When Zercher Squats Are Better Than Front Squats

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  • Опубліковано 20 лис 2020
  • In this QUAH Sal, Adam, & Justin answer the question “What value does a Zercher squat provide that a front squat doesn’t? I find the pain of the bar, in the crook of my arms for Zercher squat, limits the weight I can lift way before my muscle strength does. So, I wonder if I should front squat instead?”
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 142

  • @highperteams4023
    @highperteams4023 3 роки тому +253

    3 months after rotator cuff surgery, Zerchers became my only free weight option for lower body. I hated them my whole life--until it was the only thing I could do. So, now I do them 3 days a week. Perspective is a great teacher.

    • @showrobber
      @showrobber 3 роки тому +11

      Haha true. The same for me with bulgarian Split squats... I did them due to the Corona lockdown with two dumbbels each hand, because i didn't had a barbell and hated this exercise. Now i do them in my gym as heavy Mainlift with a loaded barbell on my neck and love it!

    • @LDarlong
      @LDarlong 2 роки тому

      Will they be effective if the weight isn’t that high? In terms of hypertrophy

    • @skylerrezentes
      @skylerrezentes Рік тому +1

      Hell yeah, bro. Had rotator cuff and labrum surgery. Zercher's are much more kind on the shoulder capsule

    • @VeinyDickTracy
      @VeinyDickTracy Рік тому

      Did it help you in the bedroom? 🛌
      I remember you saying you needed help in that area too.

    • @Bodhinaut
      @Bodhinaut Рік тому

      Same brother. I’ve had 2 shoulder surgeries and lost range of motion to back squat. I love my zerchers.

  • @schibleh531
    @schibleh531 3 роки тому +206

    I am loving the Zercher squats. They feel so damn different but a lot more natural than any squat I did.

    • @gr33n.
      @gr33n. 3 роки тому +7

      Yeah, i feel the same!

    • @bayupatten4777
      @bayupatten4777 2 роки тому +16

      they have a real primal energy to them which i love.

    • @joet3123
      @joet3123 Рік тому +8

      @@bayupatten4777 that's for sure. It's one of the most practical exercises I think. We squat and hold sht in front of us all day

    • @muaytha1201
      @muaytha1201 Рік тому +1

      I agree just started doing them and I’m in love lol

    • @jevgenijsalunin9820
      @jevgenijsalunin9820 2 місяці тому

      I've heard somewhere that they are bullshit and didn't even try them. Now I've tried and they are just freakin' amazing

  • @WilliamsWrestlin
    @WilliamsWrestlin 3 роки тому +161

    If you're a wrestler, zercher squats as well as zercher good mornings should be a staple to your training

    • @AmirMalik-sj3ov
      @AmirMalik-sj3ov 2 роки тому +22

      Because when someone tries to take you down you defend by getting underhooks to defend

    • @DYELGAINZ
      @DYELGAINZ 2 роки тому +8

      @Cornejo I mostly do a LOT of body lock takedowns, it mimics the lift in a while and also improves your grip and traps a lot. Zercher lifts are so useful

    • @x-Musashi-x
      @x-Musashi-x Рік тому

      Agree

    • @icarusnicholas2852
      @icarusnicholas2852 Рік тому

      Love the channel name brah

    • @jonathanmesa4834
      @jonathanmesa4834 Рік тому

      FSU wrestling REPRESENT. Crazy to see you out here in the comments

  • @coolbyfar
    @coolbyfar 2 роки тому +84

    My very elderly grandmother took a nasty fall and I’m the only one in the house that could get her up. Inspired me to start training my Zercher Squats seriously

    • @percfiend69206
      @percfiend69206 11 місяців тому +7

      Hope your grandmother is doing okay and you are successful

    • @muvsharma
      @muvsharma 8 місяців тому +3

      I hope both of you are doing well bro.

