OpenTube

Master Your Squat: High Bar vs Low Bar Technique Explained

Squat University

393,256 views

Get my book on fixing injury here:
https://www.amazon.com/Rebuilding-Mil...

Get my book 'The Squat Bible' here:
https://www.amazon.com/Squat-Bible-Ul...

Get olympic weightlifting programming (part 1):
https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/w...

Get olympic weightlifting programming (part 2): https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/w...

To learn more about the science behind the different lift variations (including the front squat) check out these two blog articles:

The REAL Science of the Squat Pt 1: https://squatuniversity.com/2016/04/2...

The REAL Science of the Squat Pt 2: https://squatuniversity.com/2016/04/2...

Subscribe to this channel here: https://tinyurl.com/y2eq7kpr
Recommended products: https://squatuniversity.com/recommend...
____________________________________________________________
Music credits
Opening & closing track by JookTheFirst: SoundCloud: jookthefirst

Connect with SquatUniversity:
Visit the website: http://www.squatuniversity.com
Like the Facebook page: Facebook: SquatUnivers..
Follow on Twitter: Twitter: squatuniversity
Follow on TikTok: @SquatUniversity
Follow on Instagram: Instagram: squat_university
Listen to the Podcast on: apple iTunes, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Google Play and the Anchor App!

Special thank you to Evan Pierson Productions for his help in making this video!

20 Comments

@SquatUniversity Creator 6 years ago Pinned

The #SquatUclub is now on YouTube! As soon as I upload a new video, "like" it and comment with the hashtag #SquatUclub ASAP. I'll pick amongst those who do so within 1 hour of the video going live and pick one winner to start working on whatever you need help with (squat technique, an achy hip, help with back pain during deadlifts, etc). You must be SUBSCRIBED to my YouTube channel for a chance to win. Turning on notifications by clicking the little bell next to the SUBSCRIBE button on my channel will make sure you can be first in line to win every time!

I’ll reply under the winners comment - so make sure you keep up on your notifications!

@petrischoltz3541 6 years ago

This is exactly what we need as athletes. A clear explanation without any bias. We are so prone to forget that each individual is designed in a different way, therefore what works for person X will not necessarily work for person Y.

@divinemessenger2030 1 year ago

Finally got a good trainer and I’ve been doing high bar for years. Now he has me doing low bar and my back pain went away and I feel stronger in my squat. It’s best for my anatomy.

@DuerdenStrength 3 years ago

I’ve ruptured a left patella and a right quad at the same time. Made recovery a bit weird but now I’m fully recovered I’d naturally think high bar would be too much on the joints, but it naturally feels easier to hit depth and feels stronger.

@kennynakawaki 2 years ago

Just switched to a low bar squat for the first time ever yesterday after high bar squatting for nearly a decade now. Wow what a difference 😂 the spines of my scapulae though are paying for it

@stevensosa5995 4 years ago

I’ve always done high bar so low bar just feels weird to me. I also feel like I have more shoulder pain on my right shoulder whenever I do low bar (Ive injured it before)

@DanielAlbornozcoach 4 years ago

Hey Dr Aaron could you please make a video talking about the shoulder issues that the low bar squat can cause to some athletes? Thank you for your great content

@eugenethomas4647 4 years ago

It's really crazy how much of a difference a few inches makes when taking about low vs high. I've been dealing with low back pain for awhile now but always thought low bar was the correct way. I was told this by a power lifter at the gym years ago so I took it as gospel. I always assumed high bar lifters were just doing it wrong. I just went downstairs to my gym while watching this video and tried high bar and I was surprised by how much more upright I could keep my back while squatting. I was only using the bar but it really took a lot of pressure off my back. The placement will take a bit too get used to but I'm looking forward to implementing this on my next leg day. Thanks!

@johnme320 5 years ago

I wish i could watch all these videos at once

@MrButterpantz 6 years ago

Gotta talk about the shoulder/brachialis/biceps relationship with tendinitis in those utilizing low bar. I think it's the main reason people switch and would be searching youtube for information. Some folks even train highbar all year due to it being soft on shoulders then transition back to low bar for a trainup/ competition because while it may cause tendonopothy in the long haul, short term you can load it heavier.

Regardless, enjoyed the vido

@petruccilewis 6 years ago

I asked you about this on IG, so I'm very grateful you gave us this video :)

@riccardofort 4 years ago

Love it! Incredible explanation. The guru of the squat universe.

@zka77 3 years ago (edited)

I use low bar for good mornings, since high bar is pretty much unusable there. High bar causes the bar to roll over to my spine during good mornings - but it's completely fine for squats.

@nb8982 4 years ago

I like lowbar better . Tried it today and like I could go lower and my back felt better

@manashpratimsaikia 9 months ago

SIR YOU ARE A GOOD RESEARCHER WHO CAN TAKE OLYMPIC WEIGHTLIFTING UP INTO GREATER HEIGHTS

@SplashFireFilms 6 years ago

Squat University is the best, thanks so mutch for all this information every day

@navajocryptomillionaire 4 years ago

After I've hurt my back dozens of times I'm going to finally switch to high bar squat.

@sambsialia 6 years ago

Would could should you ever talk about the Oly clean and press, with detail on the press?. How do I reach my delts with the bar in the rack? Some famous coaches really push the Oly press as a cure all. I wanna learn it. Thanks.