Clean Grip when front squatting...

[tiramisu]

What's the trick to developing enough wrist flexibility to do this?

I'm using an arms crossed grip for now but it would be nice to get the clean grip mastered.

[jsv22]

lots of practice/stretching...took me a few months to get it...

[Scaffer]

lots of practice/stretching...took me a few months to get it...

+1 what he said
practice 'cleaning' the bar.

[ubcpower]

What is the benefit of clean grip as opposed to arms crossed? you can still dump it just as easily

[#8]

clean grip IMO builds much more confidence, especially if you take your balls out of your purse and you squat ALL THE WAY DOWN.

if you're pressing more than 275 on a front squat, you want that bar as still as possible going up and down. my wrists used to KILL after i was done my sets but you get used to it. front squats are amazing for building legs. less stress on my back and knees i find.

[tiramisu]

Interesting. I'm finding that front squats are working my mid-back pretty hard in order to stay upright at this point. This is limiting the leg workout at the moment but truthfully I'm happy to be working the mid back as it has been limiting both my squat and my deadlift.

[jsv22]

the lift is quite different then the back squat, you have to stay more upright. it sounds like you may be sitting back too much...could have to do with your flexibility...hard to say without seeing you do it..

[Winnipeg Muscle]

I cross as well, it seems to help if you get the bar deep against your neck and across your shoulders. Front squats is my number one choice of leg exercises.

[trainharder]

I have really stiff wrists as well so I use wrist straps when I do front squats.

Attach the wrist straps directly to the bar and then grip the straps instead of the bar...it will completely relieve the strain off your wrists and give you great control over the weight.

Key to front squats is to keep your elbows elevated the whole time...if your eblows drop, the weight will shift forward, you'll lose your balance and you'll drop the weight forward.

I've completely dropped regular backsquats from my routine for the past 2 months with great results. Bread and butter has consisted of front squats (which allow me to go way deeper without curving my back, unlike regular squats) and boxsquats.

[tiramisu]

Value of clean grip....

a) Stability / wider grip.

b) More importantly, I'd like to add the quick lifts over the next few season to develop power. A proper clean is pretty much mandatory. Smaller biceps would really help.

Upper Back...

My mid back is just weak. Front squats make me want to fold. Ask me again in 6 weeks :)