Why to Not Overuse Straight Bar Squats (Shoulder, Elbow & Knee Pain)

[@Ismunoz]

The fact that we’re not paying for content of this quality is beyond me. Keep up the solid work!!

[@tdixon6264]

You can support Matt by joining Patron. The production of these videos are expensive.

[@WenningStrength]

Very true and much needed support!! www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@stevesorensen9648]

Holy crap!! Don't give Matt any ideas!

[@michaelderenne9838]

I can squat mid 400's for reps and actually have never used a straight bar to squat lol. All ssb and camber bar squatting. I'll be 44 this year. I've been training since I was 30 or 31. Hope I can stay in the game for a long time

[@WenningStrength]

Smart dude!!

[@michaelderenne9838]

@@WenningStrength Thanks doesn't mean I know everything. One day some time soon we may be in contact about some online coaching. Thanks for the content. Always smart to work with people that know their 💩

[@jamesgrant]

This is the truth for sure! I’ve spent too many years beating myself up when I should have been training smart. Now I’m trying to fix my mistakes.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪. Yup I was lucky not to learn the hard way

[@thebuddhaofknowledgemichae2486]

One thing I noticed. When we try to hit PRs. We have to do it in waves and rotation.

[@WenningStrength]

💯💯💯

[@drchico40]

Just bought a cambered bar and integrated it into training about 3 weeks ago. It's made a big difference as to my fatigue levels, plus I think I'm getting stronger because of it.

[@WenningStrength]

www.patreon.com/wenningstrength Come check us out here !!!

[@drchico40]

@@WenningStrength I don’t think I’m that far from your gym, I may just have to stop in. Plus we have a mutual friend. I’m Dr. Todd’s chiro.

[@nickvoelker7180]

As someone who doesn't have any squats in my current program, I fully endorse this video.

[@getstrongby4038]

Boooooooooooo

[@purplecircle7413]

Lmao

[@CankleCankle]

Your program sucks

[@bigdude382]

Matt's advice is pure gold

[@WenningStrength]

💯💯💯💯🙏🙏

[@geopwr5077]

Damn, Matt is reading my mind...as i'm getting stronger in bench, it takes forever now with shoulder mobility warmups for My Lo Bar Squat sessions. After Deadlifts this past Monday, next was good mornings...without the 15 min. shoulder stretches, I couldnt do it. I GAVE UP and went to BB RDL's 😊 Front squats & belt squats have been my Saviors. Band shoulder rotations, pole shoulder stretches and thoracic Rolling has worked, but needs to be done a lil bit each day. Great video !

[@WenningStrength]

That bench squat combo is a tough one at 870 raw squat and 611 raw bench I had to get very creative

[@justbreathe8835]

Its the low bar style that is rough on the shoulders,high bar doesnt bother my shoulders

[@BlackAdam2784]

@@justbreathe8835 same

[@stolimonoli5730]

Pure truth! Recently been rotating back squats with front squats for many of these reasons!

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@jessewastler4679]

Matt is really the best technical explainer out there and is so easy to understand!

[@WenningStrength]

We try!!!

[@loganfluegel925]

I try and be good with low, high bar, front, SSB, belt squat, free squat, with a pause to a box, etc. Be strong in all environments !

[@its_james_fitness]

Same but I dont have enough weight for belt squats, only got 4x 45lbs and that is by no means challenging on the belt squat :(

[@WenningStrength]

Www.Wenningstrength.com

[@loganfluegel925]

@@its_james_fitness Change the mode. Add a tempo, pause at bottom, use accommodating resistance to alter the strength curve to make it harder without adding more weight. Good luck!

[@AnthonyVenmans]

I have very long femur bones which made the (high bar) back squat very hard for me. I've been doing front squats (straight bar) and I love them! I rotate my foot position (narrow, wider) and some days I do pin squat (front squat), pasued front squat, or box front squats. Nice video Matt!

