Should I use the rack backwards?

[Dastardly]

This is kind of a silly question, so I thought I better put it in ends & pieces even though its training related.

Ive been squatting for a year mainly in a gym which has a full wall mirror in front of the rack.

Ive heard it mentioned in a few places (I think in SS too) that you shouldnt look at a mirror while squatting.

I occasionally use a different more expensive gym which has bumper plates and they do not have a mirror there which somehow throws me off a little, kills confidence in depth/form even though I never consciously look into the mirror at my main gym.

I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to start using the rack at my usual gym backwards. It means Ill have to face other people benching & curling right in front of me (very small gym). I may get a bit distracted but I think the main issue would be the scaring people with my squat face.

People dont really go heavy in my gym, so people are likely to be concerned scared im overdoing it or my head is about to explode.

But a bonus may be that it will make things difficult for unwanted butt-pirate spotters.

[nisora33]

This is kind of a silly question, so I thought I better put it in ends & pieces even though its training related.

Ive been squatting for a year mainly in a gym which has a full wall mirror in front of the rack.

Ive heard it mentioned in a few places (I think in SS too) that you shouldnt look at a mirror while squatting.

I occasionally use a different more expensive gym which has bumper plates and they do not have a mirror there which somehow throws me off a little, kills confidence in depth/form even though I never consciously look into the mirror at my main gym.

I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to start using the rack at my usual gym backwards. It means Ill have to face other people benching & curling right in front of me (very small gym). I may get a bit distracted but I think the main issue would be the scaring people with my squat face.

People dont really go heavy in my gym, so people are likely to be concerned scared im overdoing it or my head is about to explode.

But a bonus may be that it will make things difficult for unwanted butt-pirate spotters.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4254508904_003e9d352f_o.jpg

[Mr.City]

I've always conquered mirror walled gyms but looking down at the ground as I squat. It's also great for hip drive.

[matclone]

I was just wondering if it would be a good idea to start using the rack at my usual gym backwards. It means Ill have to face other people benching & curling right in front of me (very small gym). I may get a bit distracted but I think the main issue would be the scaring people with my squat face.



Same situation, and that's what I do (face toward the middle of the room and the oft-used (though not by me) bench with Scott curl attachment rather than the mirror). If anyone asks (and no one has yet), it's contrary to good form and ultimately a safety issue to be facing that damn mirror--that is, if squatting something heavy is the goal.

[nisora33]

I assumed that you meant you'd be walking the bar backwards into the uprights upon finishing the set, because of being turned the other way. If so, go ahead and get nominated for this year's Darwin Awards.

-S.

[matclone]

Most racks allow you to move the supports up or down, or to the other side.

[nisora33]

Most racks allow you to move the supports...to the other side.

Check. Didn't know if this was the case here.

[PVC]

It depends on what your squat rack looks like.

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/squat-rack.jpg

If it looks like this one you can, but make sure to check. See how the support beams on the ground jut out from both sides of the rack? At my gym we have a rack that looks identical to this one except those beams only come out from one side of the rack (the side that faces the mirror). Last week I had the same idea as you and I put the hooks on the other side of the rack so I wouldn't have to face the mirror, and just as I was about to start my work set the gym owner rushed over. He said it was okay to do this for now since I only had 155 lbs on the bar, but that I shouldn't do it with anything over 250 lbs since the rack was only designed to support heavy loads on the side with the support beams sticking out. Of course, I've still got a while before this becomes an issue...but make sure you check your rack!

[matclone]

Although I am a long time checker of racks, I confess I had not considered whether the support beams on our power rack are longer on one side or the other. Otherwise, it looks more or less as pictured here.

[Tiburon]

It means Ill have to face other people benching & curling right in front of me (very small gym). I may get a bit distracted but I think the main issue would be the scaring people with my squat face.

Because of similar mirror placement I have to do the "backward" thing.

If you absolutely have to face the mirror, try wearing a hat real low with the brim angled down, to block the mirror from your vision.

Or you could bring in a gigantic Rambo poster and tape it on the mirror every time you squat.

[Flying Fox]

Your not taking about racking your squats stepping backwards are you?
Because that would be blasphemy, right on God's very own forum.

[Dastardly]

I assumed that you meant you'd be walking the bar backwards into the uprights upon finishing the set, because of being turned the other way. If so, go ahead and get nominated for this year's Darwin Awards.

-S.

Nope, the the pins the bar racks onto can be attached to either side of the rack.

[pauld]

Don't bother switching the pins. Go with the Rambo poster. Much more badass.

[quadancer]

I turned towards the room because the mirror will lie to you, and found that I go deeper by default. Our rack is sturdy on both sides and is made to hang the racks in front too. With the mirror there, it's just too much temptation to look now and then, and because of the angle of deflection, it appears that you are lower than you actually are.
Of course, there's always box squats if you just like to look at yourself.