  • @ToddDCLT4
    @ToddDCLT4 3 роки тому +178

    You don’t need padding just scream while doing it and it won’t matter

  • @demigodubermensch8173
    @demigodubermensch8173 3 роки тому +69

    I love Zercher Squats and Zercher Carries. They have such a big "real world" carry over.

    • @declan5184
      @declan5184 3 роки тому +8

      @Who Cares? an ode to labor workers worldwide lol

  • @BIGIFANDYELLOWCARD
    @BIGIFANDYELLOWCARD Рік тому +11

    I'm 6 foot 2 with a herniated disc so squats are hard to do not only due to the length of my legs but the back injury. These are fantastic.

  • @dbjmk8083
    @dbjmk8083 3 роки тому +43

    I have a squat rack at home and I started using an old pillow to buffer my arm. It's actually way harder with the pillow and my strength without the pillow shot up.
    Zercher pillow for the win!

  • @alpagator1372
    @alpagator1372 2 роки тому +18

    For me the only real benefit of a Zerhcer squat is that it's the best/safest way to squat without a rack. Which makes sense since that's literally the reason it was invented. Without a rack, sure you can clean the bar to do front squats but unless you practice the technique for the clean it quickly becomes a limiting factor for the weight, with the Zercher holding the bar starts as quite painful but you quickly get used to it. If you do have access to a rack you're better off doing other squat variations, but if you don't or there's some other factor that prevents normal squats then the Zercher is an invaluable addition to your exercise selection.

  • @kingquads6982
    @kingquads6982 2 роки тому +9

    This information is gold men, thanks a lot guys. "We are not posture robots"

  • @capo-amg6755
    @capo-amg6755 2 роки тому +12

    Zercher squat is my new favorite exercise
    Brutal and effective

  • @DeadbatteryVT1300
    @DeadbatteryVT1300 3 роки тому +15

    I use a barbell pad for my zercher squats. I love them !

  • @MrObasiah
    @MrObasiah Рік тому +5

    Elbow sleeve fixed the discomfort for me. I can reach muscle failure before the uncomfort even becomes noticeable.

  • @humanityenslaved3380
    @humanityenslaved3380 Рік тому +24

    As a jiu jitsu competitor I feel like zercher squats definitely translates way more into my discipline.

  • @steve_jackson9933
    @steve_jackson9933 3 роки тому +21

    I cannot stand front or back squats, I then found out about zerchers, love them. They are horrible, but get the job done.

  • @hunterhedwall2220
    @hunterhedwall2220 3 роки тому +39

    Great video! I've been doing lots of high rep zerchers to slowly build up to heavier weights, and is a brutal exercise indeed!

    • @wtDrake
      @wtDrake 3 роки тому +4

      Oh yeah yeah

    • @vincentrascon5944
      @vincentrascon5944 3 роки тому +3

      I'm gonna start doing Zerchers during my next workout 💪💪

    • @hunterhedwall2220
      @hunterhedwall2220 3 роки тому +4

      @@vincentrascon5944 Nice man, they're great. It'll build your biceps and back a lot as well :D

    • @hunterhedwall2220
      @hunterhedwall2220 3 роки тому +1

      @@wtDrake ayyy😎

    • @joet3123
      @joet3123 Рік тому +1

      Absolutely. I do 2 plates now. I reckon I can do 275. My goal is 315 in the next month or 2

  • @shredmonkey686
    @shredmonkey686 3 роки тому +20

    Just dislocated my shoulder a few days ago and then learned about the zercher squat today. Im gonna try it tomorrow cause front and back squats are pretty scetchy in the weeks following a dislocation.

  • @markceaser8073
    @markceaser8073 Рік тому +4

    Zercher squats so helped my martial arts training, especially aiki ju jitsu.

  • @Rick-ov5rp
    @Rick-ov5rp Рік тому +2

    Incredible bicep shoulder stomach isometric contraction(also mid lower back) so 2 lifts in one!

