Too early for overhead squats?

Alex Hampton · 07-19-2011, 06:16 AM

My girlfriend has not been lifting that long, but when she originally started to show an interest, she started squatting, pressing and doing body rows to work up to pullups (plus some ab work). She didn't like how back squats seemed to put some extra mass on her legs though.

For the past couple of weeks, she switched to overhead squats and likes them a lot better. Recently, she did 3 sets of 7 @ 37 pounds, after starting with just a PVC pipe.

My question is, when is it considered too early to start a new lifter in overhead squats? She's really liking the results from them a lot more than back squats, and her form looks solid (plenty of depth, bar stays in a pretty straight line, chest is up and weight stays on the heels). She does not have aspirations to be a competitive lifter. Her lifting is more for GPP/health benefits.

Thanks!

Greg Everett · 07-19-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Hampton

My question is, when is it considered too early to start a new lifter in overhead squats?

if she is able to do them safely, i.e. she has decent flexibility, no pertinent injuries/limitations, and is using appropriate weight/reps/sets, there's no reason to not do them.

Bruce Jane · 07-26-2011, 08:36 PM

Well it depends on interest and hope she will do and will gonna lift it because the best ting is to motivate her and she shows some good interest when in mood that what you mentioned.

Spencer Mackay · 07-27-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Hampton

She didn't like how back squats seemed to put some extra mass on her legs though.

Thanks!

Alex, convince her that this is a good thing.

Alex Hampton · 07-27-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer Mackay

Alex, convince her that this is a good thing.

I hear you, Spencer. easier said than done, of course. I think I've convinced her to slowly bring the BS back into the routine...probably go with Gant's suggestion of keeping the volume low/intensity high, and still doing some OHS for some added work, assuming she can recover from it.

Greg, thanks for the response. She's a little over a month into her lifting and is liking the results thus far AND enjoying it.