Monday, April 27, 2015

Happy Spring everyone... This month we will conclude the specialty bars series with the SS Yoke Bar, also known as the safety squat bar.
Basically the SS Yoke Bar allows you to squat by holding the handles or pads instead of the traditional method with a barbell. This bar is great for anyone with shoulder injuries or shoulder pain. Because of the grip variation, it allows you to train around various upper body injuries.

 Another advantage is that the bar is held a little higher on the back… that along with the cambered design creates the constant force of pushing you forward. This works your entire back much harder than squatting with a barbell and helps develop static strength of the middle and upper back by engaging the erectors, lumbar, lats and traps.
These weaknesses are what usually causes the chest do drop and your torso to get forward when you begin the upward portion of the squat… known as “coming out of the hole.” Developing those weaknesses along with enhancing the ability to engage them can also help build a bigger deadlift.

This bar is commonly used for Back Squat, Front Squats, Good Mornings and Lunges …just to name a few. 

I personally incorporate this bar weekly into my training and can honestly say it has contributed to several competition PR’s and breaking a few records. If you are wanting to build your squat and deadlift, I strongly encourage you to make the SS Yoke Bar a staple in your training.      

"STRENGTH IS A PROCESS"         

Sunday, April 12, 2015

 I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring weather… it’s finally here and warm    weather outside activities are picking up!

Last month we discussed how “Fat Gripz” can enhance arm development and this month we’re looking at another tool that can serve that purpose, but with other benefits as well…
I’m talking about the “Swiss Bar”.   


Pressing is a huge key component of an effective strength training program. You have to Squat, Pull and Press to keep things in balance.


Most of us have dealt with some form of shoulder discomfort or injury to the point of having to stop some or all pressing movements. The Swiss Bar is designed to take some stress off the shoulder, allowing you to train around some nagging shoulder issues while offering a variety of pressing options and training alternatives to exercises such as Hammer Curls, Triceps Extensions, Rowing and Pull-up options when placed over top of the power rack.



Here are the three main benefits of the Swiss Bar:

1) More engagement of the forearms and wrists due to the stabilization demands of the bar resulting in stronger lower arm development.

2) More load placed on the triceps than a regular barbell resulting in development of the strength and power to lockout heavier weights on pressing movements.

3) Less stress on the shoulders which reduces some shoulder pain and possibly allowing you to keep important strength building pressing movements in your training when you may not be able to with a regular barbell.

"STRENGTH IS A PROCESS" ...Invest in the process!

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