  • @fishoxspearo7665
    @fishoxspearo7665 2 роки тому +10

    When my family got covid i could not go out for weeks. All i had at home was a barbell and 2x 20kg and 2x5kg plates no rack so high rep zercher squats and rdls was the only thing i could do for lower body

    • @Jotaromilktea
      @Jotaromilktea 2 роки тому +2

      you could also learn how to clean too

  • @ksr3869
    @ksr3869 3 роки тому +32

    Fighters love zercher squat🔥

  • @AchillesFeel
    @AchillesFeel Рік тому

    Cool! Thanks

  • @A-RJ
    @A-RJ 25 днів тому

    O.M.G 😮😮😮 tried these the other day now ill never stop doing them

  • @dumbbuff
    @dumbbuff Рік тому +5

    I never realized zercher had a carry-over to stone lifting

  • @chadsmith71
    @chadsmith71 6 місяців тому +1

    I bought a Zercher pad from AbMat. It's awesome. No pain in the crook of my arms. I don't have the mobility needed for a front squat, and back squats can irritate my lower back, once the weight gets to a certain point. I also think Zercher squats are a more "natural" position for squatting, meaning (just as you guys mention in the video), if you bend over to pick up something heavy, you're basically mimicing that movement with a Zercher squat.

  • @jasonwelsh417
    @jasonwelsh417 2 роки тому +3

    Heavy sandbag zercher squats and carries changed my life

  • @chrisnall5896
    @chrisnall5896 Рік тому +1

    I recently recovered from a herniated disc and have an ECU tear (wrist). Zerchers are oddly enough the only barbell squat that I don't get low back pain or wrist pain

  • @northbuster290
    @northbuster290 5 місяців тому +4

    First time trying zercher, did 3 sets of 10 with 225lbs, quads literally destroyed the day after.

  • @michaellopez2070
    @michaellopez2070 2 роки тому +13

    Can't think of one good reason not to use a pad with zerchers. It's actually harder with a pad, though less painful, because it isnt' as locked into your elbows and you have to squeeze more to keep it close to your core.

  • @MASTERLUKEYSLOC
    @MASTERLUKEYSLOC 11 місяців тому

    Found you while researching zercher for grappling

  • @mikekuj3397
    @mikekuj3397 3 роки тому +20

    I just put my knee sleeves on my arms for it

    • @StaticDreamsEntert
      @StaticDreamsEntert 3 роки тому +6

      Jeez. I have knee sleeves and didn’t even think of that. Thanks for pointing that out lol

    • @paalani27
      @paalani27 3 роки тому +1

      Same here

  • @shanebluesky7452
    @shanebluesky7452 Рік тому

    Love doing zercher gm

  • @SOC-ir6im
    @SOC-ir6im 2 роки тому +5

    Use an axle bar

  • @mariomolnar3184
    @mariomolnar3184 2 роки тому +7

    My best Front Squat was 110kg x5 reps. I stopped squatting for 2 months during lockdown, but first time trying it i did 120kg x5 on Zercher Squats.
    It even keeps my torso more upright.
    Just use a long sleeve shirt or some knee sleeves

  • @richardjessiejohnson9108
    @richardjessiejohnson9108 2 роки тому

    Hoodie or an axle bar helped me with the hurts. I can zercher more than I can front SQT now lol

  • @bakhtiarsaini9880
    @bakhtiarsaini9880 Місяць тому +1

    As a person who loves to lift heavy sand bags Zercher squats are the only lift that mimics it I can do in the gym

    • @KettlebellMaxxin
      @KettlebellMaxxin Місяць тому

      Yup! The bear hug squat is fantastic which is similar to the zercher.

  • @rhaven090
    @rhaven090 Рік тому

    "How you lift things in the real world" I'd really love a list of those functional lifts

  • @AHam-tp5xz
    @AHam-tp5xz 7 місяців тому

    As someone that does zercher squats. You get used to it after 2 or 3 months. it used to make my forearms numb but now my forearms are fine. maybe the blood vessels got stronger to something from all the constant pressing on it. Idek

  • @NJames-dh6kz
    @NJames-dh6kz 7 місяців тому

    Zercher squats with an axle are very comfortable and a good option for squatting if you don't have a squat rack.

