Admin
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TKervin
Total Posts: 1976
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Top Squat 04-09-04 11:06 PM - Post#1567
My wife bought me a Top Squat for Christmas. I was nursing a bad quad pull and tried to work through it. Bad idea. I finally laid off for about six weeks and started squatting again last week. I have been able to stop using the 2 1/2 lb. plates that I had been putting under my heels. Staying upright is easier. Going lower is easier. All good things. My shoulder is happier. And I just remembered that the Top Squat weighs 15 lbs. so all of my squats were 15 lbs. more than I thought. Didn't feel like it. A very good gift.
Yours in Iron,
Tom
"....'cause she knowed he had a Mercury......" Steve Miller
"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it." Buddha
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gem1
Total Posts: 825
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Hi Tom,
I too love the Top Squat. I got mine in February, I used about 85% of my normal weight for a few workouts to really set it the groove and get my legs used to the adjustment. been going full bore with it ever since.
Guy
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stagner9
Total Posts: 19
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I just got mine.Really like it so far.The only problem mine doesn't fit tight on the bar.I have an olympic set I bought from Academy sports.Are some some of the bars a little thicker?
Would it help to wrap tape around the bar before installing the Top Squat?
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Laree
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Quote:
stagner9 said:
I just got mine.Really like it so far.The only problem mine doesn't fit tight on the bar.I have an olympic set I bought from Academy sports.Are some some of the bars a little thicker? Would it help to wrap tape around the bar before installing the Top Squat?
Yes, most of bars are a little thicker than yours. I'm not sure which top squat you got, the metal one or the padded, but you could line it with a layer of rubber tubing to help fill in the space. Once you find the thickness you like you could glue that inside.
Others who have the opposite problem -- bar's too thick (thicker bars are becoming more common) -- can either trim away the inside tab if using the padded top squat, or bend the metal opening a bit if using the plain metal one. (Alternatively, if we know in advance the bar is a larger one, Odis will bend the metal opening to exact specs prior to shipping.)
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KP
Total Posts: 5
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I bought a top squat in March and my shoulders do not hurt anymore while squatting, a nice investment.
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Steve in Maine
Total Posts: 135
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I also love my Top Squat. One thing I found is that just pressing the Top Squat on the bar will not seat it properly. Look at the end gap, and you will see some space between the TS and the bar. Pound the TS with the flat of your palm, and seat it solid against the bar. Makes a big difference.
Steve in Maine
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Ken Friberg
Total Posts: 266
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The TS sounds like a nice piece of hardware, but I can't decide if I want the padded or the plain. Is there anybody near Charlottesville VA who has one I could check out? Thanks Ken Friberg
| Ken F
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Is there something wrong with eating three pounds of bacon at one sitting? |
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Odis Torque
Total Posts: 15
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Absolutely, If anyone is using the larger diameter bars, just let us know that when you place the order and we will make sure the tube is enlarged to fit your bar. If you have the opposite problem where your bar is smaller than a standard bar, we have had clients use tape and or towels to tighten up the fit. Hope this helps. And thanks again to Laree and Dave for creating such a great area for us to talk.
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Laree
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Hey, Odis! Great to see you here; thanks for signing on, stranger. :~) Folks, Odis is the engineer who took Dave's idea for squat handles and [after 6-8 prototypes that Dave tweaked over and over and Odis probably wished he never took on the project] came up with the revolutionary top squat. Odis' company also makes the clubbells for Scott Sonnon and the kettlebells and stuff for Pavel Tsatsouline. You can see the other cool stuff at his website below: http://torqueathletic.com/
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Odis Torque
Total Posts: 15
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Working with Laree and Dave on the Top Squat project has been one of the most rewarding projects I have yet done. I have been given the opportunity to see what a truely wonderful woman Laree is and been given to chance to meet work with Dave (A True Living Legond). Folks these are two of the best people you will ever meet and Its a privilage to just know them. Keep your eyes on Dave and Laree this year, they may have a few more product tricks up their sleeves. Oh and if any of you have not yet purchased Dave's new book West Coast Body Building, I highly recommend it. We couldn't keep enough on the stands at the Arnold. Brother Iron Sister Steel is one of my personal favorites, but West Coast Body Building stands toe to toe with it.
