Alright am I a pussy????

I use a pad when I squat b/c if I don't it kills my damn lower neck. I have an unusal large bone back there and it just kills. I never really gave it much thought until my buddy I squat with said to me the other day..."hey you should get used to squatting with out the little pad", LOL. I was like shit.....I can't is that bad, hahaha.

I would rather pack on another plate and not worry about a pain in my neck while on my way up I guess...

So who uses the pad when squating?????

I NEVER EVER use a pad when squatting. It hurt me to squat without a pad, also, until a buddy of mine (who also happens to have his PhD in i believe exercise physiology) told me to squeeze my shoulder blades together, resting the bar on the "shelf" made by the top part of my shoulder blades. Also, it helps to keep your hands on the bar about the same width as when benching...
Hope this helps..

Chase

pad what pad,thats for girls.

yeah your a pussy hehe. i used one along time ago and my dad who doesnt use any accessories told me to quit being a bitch. he;s against gloves, straps everything. old school. i like having it right on me cuz with the space there i cant feel it as well.

Yep no maxi pad for me either LOL

Use the pad bro and don't feel like a pussy. You're not trying to work your shoulders for crying out loud you're working your legs and glutes. How will using the 'pad' hurt?... It won't. It will only help you 'eek' out a rep or two.

Uzi

You know what man I have allways believed in working out smarter, not harder. I use to think that gloves, knee wraps, and wrist wraps where are mixtures of being a pussy. Until I met a man who set me straight. His name was Bob, 62, and I met him at Gold's gym. He actually approached me and asked me where my lifting belt was when I was doing squats. After telling him that belts are for pussys and I was young and I didnt feel the need to wear one. He explained to me that the the more you take care of your body now your futuer in the gym will be better. He has been body building for over thirty years and has taken califorina in a senior devision. He told me that he wishes he took the time to stap on that belt, use a pad, and work out right. A great motto he told me was,"You know the difference between good pain and bad pain." So no your not a pussy! Your smart.....lets just leave it at that.

I actually disagree with the weight belt part. If you are doing very high weight with very low reps then yes wear it. If not then you are doing yourself a great disservice by wearing one. Not wearing one will allow you to greatly strengthen your lower back and therefore reducing the chance of getting injured. I never wear a belt and haven't had any big lower back problems at all.

I gotta bump BuffD. I've been told by several very knowledgable people NOT to use a belt, because, as BuffD said, wearing one lessens the amount of strength that can be gained in the lower back..

Chase

No belt.No pad.There is a "shelf" that the bar will rest on.I think the pad raises the bar and makes you lean forward.