Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm Lisa a mom to two girls and a wife to a US Navy Submariner. I have a passion for running, nutrition and all things fitness. For me running or training hard at the gym equals 24 hours of complete joy in a day. If this blog inspires and helps motivate you, then I hope you continue reading.

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25 February 2013

Weekend & My new found love for the Squat Rack

My weekend was consumed with pretty much of me being lazy! (Says the chick who worked out on Sat & Sun) Today is Monday and yet I still feel like I need to recuperate from the weekend. The dishes are piling up in the sink and are covering the counter tops. I have mounds of laundry to wash, and bedrooms that need to be cleaned. Ughhh I need to get off this damn computer and act like the good house wifey I promised my husband I would be. Not to mention I have some activities planned with my 4 year old.

<~~~~~ Saturdays workout: Upperbody/Run



Sundays workout: Quads/Calfs/Abs/HIIT  ~~~~~>

Squat Rack: 

I've been going to the gym for a over decade now, and when it comes to leg day I have always used the smith machine. A few months ago I finally started using the squat rack. I'm so glad I found the courage to use it. I still go on the smith machine when I want to lift heavy but I'm making all kinds of gains using the squat rack. Barbell squats, your not just working all the muscles in your legs & glutes but you are also working your upper body muscles as well. It works your core, back and arms. A huge drawback of the Smith machine is that eliminates the need for your body to build stabilizer muscles, as it does the stabilization for you. The Smith machine does have it's advantages though so don't rule it out completely.

My tip for anyone who wants to try barbell squats:

Don't use any weight. Just use the barbel alone and focus on FORM! Form form form! Form people! It is IMPORTANT. In fact when I went to the gym over the weekend I noticed a guy squatting in the squat rack and his form was ALL MESSED UP. His back forward and as he came up he used his back to bring the weight up. I couldn't help but cringe when saw him and I looked around the gym to notice if anyone else caught it. It was bad. He's lucky he didn't snap his back! Anyway...

Get the movement down first before adding weight. Barbell squats are no joke. Don't be intimated using the squat rack (or any machine in the gym). Everyone has to start somewhere. Just be smart about it and focus on form.

3 comments:

  1. Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's BlogFebruary 25, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    I used to use it all the time, but I haven't been to the gym in over 7 years... love that you have got brave enough to tackle it. You are looking great btw!

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  2. Running GingerFebruary 26, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    The squat rack is where the real gym rats go to do work. I spend a lot of time there these days because I incorporate squats into some circuits. I also recommend some power cleans or clean and jerks - talk about a challenge for the whole body.

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  3. UnknownFebruary 27, 2013 at 1:55 PM

    I don't even want to think of all the chores I have to do that I have been ignoring haha
    But you got great work outs in, your health is totally more important than a clean house, right?! ;)

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