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Laree
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[mutual admiration society we got going here]
:~)
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Steve Wedan
Total Posts: 2112
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Laree, this was a lot of fun to watch! Thanks. Steve
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TwoWalks
Total Posts: 15
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I have been unable to do squats for some time do to shoulder problems and lower back. I got the padded Top Squat a week ago. I am now doing the super squats and it makes my workouts feel complete. I expected the Top Squat to take care of my shoulder problems but I did not realize it was going to improve my form and make for better spinal alignment. I also did not realize it would grealy help my balance. I told Dave and Laree, the only thing I found negative upon using my Top Squat was the fact I did not order it the day it became available.
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Bill Keyes
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Quote:
TwoWalks said:
I have been unable to do squats for some time do to shoulder problems and lower back. I got the padded Top Squat a week ago. I am now doing the super squats and it makes my workouts feel complete. I expected the Top Squat to take care of my shoulder problems but I did not realize it was going to improve my form and make for better spinal alignment. I also did not realize it would grealy help my balance.
A big time ditto here on the form and balance help from the T.S. Most of my gym colleagues who have used it report the same. Many who had abandoned the squat have resumed doing the exercise now with the T.S. (I leave mine at the gym under the care of the owner who lets the 'anointed' use it.)
Bill2
Integrity is what you do when you think nobody is watching. |
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Manor
Total Posts: 6773
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Top Squat 05-20-04 12:02 PM - Post#5757
I received my Top Squat yesterday! It’s the padded one. I was like a kid at Xmas, couldn’t find a knife to open the box, then I said to myself, maybe I’ll cut, no knife, no knife! Then I had a blasted time with the tape, darn it, got to read those forearm threads again! OK, OK, get a knife, but be very, very gentle. Opened the box and there she was. I delicately pulled it out of the box (The thing is made for squatting man, delicate?) and then I used my knife and skilful as a surgeon cut the paper and tape around the handles. It was free from its bondage! I handled it like a priceless work of art, put it on to make sure it fits and went through the motion, air squats, felt nice. My kids giggled as I used it and Danièle tried it too. She immediately saw the benefit in it and thought it was money well spent. “From the Bomber, how can you go wrong?” I said. I put it beside the stairwell leading to my “Dungeon” Ready for this Friday’s Squatting. I will go on my lunchtime to buy an Olympic bar and some more Olympic weights. Only fitting to have a new bar for my new toy! I am absolutely stoked. Thanks Dave and Laree! Manor (Smiling like when he was 10 years old again)
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Stingo
Total Posts: 12873
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I too was like a kid at Christmas when i received mine.... Couldn't get the darn thing out of the box fast enough!!! I don't use it all the time but love having it when I'll need it. I also have it in my locker incase someone else has trouble with squats is interested in buying one...
~ Stingo ~
“A wise man once said nothing”
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Manor
Total Posts: 6773
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I used my TS this morning on an empty stomach (I’m trying to workout empty and then take a shake with a high glycemic right after workout) and I was thrilled. I find though that the TS slips off easily, stays on good when I’m under, but then when I get out from under it, it rotates down and almost slips off, if I rotate it back up, it will come off. I use the straps that are supplied with it to keep it in place and that is just fine. I warmed up with 135 lbs on Squats supersetted with 70 lbs on Hack Squat. Then I did 2 working sets of 195 lbs on Squats supersetted with 70 lbs on Hack Squat, I’m assuming the TS weighs 10 lbs. I loved it. I kept my back in perfect form and I had to hold back from doing more, which I will not do in the future, I expect big gains from this, however I’m leaning toward the side of caution, being that I’m easing into morning workouts. My legs are pumped BABY! Thanks Dave, for your wonderful mind! Manor
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Earn your supplements
The most important stack you can do are big plates.- Sweatn |
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Laree
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Top Squat 05-21-04 12:09 PM - Post#5760
Hey, Dan, great news! Glad you like it.
Since I'm sure you have the unit pressed on tightly to the bar, the slight slipping must be related to your bar size, must be on the smaller side. This was the main problem we had in making this because bars vary in size and even the smallest difference changes the fit. If there's much "play" in it, you may want to glue in a thin piece of rubber tubing to make this a custom unit to fit your specific bar.