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@mikebeneventosr3546]

This guy is absolutely right, and I’ve been training for 55 years.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@sunlightofspirt]

Oddly enough was just thinking man I need to change up my Squat regiment after this recent deload week ..... FRONT SQUATS it is tomm !! Always right on time and the best TRAINING CONTENT PERIOD from TEAM WENNING 💪🇺🇸

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪💪

[@Sizen_nepal]

always top quality knowledge bombs, keep up the good work man

[@WenningStrength]

www.patreon.com/wenningstrength Help us out here to support the channel

[@dadbod488]

I bought a Rogue SSB this past summer for when my shoulders / elbows / wrists are feeling a little fussy. I gotta say it's been a life changer.

[@WenningStrength]

Yup!! Support Kabuki w those bars

[@ddddddff4038]

Hey, going thru your old videos im going to make a comment ive made on one of your previous videos, you use very advanced thought processes in developing your techniques, especially the wenning warmup. It has translated very well into my own routine. Thank you for the content. Support from the midwest.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@markrooney4700]

Solid advice!! Switching over to SSB has allowed my shoulder and elbow aches to completely subside.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@approfjordman]

Matt´s tips has helped me a lot. Keep going!

[@WenningStrength]

Support patreon brother we need help www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL]

Great video. I became straight bar squat obsessed after doing beginner linear progression programs and struggled to get out of intermediate strength levels because consistent straight bar was beating me up and eating into my other lifts. I blamed bench for my shoulder and elbow fatigue and deadlift for the general psychological fatigue because I'd been sold the idea straight bar squat is king. As stupid as it sounds the safety bar made such a difference for me, I swapped because of the upper body issues I assume upperbody lifting was causing and finally managed to start making regular progress again. Dont hold any lift too precious and dont be too dogmatic or youll end up stalled with mediocre lifts like me.

[@WenningStrength]

👍👍👍👍

[@K4R3N]

I need to find a real gym this year. My YMCA only has a straight bar. Went to a buddy's powerlifter gym and it was like walking into an old ToysRUs, there were so many different kinds of bars. I messed around a bit with an SSB. Unfortunately my friends gym is an hour away (on a good day) and my YMCA is a 6 mins drive.

[@mihaelvukovic797]

Great video, I can see massive progress with rotating different squat techniques

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪

[@jamesmuetze7334]

Love this never ending great content on past videos

[@WenningStrength]

🙏🙏🙏

[@rodneyosborne5444]

Thanks Matt for all the help

[@WenningStrength]

Trying my best brother

[@MPmilanMP]

Really enjoy the exercise variation/rotation videos! Learning a lot, thanks.

[@WenningStrength]

www.patreon.com/wenningstrength Your support is greatly appreciated

[@user-zb3lr3ke4f]

I know its still with a straight bar, but Front squats are a great variation to throw in

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪

[@JackHagar]

Whenever I do straight bar back squats going ATG, my hip joints hurt like crazy. When I change my form slightly and lean a bit more forward putting the tension more so on my knees as opposed to hips I don’t feel any pain. I’ve never heard of anyone else experiencing this

[@JackHagar]

@Email Email Bro I tried that today and I think you’re right, just using it for a few mins just now I realized how weak they are plus just getting a stretch with them is making my squats less painful. Thanks for the advice!

[@christineschubert3505]

Putting out the best information and best strength channel!! All of your experiences are so helpful and knowledge is top notch!

[@WenningStrength]

😉😉

[@FeltovichFit]

Brother Wenning speaks truth. I like the part about task/skill transfer from squat variations to other sports. Part of the value of squat variations such as the front squat or Zercher for athletes is the different ways they challenge core stability. I also like pistol squats. Most non-power lifting sports are asymmetric, yet some athletes train symmetric movements almost exclusively.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪💪

[@david.len.2482]

Thank you very much for the great advice !!!

[@WenningStrength]

Thanks brother please support the channel by subscribing to my patreon www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@david.len.2482]

I will for sure !!!

