Bands and Chains

[RyanA]

This is mostly concerning the bands but how is it that one can setup the bands so that they resist you vertically throughout the entire lift? My point is, the bar does not track in a vertical path when I squat. I can see where it is a little more plausible with bench and deadlift but it isnt even close for a box squat.

Is this just how it is?

This is mostly concerning speed day so my concern was that in trying to do the squat fasta nd having the band all over the place, one could easily get injured?

~Ryan

[jack]

You want to attempt to make the bar track as veritcally as possible,the shortest distance between two points thing......I'm not sure I understand your question so let me ask this.....how do you attach your bands,do you keep tension in the bands at the bottom and where do you place your band attachment in relation to your squatting position.

The bands should pose no problems and since you'll only be doing 50-60% on DE days,they shouldn't be all over the place. Let me know if this helps.

[RyanA]

So I high bar squat, so when I sit back and down my body stays vertical. Therfore the bar moves back 1 foot atleast, when i stand up, it moves back that same distance so the bar travels close to a path on this diagonal path.

I dont have bands yet, I am just trying to get a lot of info before I get any.

I realize that the shortest distance between 2 points is a straight line, however moving the weight along the shortest path doesnt necessarly minimize the work your muscle has to do because having your body in various positions could be biomechanically advantageous thus minimizing the work the muscle does to produce the force at a given lever arm. I am not sure if this is the case, I am just saying it is possible. It is likely that you are right and that moving the bar completely vertically is most efficient but I am just asking how do this with high bar and upright trunk.

As to bands, what kind do you think i should get? As in, what strengths?> mini, light, average, strong? I assume the strong would be way too much for me to use as I only box squat in the 300's. I have been using 135-160 lbs on the DE box squats and would probably use similar range on speed bench. Would I mostly be using minis and lights? or some average bands?

From reading articles, it seems bands and chains and the like are used on ME days as well as DE days. Is tha true?

THanks for all the input,
Ryan

[jack]

Ryan,all i know is that if you want to lift more weight,one of the best ways to accomplish this is to minimize the distance the bar travels. that's why it's important to keep a good arch in your back,sit back not down and keep the bar moving in as straight a path as possible. I'm not familiar with Olympic style squats so I'm not one to advise you about that form. If you do a powerlifting squat,keep the bar moving in as straight a path as possible,knees out,tight arch in your back,shoulders pinched in,grunt like heck and lift the weight.....it's simple to explain but more difficult to do .

You'll need the mini's for speed work on the bench and if you squat less than 450 the light bands for DE squats. You can use bands on ME bench days but you'll just have to play around with them to see what the right amount of resistance is for you.