Laree
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Manor
Total Posts: 6773
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I remember you mentioning this before. Will do, thanks again! Manor
aka SAVAGE/JDIDAN/Dan the Protein Man
You can't choose your parents however you can choose your lifestyle
Earn your supplements
The most important stack you can do are big plates.- Sweatn |
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Dr.Ken
Total Posts: 127
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Just to give a semi-commercial plug, we stress the deep knee bend so much at our place, that I wsasn't sure how much use we would have for the Top Squat. Quite a few of our college and pro football players like it so much that they use it for every squat session, primarily because their shoulders are always beat up from the constant contact work after spring ball, the wrestling and drills that accompany the off-season programs, etc. As much as I don't like to use anything that makes the squat more comfortable or "easier", with multiple shoulder surgeries, there are days when I squat ONLY because I have the Top Squat because I can't get one or both arms back in position to control the bar. So another plug for the Top Squat from the NY area.
Dr. Ken
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Anonymous
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The Top Squat also makes it possible to squat after you've performed BTN presses earlier in the workout. I've even heard it recommended in some WSB circles as another way to alter the feel and movement arm of the squat and good morning.
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Manor
Total Posts: 6773
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Dr. Ken, interesting connection you have made with reference to football and wrestling. I notice that when I am in “the whole” and holding onto the support bars, I felt I was in the lower stance in football, like I was “home”, being an ex-football player and all. When a player comes out from a 3-point stance they need the explosiveness from the legs, hip etc. and they have to place one of their arms forward or slightly to the side, front line offensive players have to be able to grab their opponents immediately from their stance as well. I think I felt comfortable in this position and it allowed me to explode. Hard to explain, but I see why they like it exclusively for squatting. I will keep mine for squatting to prevent any injuries that may occur from not using it. I like your attitude and I believe Chris as well, make it hard to do is better than babying an exercise, but as you stated with injuries you have to “play” it safe. Manor
aka SAVAGE/JDIDAN/Dan the Protein Man
You can't choose your parents however you can choose your lifestyle
Earn your supplements
The most important stack you can do are big plates.- Sweatn |
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Anonymous
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Quote:
Manor said:
I like your attitude and I believe Chris as well, make it hard to do is better than babying an exercise, but as you stated with injuries you have to “play” it safe.
Manor
Darn right Chris as well. However, this is an area where making the exercise easier on the shoulders helps you make it much, much harder on the areas that count. That's a good thing all around. :-)
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IB138
Total Posts: 9321
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Quote:
Dr.Ken said:
Just to give a semi-commercial plug, we stress the deep knee bend so much at our place, that I wsasn't sure how much use we would have for the Top Squat. Quite a few of our college and pro football players like it so much that they use it for every squat session, primarily because their shoulders are always beat up from the constant contact work after spring ball, the wrestling and drills that accompany the off-season programs, etc. As much as I don't like to use anything that makes the squat more comfortable or "easier", with multiple shoulder surgeries, there are days when I squat ONLY because I have the Top Squat because I can't get one or both arms back in position to control the bar. So another plug for the Top Squat from the NY area.
Dr. Ken
Dr. Ken,
Is the Top Squat simular to the Safty Squat? Might be a good thing to buy for my garage weightroom. It's certainly cheeper. Sometimes my son's shoulders take a real beating from wrestling. Barney
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Dr.Ken
Total Posts: 127
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I'm not proficient on the computer but its quite a bit different. See the stuff Dave and Laree have on their site re: the Top Squat. Sorry, I don't know how to direct you to it! As an addendum to this, let me add that my son Kevin and I were in the Penn State weightroom in the mid to early 1980s when the Safety Squat was first being popularized. Neither of us liked it when we used it and those reasons, at least for me, persist to this day; too much brachial plexus compression (I am prone to this due to old injuries and using the Safety Squat on three occasions, my right upper extremity went numb each time and stayed that way for a day or two); watching players at Penn State and three high schools within a six month period use the device, they were hell on wheels with 135, used their hands and arms a bit to get up on the last few reps with 225, were pulling quite a bit with 315, and anything over that was no more than a pull-up with the weight in squat position!!! These kids got a lot of work for their arms and forearms and not nearly enough for their hips and thighs.
