View Full Version : Anyone have experience with bumper weights?
Specifically, I'm wondering if it's possible to walk out from under weights when doing squats.
Not exactly following the question. Can you elaborate?
hurley842002
10-17-2016, 14:30
Not exactly following the question. Can you elaborate?
Fair amount of experience with bumper weights, but I'm with Ernie.
nogaroheli
10-17-2016, 14:35
Fair amount of experience with bumper weights, but I'm with Ernie.
Same here. If you're referring to dropping them from squat height, sure they can take it.
TriggerHappy
10-17-2016, 16:01
You can dro them from over head. I'm 6'3" no issues, depending on the floor composition....
Drop em like they're too heavy.. they'll survive... hell I've thrown them during failed oly lifts and all they do is bounce and clang the bar..
blacklabel
10-17-2016, 18:13
Any concerns about the bar handling that? I'd imagine cheap bars not taking 5-6 foot drops very well.
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Should be ok, the bar is not eeally taking much load unless you dump it on the safties.
Sorry, what I meant to ask is can I get out from under them in the squat position without injuring myself? Is it easy to get out from under them from standing with the bar on the neck? Any worry about not being able to move fast enough and having them rip down my back?
Maybe, they might rake you as with any weight.
Yes.
Maybe. The same as any plate though.
If you set the safties to the right height then a failed squat will just force you to go a bit beyond the natural range and no issues. If you set them too low then its a cluster duck.
You mention bar on your neck? Don't do that.
Sorry, what I meant to ask is can I get out from under them in the squat position without injuring myself? Is it easy to get out from under them from standing with the bar on the neck? Any worry about not being able to move fast enough and having them rip down my back?
To answer that question yes.. you just need to move the opposite direction because gravity doesn't care how you feel.
If you're not using a cage to squat in you should have a spotter. Things can and do go wrong..
It's just a matter of letting it go and stepping forward a few steps.
No cage. That's why I want bumper weights. The weight will be very light as I've got to start with them grounded in front of me. My old knees don't tolerate 400# squats anymore. I figure I'll start with 95 or 115 or whatever I can get over my head, then work my way up as strength improves. Like I said...very light.
Hey Tim. I'd recommend doing front squats and skipping the step where you press the weight overhead to reach the traditional back squat position. The weight you can squat is a LOT more than the weight you can press. You'll get a killer leg workout and not risk a shoulder injury with the heavy overhead stuff. Don't worry about not having a cage. Cleans, OH press, Front Squats and Deadlifts make for an awesome strength program. -Bryan
Blasphemy! Always do your OHP!
But I do agree you will ohp much less than you squat.
I see that you are a cabinet maker in your profile. Why not just make a squat stand out of 2x4s and some hardware? Plans are online and I have seen some seriously strong people work with them.
blacklabel
10-28-2016, 22:14
Blasphemy! Always do your OHP!
He's not saying that he shouldn't overhead press. He's saying that he shouldn't attempt to rack a back Squat from the OHP position. OP doesnt have a rack to work out of so he has to start with the bar on the floor.
I can feel his pain. My rack isn't tall enough to press in so I have to clean everything I overhead press.
Sorry, a bit tounge in cheek there. I am not even flexible enough to get the bar on my back from ohp.
Cleaning the bar for ohp sounds like a fun challenge. I must try this.
I could have a rack, just don't want one. Now I'm off to buy some bumper weights.
blacklabel
10-29-2016, 18:01
Sorry, a bit tounge in cheek there. I am not even flexible enough to get the bar on my back from ohp.
Cleaning the bar for ohp sounds like a fun challenge. I must try this.
Its a blast until it's time to push a PR.
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I'm a huge fan of OHP. It's much more valuable than bench press (gasp!). Starting with bar on ground provides the added benefit of tightening the core up sufficiently prior to the lift. Injuries during OHP aren't too common, but they often stem from inadequate core stability.
A while back I had a rotator cuff injury and lost so much flexibility in my right shoulder I was unable to hold the bar for a back squat. Front squat was the answer until I got my range of motion back. The bar position in FS will get your quads firing a bit more due to the changed center of gravity. Lot's of folks find it easier to really get some depth in the lift and the spine position is a bit more vertical which can be more comfortable. Wrist comfort.....well that's a different story. But it shouldn't take too long to get the wrist flexibility the position requires. -Bryan
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