Front Squats - probably best ab exercise

[tarun]

Just a little tribute to the front squat and core development... about two weeks ago, I could front squat 185 for maybe 3 reps. I also couldn't do prone bridges/planks for barely more than 30 seconds. Yesterday, I front squatted 205x3x5.. and I also did planks at the end of my workout. Nailed them for 45 seconds. I actually couldve gone longer but the floor on the gym is very rough and my forearms were hurting a lot lol (so my plank hold-time wasn't really because my core couldnt handle it, its just... me being a pussy haha). So for those of you who need to develop your core/abs to help out with your back squats and deadlifts and overhead presses, I would definitely recommend including front squats as a good staple in your workout routines.

[cloud]

You're judging your "ab strength" by the length of time you are able to hold a plank?

[tarun]

And by my front squats going up?...as well as being able to do overhead presses and front squats on the same day (versus when I first started doing that, my overhead presses suffered a lot cause my core was fried)

[Shoke]

not just an "ab" exercise, but more of an exercise for the entire core...come to think of it, i think i might do front squats tomorrow, haven't done them in more than a month

[mstrofbass]

And by my front squats going up?

Because that's certainly more related to core strength than quad strength.

[JasonLB]

Actually it has a shitload to do with core strength, especially if that happens to be your weak link, as it is for a number of people. And considering tarun specifically mentioned "those of you who need to develop your core/abs to help out with your back squats and deadlifts and overhead presses," I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that is precisely the type of person this thread is meant to address.

Anyways, nice observations tarun!

[Baker]

front squats are good, but squats & deads are better imo (more weight).

[tarun]

And by my front squats going up?

Because that's certainly more related to core strength than quad strength.

A lot of people suck at front squats and can't do heavier weights just because their core can't handle it.....that's why they lean over and fall over. Besides, most people who have never done proper weight training are quad dominant... so weak quads are probably not the main cause for a weak front squat. And as Jason nailed it, this thread was directed to those who have core weakness issues... and how building up a good front squat has a lot of carryover to high bar AND low bar back squats, as well as deadlifts, overhead pressing, cleans, etc.

I like your sarcasm mstrofbass but it really is unnecessary here. Please read into everything I've written instead of just making assumptions. Thanks.

[dhw]

I've just started working Front Squats into my routine and have certainly noticed them in my core. I would think that they are addressing some weakness in my core and believe they will affect my other lifts in a good way.

[dylanamus]

Try overhead squats if you really want to hit your core hard with a squat variation.

[tarun]

Try overhead squats if you really want to hit your core hard with a squat variation.

This is a good variation as well. Only problem is you'll have to use MUCH lighter weights than a front squat. But it does help you build amazing balance.

[anchorman45]

One thing you might try for your core is setting up for a front squat with a lot more weight than you could normally do (either above safety pins or just the rack) and just hold it in the rack position, sort of like a weighted plank. It will really build up your core strength, and it transfers over to both front and back squats really well.

[NotNowChief]

I have to agree its a great core/ab workout. I do them after the rest of my leg work so the weight is not massive but I still feel it hard on the abs and its quite different to crunches or leg raises so it rounds out/compliments any other ab work you are doing nicely IMO. The front position seems to place the weight more directly on the abs rather than lower back so it certainly seems like the heaviest weight my abs get hit by.

[dylanamus]

I do agree that front squats help the core more than back squats. However, for a few months I was doing a custom program that involved front or overhead squats every workout and in my experience, despite the relative lower weight, the OHP hit the abs/core a lot more due to the extra stabilisation required. As a point of reference, I was front squatting 85kg while OHSing at 65kg (@ 65kg bw).

[ricepower]

I can do 3x60 second prone bridges right after doing 3x12 reverse crunches but my front squats still suck.

I definetely think front squats need huge amounts of core stability & strength but I havent felt much carryover. With other exercises like overhead press though I can feel the benefit of every little bit of ab strength gained through bridges & crunches.