Originally Posted by !!Comatoa$ted
What do you people think of holding the weight against the top of you chest instead of behind your head resting across your shoulders? I have read somewhere this keeps better form and reduces the chances of injury.
Front squats should be used in combination with parallel squats. I usually alternate between parallel and front. Front is usually much harder and requires a lower weight-it's also safer to do if you do not have a partner. It took me a good month of lifting just to get good form without my shoulders hurting. There are two ways to hold the bar:
1)
http://danjohn.org/frontsquat.html
2)
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hardgainer12.htm
Hold it whichever way is more comfortable. Just make sure you go low enough to activate the VMO (vastus medialis obliquus-the big muscle right above your knee that makes people say, "Holy crap his legs are huge").