Questions about the top squat
I own two olympic bars and a smith bar. They all have slightly different circumferences and I do not know if any of them is 1 1/16″ in diameter. Do you happen to know if the Top Squat will fit on the Smith Machine bar? If it fits the Smith, will I be able to twist the bar on and off into the locked position to start and end a lift by just changing the elevation of the handle? Does the Top Squat place comparable strain on the neck and lower back as the Safety Squat?
I’m not sure if the top squat will be a perfect fit on any of these, but you can out the inner tabs (provided for fit modification) with an exacto to accommodate a thicker bar, or layer duct tape or inner tubing at appropriate locations for thinner bars.
It’s used on the Smith Machine at my gym with effectiveness, with individuals attaching or removing it easily.
There’s no strain on neck once you are familiar with unit… you’ll understand the action and placement throughout your first attentive workout, and there’s no strain on the lower back except the resistance of the weight used.
Key point: Let the handles move along with you, down and back up — don’t try to keep the handles firmly in place a the top position.
I absolutely love it and have had my best workouts using it — good form, pain free and heavy. I think three have been returned due to not fitting the bars, and another couple that the buyers reported it worked as advertised, but wasn’t suitable for their particular issues.
Lots of raves, a few school coaches bought 4 to 6 to 24.
Godspeed… Dave
Dave Draper - Dave Draper Posted on July 13th, 2008 in Home Training, Top Squat by Dave Draper