Perfect Squat Hand Position in 5 Steps

When you hear the words ‘squat hand position’, even though there are all kinds of squat variations (e.g., front squat, sumo squat, overhead squat, zercher squat, etc.) your mind probably jumps to back squats, which makes sense given that back squats are the most popular ones.

And that’s exactly what we’re dealing with today – how to position your hands during back squats.

You probably already know exercising is all about form. If you can’t get that right, your workouts won’t be as effective and you can kiss any real progress goodbye. Hand positioning is one of the things you need to master to get your form to be correct, so stick around because we’ll break down everything about it. You’ll learn the ropes on different types of grips, bar placement, and you’ll also get some tips on how to keep your wrists happy because, well… Wrists don’t really like squats as much as you do.

Get ready to up your squat game and master the back squat hand position!

How to Position Your Hands During a Squat?

Back squats are a good way to improve your athletic performance, but only if you do them right. Imagine a lifter squatting and their bar starts wobbling and shifting because their hand placement was off. That’s a pretty disturbing picture and it can happen to anyone who doesn’t get how important it is to place your hands properly.

There’s a few things that go into this, but in short, you need a secure grip to support the weight of the barbell. The choice of grip is something we’ll get into a little bit later, but it’s good to know that the grip you choose to use directly influences how the bar sits on your back during squatting.

You start your squat by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, and toes pointed out a little if you want. As you lower into the squat, hinge at the hips, bend your knees, and keep your back straight. The bar should move in a vertical path over the middle of your feet.

Your hands play a big role in keeping the bar stable and preventing it from rolling forward or backward but also keeping your upper back tight and stable. When your hands are placed just right, the weight is distributed evenly, and you have more control over your movement. Squats depend on a stable foundation, and your hands are sort of anchors in this process.

Step 1: Choose Your Grip

Correct squat hand placement starts with choosing the right grip, and if you’re a beginner, it’s not likely you’ll find the perfect one on your first try. You’ll probably need to experiment with a few different kinds to see what’s going to suit you, so let’s see what is there to choose from.

1. Regular Grip

This is a type of grip that everybody uses and it’s kind of a classic. If grips were ice creams, the regular grip would be vanilla – something everybody’s familiar with. What you do is you wrap your thumbs around the bar and that’s it; you have a secure hold. It’s a great starting point for beginners.

2. Talon Grip

Imagine an eagle grabbing a barbell with its talons. Well, that’s pretty much how the grip got its name, since it resembles just that. The talon grip is something kind of specialized, and you grip the bar primarily with your fingertips. Some people like it because it reduces tension in the wrists and shoulders, when there is lack of mobility but it definitely takes some getting used to.

However, if you’re trying to make squats more comfortable on your wrists especially in low bar position, it’s worth giving it a try. Try to address your mobility tho… healthy shoulder is extremely important

3. Thumbless Grip

If you’re bored with the ol’ regular grip, you can try a thumbless one, where you wrap your fingers around the bar without your thumbs. This grip gives your wrists more mobility, and you’ll get a looser feel.

Step 2: Position the Bar Correctly So that Your Wrists Don’t Suffer

After you’ve chosen the grip, the next thing you need to do is to place the bar correctly on your back. This step is a big deal because, if the bar isn’t placed how it should be, you’re in trouble. You’ll feel a lot of discomfort in your wrists or neck, and it will distract you from the workout. This means that your form can be off, and your squat won’t have a solid foundation.

As you set up for your lift, put the bar across your upper back, but not directly on your neck. This will distribute the weight evenly and your wrists won’t feel as uncomfortable.

Step 3: Limit Radial Deviation in The Wrists

Although squats are never going to feel pleasant, there’s some things you can do to make them more comfortable. One of those things is to limit radial deviation in your wrists. To put it simply, it’s when your wrist bends towards the thumb side and you don’t want that to happen because it’s crazy uncomfortable.

Keep your wrists in a neutral position and align them with your forearms. This will help your grip be more stable, but it will also make the squat more bearable on your wrists. There’s also a bonus – your wrists won’t feel as sore after squatting as they would otherwise.

Step 4: Wide Grip vs Close/Narrow Grip

A wide grip might lead to more lateral bending and it’s more common with people who don’t have enough shoulder mobility. The close/narrow grip brings your hands closer together on the bar, which activates your back more and keeps your spine secure. Feel free to experiment, though, because stability is still important, it’s not only about which muscles are engaged.

Step 5: High Bar vs Low Bar

The last choice you need to make is between the high bar and the low bar position. The high bar rests on the upper traps and it makes it easier for you to keep your posture upright. Another thing that’s great about it is that it does a great job of engaging your quads. Low bar squat, on the other hand, sits lower on the back, engages your posterior chain, requires more hip flexion and less knee flexion than high bar . The best thing about it is that it can make it easier to lift heavier weights.