[@StrengthHacksCoaching]

Great information, rotation is key to staying in the game for life

[@WenningStrength]

✅✅✅✅

[@Austin-cq4xc]

Great stuff Matt

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪💪

[@bradleyhedge]

Always great content!

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@adamw8871]

I don’t have access to a whole bunch of variations just bought a manta ray to modify the straight bar a bit. I’m 6’4 and that super high bar position should help my lifts too

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@ramtron1775]

Free game. Thanks homie😎✌

[@dieselviper7811]

My hip and knee pain subsided when I stopped standing so wide and started going below parallel

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@romandashkevich9780]

Great video, thanks

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪💪

[@21robertmiller]

Awesome stuff Matt as always brother! SSB squats saved my shoulders for sure! 👊🏼💯

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@marco.pereira]

Great tips.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@MarcoPeyrano]

squeezing the upper back in straight bar SQ helps a lot with shoulder, wrist pain (at least in the short run)

[@WenningStrength]

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[@OverTheHillTraining]

This needed 2 be said.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@josephchowhan5184]

Absolutely agree Matt

[@WenningStrength]

💯💯💯

[@UpstateGardening]

Moving to conjugate style training, my shoulders don’t hurt and my competition lifts have gone up without doing them.

[@WenningStrength]

Yup!!! Been try to tell ppl this for years

[@thebrandisnate8256]

Thanks Matt, this was super helpful

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@andrearaujo2855]

Great video

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪💪

[@patricksomaine3700]

Thanks Matt

[@WenningStrength]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@chuckobannon2975]

Im getting ready for a comp and the new gym I go to doesn't have the specialty bars I use to have so I straight bar squat all the time and my shoulder and knee is always inflamed and tender

[@reddeltasev07]

Just do leg press and good mornings and squat like every other week, the strength will still be there

[@davidleon9206]

Ed Cohen has an easy trick. Use wrist wraps or straps around the bar as handles to turn a straight bar into a safety bar. well its a variation of a safety bar

[@WenningStrength]

I feel ya!!!

[@stephenraybrown]

Coach, older lifter here. I had to stop straight bar squats due to cervical stenosis. Could the pinched back have made it worse? I wonder. I can still deadlift though. But leg press it is.

[@WenningStrength]

Belt squats brother

[@christopherchavez2338]

Dropping them keys 🔑

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪come support us www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@deadlift0425]

I prefer the Buffalo bar for back squats and use the ssb bar for assistance work!

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@Ereyner426]

We just got one of those transformer 2.0 bars, what do you think of those which you can set to different positions but have your hands out in front

[@WenningStrength]

Haven’t used one

[@masonmennell8514]

Crazy vascularity in your forearms

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@powskier]

What about if you only squat straight bar once per week? I do Bulgarian split squats the other day. (Do to strength imbalance between legs) I don't like safety bar. But Marrs bar seems good but i didn't hear it mentioned. Are those a good choice?

[@rl00668]

Use them as a tool to see where you're at to see what youre weaknesses are. Twice per month is plenty.

[@blin483]

So what do you mean by the advice you give to “rotate bars” - as in what else other than straight bar should we use? Thanks for the great content!

[@WenningStrength]

www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@kindafatkindastrong5683]

when you say "straightbar squat" do you mean both variations highbar and lowbar? ive noticed that squatting highbar in the offseason has greatly improved my elbow health compared to the low bar that always destroys me (i would squat with speciality bars but gyms are still closed)

[@WenningStrength]

Hey my friend !! Come on patreon and help support the channel. We answer stuff there!! www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@SLouiss]

The elbow pain is real!

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪

[@jasonwang7028]

What do we do if the gym we go to has only straight bars?

[@DynomyteDewd91]

So basically what we're learning here is, don't be a serious competitive powerlifter if you want to be healthy haha

[@WenningStrength]

You can do both - just have to be smart. Which isn’t most competitive powerlifters lol!!!

