Hack squat...
 

... with a barbell.

Does anyone have any opinions about this exercise? I can't seem to get comfy with the barbell over my shoulders, either it's too low and uncomfortable on my wrists or too high and gets my neck.

Also with a hack squat, I feel I would be able to lift more weight since I don't have to get the bar over my head... (I don't have a squat rack)

Is it more likely that I would squat with worse form (for my back) If I tried hack squats, are there any disadvantages to doing them rather than the ubiquitous back squat? Anything I might not have realised about them?

Thanks a lot you lifting lasses! ;)

Here is what I found on the Barbell Hacksquat.... http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...HackSquat.html I would think you wouldn't hurt your back if you didn't go to heavy at first...
It seems like a good alternative for a change of pace, but that's really all I can tell you about them. You're giving me an idea, I haven't done them in ages...

They are really hard to do with good form. Hardly anyone does them any more.
Does your gym have a hack squat machine?
Have you tried dumbbel squats or lunges?

Mel

I think my butt is too big to do hack squats effectively.

Have you tried plain old deadlifts? Not as much quad involvement but they do hit a lot of the same muscles and you don't need a rack.

I do 3 sets of deadlifts on a Friday and 3 sets of squats and 3 sets of split squats on a Monday.

I tried dumbell squats before but bought a barbell cos I didn't think I could fit enough weight on the dumbells, but thinking about it now, I should be able to get 30lbs on each, so that would give me another 15lbs on what I do now.

I don't work out in a gym, I'd rather just do it at home cos then I really have no excuse not to do it when I'm tripping over the weights to get to the sofa! :lol:

I'll give the dumbbell squats another go with heavier weights and see what happens! I'm also gonna try upping my deadlift weight tonight too! :hyper: