I was paying close attention. I might just have a bony neck. -------------- Beck
joe_ceronio Posts: 26 Joined: 2006/06/26	2006/09/18, 07:22 PM Hi Beck.I had the same problem I gues it's just what happens if you put metal to flesh.I got what is called the manta ray squat device(googel it)it's awsome.No more pain.
coolnatedawg Posts: 813 Joined: 2005/03/09	2006/09/18, 10:06 PM the pain will eventually go away. i used to have the same problem. you COULD use the pad or ray if you wanted but eventually it wont hurt anymore. i dont like having the pads and i am using a lot more weight than when i started with no pain whatsoever.
buffbeck Posts: 5 Joined: 2006/08/26	2006/09/19, 01:32 PM Thank you joe and coolnatedawg for the tips. I will google the manta ray right now! I had searched the sight for an answer to this soreness question yesterday before I posted. Today I searched some more and found this advice from asimmer under a post called "back pain after doing squats" asimmer said: The bar should sit on your traps/shoulders - shrug up your shoulders and pull your shoulder blades together, then lower your shoulders. That should create a meaty spot to place the bar. Your hands should be far enough out that your elbows are comfortable. your hands shouldn't be taking the weight of the bar, just keeping it balanced. Work with just the bar for a while to get a comfortable position. If your vertebrea stick out and the bar hits them, wrap a towel around the bar or use a pad. Thank you asimmer. I will let y'all know how it goes. I love how doing squats- I love how badass they look in the gym, and how stiff my quads are afterwards! I know I don't post much, but this site has changed my life. This is my second time using it. I couldn't find my logon info from before,so created a new one. Guess I had dropped from the radar too long. -------------- -------------- Beck
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/19, 01:47 PM When squatting people tend to place it to high...You need to place it on the "meat" of your traps... If you shrug up...you'll have a lil "bump" there....you should rest the bar there..or a lil higher, the meat of the trap should help pad the weight and keep it off your spine and reduce brusing. Also make sur ethe bar isn't moving like sliding or actually poping off your shoulder when squatting. Shrug up...pull down on bar chest up, butt back. -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/09/19, 01:49 PM Good advice BA, I also found the pads and such to be dangerous as the bar can slip. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/19, 01:52 PM not only that pads...and the manta ray...place the bar a lil to high for me. ALso...depending on how thick and or wide your shoulders are...manta ray might not be so good. The "arms" of the ray....actually dig in my color bone....I'd rather have the red mark on my back. 9 times outta 10 bar placement is too high. -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/09/19, 01:58 PM Yes you really need to "play" with the placement a bit to get a good spot. Once that sweet spot is found you can even squat more weight. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/19, 02:02 PM hand placement could be issue too..just another random thought -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
7707mutt Posts: 7,686 Joined: 2002/06/18	2006/09/19, 02:08 PM BA where are yours? Mine I have all the way out to the end of the bar, I got long arms. -------------- Less Talk, More Chalk! The Men and Boys are Separated by one thing: The Squat Cage! 7707mutt@freetrainers.com
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/19, 02:15 PM umm...1st finger on outside of ring thumb over bar...furthest out....or about 4-6in from end. I have relitavly short arms.. -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/19, 02:21 PM ...I don't grip the bar with my thumb if thats clearer -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
buffbeck Posts: 5 Joined: 2006/08/26	2006/09/20, 12:43 AM Shrug up...pull down on bar chest up, butt back. ----------------- Thanks for the tip bigandrew. I am looking forward to my morning routine tomorrow. I will look for my sweet spot mutt.:big_smile: -------------- Beck
buffbeck Posts: 5 Joined: 2006/08/26	2006/09/20, 06:04 PM The problem is solved. I appreciate the advice so much! I had the bar too high, AND my grip was too close. I played around until I found the perfect spot. I was even able to lift alot more weight. I lift better with no pad, which really shocked me. The way I found that helps me: 1-Shrug up 2-Pinch shoulderblades together 3-Relax shoulders down, but keeping the flex strong between the blades. 4-Chest out, butt back. Works like magic. What a great workout today! I'm really grateful for the tips. -------------- Beck
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2006/09/21, 09:17 AM anytime... Now you know "squat" -------------- Get your bicep curling, cut off shirt, matching workout outfit wearing,flexing in mirror "toned" wanna-be ass , out of my squat rack! People don't reach thier true potental, only those who seek it.
buffbeck Posts: 5 Joined: 2006/08/26	2006/09/21, 03:41 PM lol! -------------- Beck