With this, you need to go with what you like better and what your goals are. High bar squats are popular with people whose priorities are general strength and athleticism, and low bar squats are more common with powerlifters who want to lift heavier loads. Try them both out and see.

5 Most Common Hand Position Mistakes When Squatting + Solutions

There’s a lot to look out for when you’re squatting, so it’s not surprising there’s also a bunch of mistakes you can make. Mistakes are part of the learning process so, in a way, you should appreciate them and learn from them.

Don’t drive yourself crazy trying to be perfect and avoiding mistakes. If you get familiar with the most common things that can go wrong (and how to fix them), you’ll learn faster, and the entire process will be easier.

1. Grip Being Too Wide

A very wide grip can lead to less control and stability of the barbell, and it can really strain your shoulders.

Solution: Narrow your grip bit by bit until your shoulders are tight and engaged (but still comfortable). This will give you more control and it won’t compromise the health of your shoulders.

2. Grip Being Too Narrow

A grip that’s too narrow is not good either because it can strain your wrists and elbows. If you’re lucky, you’ll only feel discomfort, but you can actually end up injured

Solution: Adjust your grip gradually and make it wider. You want a position that doesn’t strain your wrists or elbows, but that still allows your upper back to be tight.

3. Incorrect Hand Placement

If your hands are not placed properly in relation to the bar, your balance and posture will be off.

Solution: Make sure both of your hands are at the same distance from the bar’s center to make it secure and stable.

4. Elbows Flaring Too Much

If you let your elbows flare too much, it will shift the bar’s position, which will affect your balance and the depth of your squat.

Solution: Keep your elbows pointed down and back to keep the bar in its position and make your torso more stable.

5. Not Engaging Your Upper Back

When your upper back isn’t engaged through shoulder and arm position, you will be at risk of rounding your spine and your squats will be a lot less effective.

Solution: Pull the bar into your back with a grip that allows for a tight, engaged upper back. This will reinforce your squat and make your posture more stable.

FAQ

Should you squat wide or close grip?

Choosing between a close or narrow grip squat depends on what feels right for you, but generally, go for a grip that is close enough to keep your upper back tight. Low bar squats will need a grip that’s wider than the one for high bar squats.

How should my wrists be when squatting?

Your wrists should be in a neutral position during squatting, and in alignment with your forearms. You may try to avoid excessive bending or deviation because that can cause injuries.

Where should I grip the bar for a squat?

You should place your hands evenly, a little bit wider than shoulder-width apart and choose a grip that feels secure. You’ll need to try a few of them out to see which one is best for you, but the regular grip is a great starting point.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’re not overwhelmed with all of the information you got because this really boils down to what’s comfortable for you. How you place your hands plays a big part in what muscles get engaged and how comfortable the exercise feels, but as long as your form is okay and you’re mindful of your wrist position, you’re fine. Whether you try a regular grip or go for something fancy like a thumbless or talon grip, it’s about what feels good for you.

Watch out for pitfalls like improper depth and leaning forward too much, and most importantly, remember that this is a journey. Your trainer, that buff guy at the gym you admire, or a celebrity weightlifter you follow on Instagram, none of them mastered the squats overnight. It takes time, patience, and a tweak here and there to make them work for you.

What’s your go-to squat grip? How do you make your wrists happy during squats? Do you have any tips on how to find that sweet spot for the bar on your back?

Leave a comment and then squat on, friend!

References:

1. Ben Pollack, Ph.D. “Eliminate Shoulder Discomfort In Seconds With This Squatting Tip,” BarBend, https://barbend.com/talon-grip-squat/ (accessed February 27th, 2024)
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3. Gregory D. Myer, Adam M. Kushner, Jensen L. Brent, Brad J. Schoenfeld, Jason Hugentobler, Rhodri S. Lloyd, Al Vermeil, Donald A. Chu, Jason Harbin, and Stuart M. McGill “The back squat: A proposed assessment of functional deficits and technical factors that limit performance,” Strength and Conditioning Journal 36, no. 6 (2014): 4-27.
4. Roland van den Tillaar, Tom Roar Knutli, and Stian Larsen “The Effects of Barbell Placement on Kinematics and Muscle Activation Around the Sticking Region in Squats,” Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2 (2020): 604177.
5. Wei Wei, JingX Zhu, Shuang Ren, Yih-Kuen Jan, WuL Zhang, Ronghai Su, & Li He “Effects of progressive body-weight versus barbell back squat training on strength, hypertrophy and body fat among sedentary young women,” Scientific Reports 13, Article number: 13505 (2023).
6. All photos are made by our Torokhtiy Media Team