Dr. Ken
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Anonymous
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Agreed completely on the safety squat, Dr. Ken. The compression isn't good at all, and the movement invites cheating so strongly as to practically demand it. It's a nice change of pace for good mornings, though, as the bar fights to pull you out of position.
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Laree
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Here's a link to the top squat site (it's duplicated material from davedraper.com, but easier to find in terms of T/S stuff such as comments from people like Dr. Ken, and Dave's video clip and thoughts behind the device.): http://topsquat.comThe idea behind the top squat is the same as the safety squat, but how it works is somewhat different. Dave needed something because his shoulders were getting worse, and he had unhappily begun using the leg press instead of squatting. Our neighbor has a safety squat in his home gym and loaned it to Dave for a couple of weeks, but it's kind of bulky, awkward even, and wasn't that much of a hit around the gym. We already had a manta ray and a buffalo bar (to distribute the weight across the traps), both popular pieces that still didn't do what Dave needed. Eight prototypes from Odis with Dave making tiny tweaks, six months and a big FedX bill and voila! Top Squat. As I mentioned earlier, bar size has been our only stumbling block. People who love squatting and need the shoulder assistance will figure out a way to fill in or trim out the space to make it work; those who won't didn't need it that badly or are happy enough with an excuse to skip squats. :~)
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JimC
Total Posts: 481
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Does anyone experinece elbow problems from squats? I'm starting to think this is the root of my elbow irritation as I progress up in weight. I usually focus on a tight core, straight back, knees tracking with the ankles, eyes above parallel & accelerate upwards during heavy squats. With all that I can't gauge if the bar is perhaps edging down my back a little and stressing the elbows. Later in the day after I cool down my elbows can be pretty stiff.
| Nobody's perfect.I am nobody.Therefore... |
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Dr.Ken
Total Posts: 127
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Jim-there are a number of reasons why bench press specialists have bigger bench press numbers than powerlifters who compete in all three lifts. With no disrespect to the bench press specialists as they have chosen their sporting event and work hard at it, its a lot tougher to put the numbers up if you are also squatting. Time and energy is spent on the lifts other than the bench; recovery ability is divided so to speak; as importantly, if you squat hard and/or heavily, it tightens the shoulders and the elbow joint area. There is definite stress in controlling the bar and locking it in place. I know that a lot of our lifters would not get near the squat rack when they were getting ready for a bench only meet so having elbow tendonitis from squats is a definite possibiity.
Dr. Ken
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JimC
Total Posts: 481
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Hmmm, sounds like the nail getting hit on the head. I'm thinking a top squat will also be a good for elobw ittitation. Add another item to my wish list.
| Nobody's perfect.I am nobody.Therefore... |
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JimC
Total Posts: 481
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BTW, Thank You Dr. Ken! { & 'ittitation' can sometimes mean irritation, when you have fat fingers}
| Nobody's perfect.I am nobody.Therefore... |
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Anonymous
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Quote:
JimC said:
Does anyone experinece elbow problems from squats? I'm starting to think this is the root of my elbow irritation as I progress up in weight. I usually focus on a tight core, straight back, knees tracking with the ankles, eyes above parallel & accelerate upwards during heavy squats. With all that I can't gauge if the bar is perhaps edging down my back a little and stressing the elbows.
Later in the day after I cool down my elbows can be pretty stiff.
Try a thumbless grip.
/sk
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garyed
Total Posts: 10226
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Quote:
Dr.Ken said:
Jim-there are a number of reasons why bench press specialists have bigger bench press numbers than powerlifters who compete in all three lifts. With no disrespect to the bench press specialists as they have chosen their sporting event and work hard at it, its a lot tougher to put the numbers up if you are also squatting. Time and energy is spent on the lifts other than the bench; recovery ability is divided so to speak; as importantly, if you squat hard and/or heavily, it tightens the shoulders and the elbow joint area. There is definite stress in controlling the bar and locking it in place. I know that a lot of our lifters would not get near the squat rack when they were getting ready for a bench only meet so having elbow tendonitis from squats is a definite possibiity.