  • @christopherduffy1703
    @christopherduffy1703 7 місяців тому

    I do both zercher and front squats on leg day.

  • @chrissheehan5793
    @chrissheehan5793 3 місяці тому

    Or just don’t complain and fight thru the pain. Lifting is difficult for a normal person to take seriously. Whether is a back, front, or zercher on or not onto a box each has its own specific benefits for you strength and size. Like it’s said JUST DO IT

  • @BizzyBlount08
    @BizzyBlount08 2 місяці тому

    I'm going to try the Zurch because twice I've hurt my lower back doing regular squats and I like walking, standing and using my legs in general

    • @reb349
      @reb349 22 дні тому

      Recovering from a lower back injury, and honestly I only do zercher squats as my main squat movement. I'm lifting way less than I did when I back squatted, but I do notice a lot more rigidity in my trunk now and that's removed all the niggles I used to feel even when my physio said I should be able to go back to being 100% now. Def recommend them.
      I just do leg press and leg extensions to hammer my quads a bit more as I def feel zerchers more in my core and glutes.
      But if you've had lower back issues, these are gold

  • @herculesrockefeller4584
    @herculesrockefeller4584 8 місяців тому

    I use old knee braces for the crooks of my arms when I Z squat.

  • @hins2693
    @hins2693 2 роки тому +2

    I haven't done squats in a couple of years due to tweaking my knee and been worried since, I've also put squats off for too long as I often felt like I was not getting deep enough even though I could go heavy so it's not been in my routine for ages!
    I tried to back squat and front but it just felt so un natural to me with the positioning. I remembered about this format of squat and I absolutely loved it only on 60kg as I didn't want to overload and wanted to try slap my knees with the bar in term of depth.
    I'm training to be a wrestler and I feel this will really load up my legs and increase my drive in my trap deadlifts aswell. I can't wait to see the progress and actually feel comfortable squatting for once

  • @flow1188
    @flow1188 7 місяців тому

    vastus mediales activation is high. is hard to train with the Common excercises

  • @ms3ben
    @ms3ben 7 місяців тому

    Belt squat have a similar movement pattern to zerchers, but you don't have to hold the weight.

  • @whodoyouratemore
    @whodoyouratemore Місяць тому

    Too many people step in a gym.and get so infatuated with perfect posture for every movement and i wonder what they do when they fall off their bike or fall over running on a concrete path do they have time to align everything before they impact the floor at 15km an hour

  • @benzhuang1759
    @benzhuang1759 3 роки тому +6

    I use a curl bar for zercher. No pad needed

  • @Oi-mj6dv
    @Oi-mj6dv 6 місяців тому +1

    Zerchers feel fucking amazing. Such a meathead yet satisfying activity

  • @SB-rf2ye
    @SB-rf2ye 2 роки тому +9

    zercher squats are easier on the back, which might be good or bad, depending on your training.
    they're also safe to fail. you just drop the weights.

  • @CL-Filmz
    @CL-Filmz 7 місяців тому +1

    "I got more glute activation from the Zercher Squat, it's actually Jessica's favourite squat now" 😜

  • @jvm-tv
    @jvm-tv 6 місяців тому

    The most functional squat variation.

  • @bigdaddywpb
    @bigdaddywpb Місяць тому

    I use elbow sleeves

  • @omarcosve
    @omarcosve Рік тому

    - Real world exercise
    - Hit differently the quads

  • @oops262686
    @oops262686 Рік тому +1

    I love how my arms look when I do zercher squats 😉

  • @goblinsgym
    @goblinsgym 2 роки тому +4

    One solution to the discomfort is to use an EZ curl bar. The curve of the bar hugs the crook of the elbow very nicely, and also
    makes sure that the bar is centered. I do them with resistance bands rather than weights.

