Thread: Shrug Machine for doing Squats. Any difference from standard squats?

My back gives me shit when I do conventional squats with the bar across the shoulder. But I have found I can get away with using a shrug machine for squats. So thats my main way of doing squats now.

Is doing it this way (see vid below) comparible to normal squats.. ie: should one be able to shift a similar weight using either technique?

Or is one considered the easier option. If so which and can I ask why? Im guessing there wouldnt be much in it would there? Barbell would add another 15kg?

Machine would add aprox another 20kg.. And perhaps the standard squat would use more stabilizer muscles? Other than that, pretty much identical wouldnt they be?

Panatta Sport FW Squat Lunge English - YouTube

Oh and is there a special name for this technique? Shrug squats lol?? Machine squats?

I've never used that !acbine to know, but all machines all isolation, balance, and strict form\one direction
I've always liked to use % for machines. Why? Using !machines to lift is one thing. But to max you need to add in all the factors and the guys that squat a lot. 15% difference between free weight and machine can be a lot.
Just ask a fellow peep when you see someone doing the machine with a good amount of weight on it

Are you referring to Barbell back squats? If so, I would argue that this machine is not comparable. Maybe there are more experts on here that can fully explain, but I'll just say I've tried one of these machines and would say it hit my back more than quads and hamstrings. Also, not a big fan of the fixed motion. What is wrong with your back when doing squats?
-Rev

Originally Posted by Revelations

Are you referring to Barbell back squats? If so, I would argue that this machine is not comparable. Maybe there are more experts on here that can fully explain, but I'll just say I've tried one of these machines and would say it hit my back more than quads and hamstrings. Also, not a big fan of the fixed motion. What is wrong with your back when doing squats?
-Rev

When I squat with the machine, its a full squat.. All the way down, every squat.. most definitely hammers the legs / quads, no differently from barbell back squats Infact it probably hammers the legs more as the weight is slightly more centralised I think. Using barbell I think one tends to move foward a little more.. And I think thats where the barbell squats seems to get me.. I hve played around with various techniques. Had various trainers look at my form over the years.. Nothing I have tried doing barbell squats works for me.. Just seems to get me right in the middle of the llower back..

I seem to get away with the squat motion if the weight is very centralized only.

But not concerned with back.. Just wondering what others thoughts are on the movements.. How they compare.. Must be others that use the shrug machine for squats.. Personally I think its a brilliant solution. Well for me at least.

But some one asked me the other day how much Im squatting.. So I told them how much i squat.. But I neglected to mention that I use the machine for it..
So I just wonder now if they are comparable. probably need some one who barbell squats to go give it a try out. Hmmm. Might ask some one in the gym to give it a shot..

Instead of avoiding your back problem, I would seek out a PT or Dr. to have you examined and go through a course of physical therapy to fix your back problem. Back issues can spiral out of control quickly. With that being said...
The regular barbell squat will develop not only the quads and hamstrings, but the glutes, lower/mid back and midsection. There is NO replacement for the barbell squat when the goal is overall mass. The smith machine squat would allow you to maybe isolate certain parts of the lower body, only because you are able to use foot positions that are impossible to do with a barbell squat.

I dont use the smith machine.. Again it loads the lower back too much having the weight up on my shoulders..
Of course its better not to use an assisted machine for over all mass. Using a machine that centralises the weight, helps to take the load off the lower back and puts it more on to the quads and glutes. But as said, I just cant do anything that loads the lower back too much.. Normal barbell squats and dead lifts are out for me.. Having experimented much over the years with these exercises I have ruled them out permanently..
Have been training for nearly 30 years now.. I tried again recently to do dead lift when a trainer tried to tell me it must be my form... Result as usual was a sore back for a few days.

The thing is if you cant do something, just find work around exercises.. Which is what i have done. As for building mass. Its not the be all and end all for many weight lifters. I dont care about getting huge. Never have. I just love the training. So if Im not doing the ultimate mass exercise, its not a biggy.
Re back I have a fair idea what the cause is and yes of course I have seen docs and P.T's over the years, and physios and osteopaths..

Currently my back is fine if I stay away from those exercises. problem solved. Again, just looking for thoughts on the difference between the two exercises as in are the weights you lift either way comparable. I think they are unless some one can give me reason other wise.

cheers guys.

That does not look very effective. Why not do dumbell lunges..id be doing any leg exercise over that... yates rarely squatted he reccomends smith hack squat or leg press..why not just leg press?

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Can you front squat? That would be a better alternative than any machine