Dr. Ken
Excellent ... I love this guy...This part is hard for a lot of folks to understand..Its why someone who does all three lifts regularly, gets a little peeved when someone tries to talk about single lift events and call it powerlifting..A bench specialist does work hard to be good at the lift, but you can't compare single lifts to those done in a full meet..(assuming full effort in all events)..I've don as much as 420 in the gym(bench) and 408 in a single lift meet.. My best so far in a full meet was 391.. I think if I hadn't injured my elbow I could have gone higher.. The squat does strain the elbow..and it takes away energy..recovery etc.. I have never spent my entire focus on bench training for a complete cycle or more.. leading to a contest.. I am certain it qould amke a difference..but I am a full meet competitior.. as long as I am able..
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Farmer Don
Total Posts: 48
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Old Farmer Don here with left knee cartilage removed and a complete right hip replacement. (socket and femur head) I have no pain at all in either the knee or right hip. How dangerous are deep squats for the hip replacement parts? The doc, said be careful not to go over 90 degree angle because of possible dislocation. What exercises and weights would help strengthen the muscles to keep it from ever dislocating so I could do squats safely? Sounds like this "Top Squat " thing would make your squats more stable (balance) than just having your hands back on the bar. I want to gain in muscle mass (who doesn't) and definition. I'm pretty strong for just starting out on weights(7 months).No problem with bone density .I keep hearing that squats are the thing to do to gain mass and strength for the whole body. Advice??
Farmer Don
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Odis Torque
Total Posts: 15
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Hey everyone. One of my friends Coach Paul Smith sent me an article today to post on the torque site and I thought you all might enjoy it as much as I did. Here it is: The Top Squat, by Coach Paul Smith [June 4, 2004] By Coach Paul, Smith PK@torqueathletic.comI was working the Torque Athletic booth at the 2004 Arnold Classic, when Dave Draper asked me if I had used the Top Squat and how I had incorporated it into my training. I told Dave how I hooked a pulling sled to the Top Squat and pulled the sled while holding the Top Squat on my shoulders. Then it hit me, not only did The Legendary Dave Draper just ask me what I liked about the Top Squat, he was actually standing here listening to me tell a story about a unique way in which I use the Top Squat. This made me smile inside and as my story wined down Dave graciously told me he had never heard of this kind of workout with the Top Squat then he patted me on the back and thanked me for my insight into his product. The bottom line is if you surround yourself with good people you will become a better person from the experience. During the three days I was around Dave and Laree Draper, I found myself feeling as though I was becoming apart of a family and in the short time I spent around them, I know I grew as an individual. Through all my years of weight lifting, my elbows have taken all the punishment they care to handle. My elbows just reek of tendonitis and this prevents me sometimes from completing a heavy leg workout. Then Dave’s Top Squat came into play. I attach it to the bar and finally I can finish my work outs. There is really no true way to warm up for some of the work outs I do like pulling trucks, flipping tires, lifting rocks and so on. But this is where the Top Squat becomes truly priceless. I can warm up quick without having to spend a lot of time trying to loosening up shoulders and elbows and worrying about a sore neck I usually got from the Squat Bar. As a coach I’ve found some people that lack the shoulder flexibility to do squats or they fear the exercise because the bar just kills their neck. Unfortunately this causes many people to avoid squatting in their workouts and that is truly a crime to their strength progress. Squatting is an integral part of any truly balanced workout and with Dave’s Top Squat; hopefully those who have long since abandoned the lift will step back in the ring and give it a go again. The design of the Top Squat with its urethane molding, eliminates pain caused by the bar resting on the lifters shoulders. So there we are one step closer to taking the fear out of squatting. The design of the curved handles eliminates the shoulder pain I experienced while squatting. Wow that’s two steps away from the fear of squatting. Are you back in the game yet? If I haven’t convinced you yet, let me pull out my secret weapon for none believers. I believe everything is built within the mind first. Once a person finds progress in there mind they will create it in their world. They will conquer fears and no longer just be content with settling what life has to offer. Not only will they just apply this progress to their weight lifting they will also apply it to their every day life. They will not only treat themselves better they will also appreciate their family and friends better. Now I believe that weight training is the best catalyst for a person to take that first step in building your mind and I promise you that the Top Squat is an invaluable tool to help you take that first step towards a better, stronger, happier and healthier you. I would like to personally thank Dave Draper for what most people fail to see and that is his vision to help others to find progress in their lives. God Bless Coach Paul Smith
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Amazonblonde
Total Posts: 12642
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I think Paul said it all with when you surround yourself with good people you will become a better person from the experience!!! That is definately what this forum has done for me!!!!Thanks everyone! Amazon Blonde!