[@DynomyteDewd91]

@@WenningStrength I know lol, just being funny bud

[@Slomeus]

Does anybody know the name of that sweet intro song?

[@WenningStrength]

We made it

[@Slomeus]

@@WenningStrength anyway to find it on Spotify ? I need this song for warming up.

[@zacclowes4999]

Now do this video for bench press

[@WenningStrength]

Now join patreon to support the channel!! 😂😂😂

[@KillianDefaoite]

Safety bar squats are humbling but very worthwile

[@WenningStrength]

✅✅✅

[@asingh7887]

I'm curious if these issues are specific to the low bar squat. Are these wear patterns a cost for the higher numbers associated with low bar position? I don't feel any of these issues with high bar squatting except the typical knee pain occasionally.

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪

[@danielprest5887]

Obviously Matt knows what he is talking about, It makes me think about the Quadfather, Tom Platz, he bent a bar to make a cambered bar to relieve shoulder and wrist pain. I squat highbar ATG and have no issues since I can grip narrow, from what I see in this video, the lifters have shit shoulder mobility and squat lowbar, which puts more strain on the shoulder. Obviously for powerlifting to parallel with lowbar will move more weight, but most of us train for health and fun, hurting yourself isnt fun.

[@WenningStrength]

Way off. Bench 600 let’s see your shoulder mobility 😂😂. Second of all squat 25 years then comment 💪💪

[@WenningStrength]

And Platz never benched 600

[@FUDamentals101]

How about a Duffalo bar?

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪

[@joseduran4442]

Gold

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪

[@Egm_080]

What if your gym only has a straight bar? I’m in HS and a straight bar Is what I only have

[@WenningStrength]

There are tons of variations. Ask me on patreon 💪💪💪 www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@palmieritv1109]

Low bar squats kill my shoulders. I’ve switched to front squats now

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@StrengthHacksCoaching]

The SSB would also benefit you! You can move more weight because you aren't limited by the front rack position, all while still being shoulder-friendly

[@powskier]

So why do "you need to squat with a straight bar" if you are not a competitive powerlifter? When I got a safety bar, I never looked back. I'm just don't want weak legs and train in my garage.

[@WenningStrength]

Straight bar is still needed. We help everyone on patreon to help with the channel overhead. Thank you www.patreon.com/wenningstrength

[@aumurphy]

“It’s going to hurt you!!” Just more nocebo.

[@WenningStrength]

😂😂😂

[@RE4L72]

Lol I straight bar squat every week and have shoulder n elbow pain. This is making me think

[@WenningStrength]

😂😂😂😂

[@bobman7881]

I bought a Marrs bar best money I ever spent

[@WenningStrength]

💯💯💯

[@benjaminwetscher9614]

🔝 notch

[@WenningStrength]

www.patreon.com/wenningstrength Help us out here!!

[@getstrongby4038]

Matt, is this not just an issue of your shoulder mobility?

[@MrGlostuber]

This is what I'm curious about as well.

[@getstrongby4038]

@@MrGlostuber I'm just saying if you find it that difficult to get inside a 7 ft bar, mobility has to be a problem

[@WenningStrength]

Bench 600 and you will find that mobility will become an issue Good luck

[@getstrongby4038]

@@WenningStrength so thats a yes then? Lol no need to be an ass aboit it

[@jsolorio07]

Time to switch to the SSB bar.

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪💪

[@smilsmff]

The more you develope back muscles the more difficult it is to Bench press and squat

[@WenningStrength]

Ahh cool!! Thanks for the tip - may I ask what your bench and squat are?

[@TheMichaelx]

Dude you flash your military service so quick ,I had no clue !

[@WenningStrength]

✅✅✅✅✅

[@nyyanks2584]

🔥🔥

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@theovercomer2006]

Most of these squat issues are from low bar squatting.

[@williamramsey865]

The squat kills my shoulders

[@WenningStrength]

💪💪💪

[@sw1834]

For the algorithm

[@mattwenning2164]

💪💪💪💪