  • @dasdip2001
    @dasdip2001 2 роки тому

    quads

  • @steveos3185
    @steveos3185 2 дні тому

    If you're tall like me.. keep the weight out front. Traditional squats too harsh on the spine for tall ppl

  • @t.bruceford4098
    @t.bruceford4098 2 роки тому +2

    Use kids' swimming noodles. Works perfectly and cheap.

  • @nonoasailo9690
    @nonoasailo9690 Місяць тому

    The glutes activation was good for me.

  • @codyaims
    @codyaims 2 місяці тому

    axle bar zerchers are superior

  • @ShepherdschapelYTexplainsbible
    @ShepherdschapelYTexplainsbible 2 роки тому +1

    Stay natural

  • @nemesis8626
    @nemesis8626 Рік тому +1

    I would of thought a goblet squat would be more like a functional real life movement than this because never in real life if you pick up an object do you hold it in the middle and balancing on your arms, with the ends of both side of the object unstabalized you hold things more like you would hold a dumbell during a goblet squat, I get you can load the barbell more but I'd rather stick to goblet squats

  • @Misterutubism
    @Misterutubism 10 місяців тому

    I feel like these guys don't know the meaning of totally different when they call the front squat and zercher squat totally different exercises.

  • @S___________
    @S___________ Рік тому

    Pain from the zercher in arms no way it just sits there ???? He's soft

  • @alicantuncer4800
    @alicantuncer4800 Рік тому

    Get a THICK bar. I cannot stress THICK enough. Go improvise some street sign pole or go to trainyard for scraps.

  • @robertsullivan9232
    @robertsullivan9232 Рік тому

    Zercher for life

  • @gblikesnikes
    @gblikesnikes 2 роки тому

    6’6 shooting guard here and now a regular gym work out patron. Fuck everything about the Zercher squat shit is mad uncomfortable.

  • @1wisestein
    @1wisestein Рік тому

    Terrible zercher, needs more rounding

  • @hioxd
    @hioxd Рік тому

    Then why not goblet squat lol?

  • @Ajay-uk6kc
    @Ajay-uk6kc Рік тому

    Fat grips

  • @nikitaw1982
    @nikitaw1982 9 місяців тому

    lies.

  • @mohamedyossef8146
    @mohamedyossef8146 2 роки тому

    Not true. Deadlift mimics real life lifts the most.

    • @rampagesmackssons508
      @rampagesmackssons508 2 роки тому

      So what, they still mimic real life

    • @mohamedyossef8146
      @mohamedyossef8146 2 роки тому

      @@rampagesmackssons508 it teaches you correct lifting techniques. It’s skill is transferable.

  • @MrInzombia
    @MrInzombia 3 роки тому +3

    zercher is bicep tear waiting to happen.

    • @iz7875
      @iz7875 3 роки тому +48

      That makes no sense

    • @yettamon956
      @yettamon956 3 роки тому +35

      Then you might holding it wrong

    • @DYELGAINZ
      @DYELGAINZ 2 роки тому +1

      That's why you hold it close to the bar...

    • @ricardo8840
      @ricardo8840 2 роки тому

      weaksauce.

    • @AdamA-qc6nc
      @AdamA-qc6nc Рік тому

      Yeah it really isn't.

  • @ShepherdschapelYTexplainsbible
    @ShepherdschapelYTexplainsbible 2 роки тому +4

    Shepherdschapelcom Theseasonorg explains the whole Bible God bless
    1. KNOW that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
    2. UNDERSTAND the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23
    3. CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9
    4. REPENT of your sins Luke 13:3
    5. READ and STUDY God's Word to show yourself approved. 2 Timothy 2:15
    6. PUT ON the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:11
    7. BEWARE of the son of perdition who is coming first disguised as Jesus to oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or worshipped. 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4
    8. WATCH and PRAY until the true Christ returns Luke 12:37 Remain as a chaste virgin waiting for her true husband (Christ). 2 Corinthians 11:2