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Laree
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Wow, Odis! Thanks for posting this... and thanks to Paul for writing it. Mind if I use it? :~)
Nice to see you back around here. How's Paul doing on the world record truck pull that he was training for with John Brookfield? Did his injury put him out of the hunt?
Also, tell us about the photo you posted in the gallery of Paul's farmer walk implements. What's the deal with those?
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Odis Torque
Total Posts: 15
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Laree you can use anything I post or anything thats on my site anytime you like. Sorry I have not been very active on the forum yet. Have been working on alot of new products and with the baby on the way I'm trying to make things as easy on cindy as possible. Remodeling the house, landscaping, sleep schedules, bacically everything I thought was good is now needing alterations. ha ha. Paul's calf is healing great, but he just got back into his routine and is trying to ease into it. John has moved the pull until later this year to give Paul the rehab time he needs. Everyone hear wants him to do well on the pull, but none of us want to see him hurt. The photo I posted was of Pauls new farmers carry. I thought I'd give your group the first look at it. It should be ready for sale soon, and we think it will really do well. Paul as you know trains for strongman competitions and has had a problem with the equipment options that he has found, so we have been working with him to design equipment that will meet his needs. The Farmers carry has been tested by Paul and he gave it the two thumbs up last week so its in our court now to get it into production. We may have it on the site as early as today, but we like to make sure we have enough inventory on the shelves to fill the orders before we start taking them. Paul has also developed a Milon Yoke attachment for the farmers carry that will allow a person to attach the farmers carry to an olympic bar for distance carries. We have also just released our new power rails. I will post a few pictures on them on the forum as well. They are used for body weigh exercises like parrelettes, with one key difference, these are steel and build to last. We came up with these after reading Pavel's new book the naked warrior. He teach's alot of techniques for conditioning your body with the use of your own body weight. Paul has incorporated may of these techniques into his routine, but the first time he tried to use the PVC parrellettes, they broke under his weight, so we made him a beefed up pair and them we started making them for his clients and now we have perfected them for sale on the web. I will try to get here more often and I will post new pictures of up and coming products here before I put them on our site, that way this group can see what were up to before the rest of the world gets to. I go to quite a few forums of customers and friends, but this one feels like home. The people I have met on this forum are by far the most knowledgable and friendly I have seen. That's a credit to the way you and Dave have shared your lives with us all. Thanks again for letting us all come together like this and meet. A Dave and Laree Fan for life.
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Dave Draper
Total Posts: 99
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In a note to Fred recently, I wrote the following thoughts that might interest others here:
I devised the top squat to permit me to squat while enduring shoulder limitations. No longer able to reach side to side to grasp the bar, I concluded that handles before me would solve the dilemma. The successful end result was the Top Squat.
A few workouts into its use I discovered other benefits of equal worth: the three-inch polyurethane pad for back comfort also served as a mechanic to rotate the bar back and into a most advantageous placement for correct upright squatting -- by instinctive manipulation of the extended handles, the lifter can correct his form, and position the bar lower on the back, safely and securely, for low-back health. One finds oneself squatting deeper with less stress on the knees and back and increasing their power by 5 to 10 percent -- safely. I'm a witness to the fact.
It's a brute that serves the injured, the healthy staying heathy, the strong getting stronger, teaches smart form and provides effective muscle growth early on in the new trainee's life. It doesn't interfere with the true full squat, but improves the form and muscle output of the exercise, which is transferred to the competitive full squat when needed.
Gotta get the NFL on this thing before they wreck their knees and backs and spirits and become dinosaurs before their time...
Odis, hello to your sweet bride, Mom-to-be Cindy.
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Anonymous
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Dave,
I thought I had just posted a message abou this topic. Seems my age is creeping up on me. Anyhow, I was about to ask whether you use the paln TS device or the padded one but you've answered my question. As I'm still paying for this separation agreement, I need to save up for one (unless someone gets me one for my birthday or Chrismas). Factoring in the exchange rate, taxes, the $20 or $25 service fee Canada Customs charges, I'm looking at $207 for one of these puppies and I'm not sure whether I have to pay duty on top of that. But I will save up for one of these (donations to the Cy Benevolence Fund gladly accepted :). I've always wanted safety squat bar but the TS is more portable and affordable than an $800 safety squat bar, and from what I can tell it pretty much approximates the same geometry as the safety squat bar.
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Laree
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Brian Johnston of IART reviewed Dave's top squat and provided this pdf of photos demonstrating the action of the device under pressure.
Edited by Laree on 10-04-07 12:36 PM. Reason for edit: fixed pdf upload
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neville
Total Posts: 1
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Gday,
The pdf on the top squat says it is made for a 1 1/16 th bar, in the shops in Australia there are bars that are 25 mm and 30 mm diameter. Will the top squat work with one of these ?
Thanks, Neville
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Laree
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It would be best with the smaller bar -- the larger one would only work after the interior polyurethane tabs had been trimmed out. With the smaller bar, the padded top squat would be somewhat firmly seated, and the velcro straps that come with the device would keep it stable.
The unpadded one would be loose on the 25mm. and the 30mm bar would only fit in after the t/s opening had been pried wider. Then I suppose you could glue in a layer of rubber inner tube to take up the slack, though.
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r_wichman
Total Posts: 1
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Can you use the Top Squat on a regular squat rack.
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Laree
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Sure. The top squat is a bar attachment -- it fits on the bar, so works on any squat rack or power cage. Here's a shot of Paul Smith using the top squat in Odis' cage at the Arnold Classic Torque booth a couple of months ago. If you look closely you'll see the bar and the top squat attachment that Paul's holding onto... separate parts. 
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KMKEN78
Total Posts: 135
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Does anyone who uses this feel that it helps with squatting form or just gives relief to the shoulder? It seems when I hold my arms in that position that it is more comfortable with body weight squats. I dont own one yet and was just curious before ordering, Ken
| I can handle the weight, it's the gravity that gives me the trouble. |
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Javier
Total Posts: 941
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Ken, YMMV. I love my top squat. I don't know that it improves form, but it's certainly less awkward than holding the bar. It also has a cutout for your spine, which makes it more comfortable to rest the bar on your shoulders. I would say that it CAN improve form but it's largely a matter of comfort and reducing stress on the shoulder joints.
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Manor
Total Posts: 6773
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I use mine exclusively when squatting, wouldn’t have it any other way. I went up to 250 lbs with it last workout, felt that it kept my form “tight” I just thought about the weight and did it. I never had shoulder problems, so it was not a concern for me; I got it because it appealed to me how it will prevent injuries in the long run. I didn’t want to have to buy it later when I may injure my shoulders. Wife and Kids love it too. Dan
aka SAVAGE/JDIDAN/Dan the Protein Man
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Bill Keyes
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Quote:
KMKEN78 said:
Does anyone who uses this feel that it helps with squatting form or just gives relief to the shoulder? It seems when I hold my arms in that position that it is more comfortable with body weight squats. I dont own one yet and was just curious before ordering, Ken
It depends on your definition of 'form'. If you are going to be powerlifting in competition, then it's probably not a good tool to use. Making the transition from the TS to hands back on the bar is likely to cause you endless problems.
HOWEVER, if you mean making it easier to maintain upright torso positioning better it is simply outstanding. Since the TS arrived on my doorstep in January I haven't squatted any other way and I thoroughly enjoy it.
And you can really load it up, too. When I saw the final prototype before Dave went into commercial production, my first thought was "Way overengineered, there's too much quality in this for the price." Those were my cost accountant's genes talking. Dave then patiently explained that he wanted a product that would never, under any circumstance, perform anything less than 100%. So far I've only used 365 with it. Another fellow at the gym has used 425 and said it was rock solid. I believe Dr Ken's trainees use way more than those weights.
A couple of journeymen welders at my gym have looked the TS over and give it high marks for its quality construction and design. And these are guys who rarely have anything good to say about anything. You know the type.
Bill2
Integrity is what you do when you think nobody is watching. |
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