Manta Ray for Squats
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Manta Ray for Squats - 2/13/2008 3:32:46 PM
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poisondart90
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I have never heard anyone discuss this and was wondering if anyone owned one or has tried one. It is a blue piece of plasticish material that sits on the top of your shoulders and on the upper back while squatting. It makes squats A LOT more comfortable than a wrap around pad on there as it fits to the contours of your back. After using it for all this time I am unsure of whether it has any negative effects. Any information on it?
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/13/2008 5:27:59 PM
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PearlJammer919
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I use the manta ray everytime. I find it it be a great little addition to the squat. I have a bad right shoulder, and this nicely fits on my traps and takes away all discomfort I had with the rotator.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/13/2008 5:32:33 PM
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poisondart90
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So is there anything I should know about using it? Does it have any negative long term effects? I am farmiliar with it and have used it many a time but wanted to know if there was any downside to the comfort it offers. I love the feeling compared to nothing at all or a foam pad.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/13/2008 6:23:46 PM
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PearlJammer919
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No there are no negative effects. It made to alleviate pressure from the trapezius and shoulders. It doesn't assist in the left, or negate anyhing about it, it just supports the groove to your neck that some people just cannot create without serve pain. I being one of them.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/13/2008 6:25:18 PM
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poisondart90
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Thanks for the info, couldn't agree more with the painful normal squats.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/15/2008 11:40:09 AM
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brihead301
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I would avoid using the manta ray. Try doing low bar squats.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/15/2008 11:52:51 AM
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smoundzou
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I completely understand the pain you're referring to... when I do back squats.. My arms hands are all the way out to the plates due to the pain in my RC and not being able to bring them in closer, as they should be..
quote:
ORIGINAL: PearlJammer919
I use the manta ray everytime. I find it it be a great little addition to the squat. I have a bad right shoulder, and this nicely fits on my traps and takes away all discomfort I had with the rotator.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/15/2008 1:33:06 PM
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Red PittBull
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haha.. theres a thing for it.. haha..
I put a towel under the straps of a book bag.. stops the heavy pressure nicely.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/17/2008 10:12:22 AM
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poisondart90
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quote:
ORIGINAL: brihead301
I would avoid using the manta ray. Try doing low bar squats.
Why's that?
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/17/2008 11:16:04 AM
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jheft
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With the low bar position there is very little pain from the bar. There's actually a bit of an art to taking up the weight of the bar on your back so that it's secure and painless.
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(in reply to poisondart90)
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/17/2008 2:10:51 PM
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poisondart90
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Well if that works well for me, why shouldn't I do it? I thought he was hinting that using it is bad.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/17/2008 3:52:02 PM
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poisondart90
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Thanks I think I figure that it is beneficial now and will continue using it! My favorite lifting tool by far.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 5:59:22 AM
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brihead301
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MikeMahony
I am going to tell you that all the Manta Ray does is assist you in positioning the bar correctly on your traps and it also removes the pain from them as well. The Manta Ray actually forces you to do your squat safely and correctly because it doesn't allow you to mis-position the bar in a way that will force your torso forward during the squat movement. I say keep on using it. I use one myself and have found it to be an incredible tool.
Your torso should go forward when you squat. That's how you maintain balance and keep the bar directly over mid foot during the entire squat.
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 6:09:18 AM
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brihead301
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quote:
ORIGINAL: poisondart90
quote:
ORIGINAL: brihead301
I would avoid using the manta ray. Try doing low bar squats.
Why's that?
If the bar is hurting you while squatting without the manta ray then you are doing something wrong. The manta ray will cover up your problem, but it won't fix it.
People can hold over 1000 lbs. on their back with no pads or additional aids. I obviously can't do this, but I can comfortably hold any amount of wait that I can squat with absolutely no pain whatsoever.
Low bar squatting (bar rests on your rear delts) protects your knees and back from injury. Holding the bar in the low position forces you to lean forward a bit more, stick your butt back more, and it uses the hamstrings a lot more to protect the knee joints.
Low bar position also shortens the distance between the center of gravity of the weight and your hips, making a shorter lever arm (less torque at the hips). This results in less stress on your lower back.
The manta ray will not allow you to learn how to properly squat. If you are serious about learning how to squat, which I'm guessing you are, you wouldn't want to use this device to cheat. Read Starting strength to learn how to squat correctly.
Very bad idea using that thing, IMO.
< Message edited by brihead301 -- 2/18/2008 6:12:20 AM >
(in reply to poisondart90)
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 6:24:44 AM
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smoundzou
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quote:
ORIGINAL: brihead301
quote:
ORIGINAL: poisondart90
quote:
ORIGINAL: brihead301
I would avoid using the manta ray. Try doing low bar squats.
Why's that?
If the bar is hurting you while squatting without the manta ray then you are doing something wrong. The manta ray will cover up your problem, but it won't fix it.
Very bad idea using that thing, IMO.
i agree and disagree.. my problem has nothing to do with my traps or rhomboids experiencing pain while squatting..due to holding the weight.. my pain derives from my RC.. and pressure it receives when pulling back my arms behind the bar... the closer the grip to my body, the worse the pain is..... even just holding a 45lbs bar causes pressure and it hurts..
But you're 100% correct on it not being a fix.. I've never used one but can see how it would help eliminate RC pain due to the positioning of the hand bars.. no pressure at all.. to help the issue I have.. I squat with the bar low, and although it's not ideal.. I just widen out my grip.. it's not a fix but it helps and my squat form is still above average..
< Message edited by smoundzou -- 2/18/2008 6:25:46 AM >
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(in reply to brihead301)
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 6:35:49 AM
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PearlJammer919
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I have the same problem as Smoundzou, so I agree it doesn't correct the mistake but it will assist if there is a lagging injury such as a rotator cuff.
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(in reply to smoundzou)
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 6:41:26 AM
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brihead301
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Ya, I can see how having RC issues could be a problem for you, but you are still able to squat by simply taking a wider grip. In my opinion, that's perfectly fine. I watch Youtube videos of PL's squatting close to 1000 lbs., and their hands are all the way out near the weights. Whatever works. But I definately think that the manta ray is not a solution.
I was having some pain in my RC's too. They're getting better, but they were both bothering me. That's actually the reason why I took a break from the SS program and started doing higher reps again. I was OH pressing with bad form, so it caused this pain. I have to retract my shoulder blades more when I press, which I wasn't doing before.
How did you hurt yours anyway? That seems to be a common injury, and I want to make sure I avoid it.
(in reply to smoundzou)
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RE: Manta Ray for Squats - 2/18/2008 6:43:32 AM
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brihead301
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PearlJammer919
I have the same problem as Smoundzou, so I agree it doesn't correct the mistake but it will assist if there is a lagging injury such as a rotator cuff.
True, but if the only reason he is using it is just to avoid the pain of having the bar resting on your back, then I don't think it's a good reason to use it. If he is using it for something like a shoulder injury, then I think it should only be used temporarily until the injury is healed. I think that the OP is healthy though since he didn't mention any injuries.
(in reply to PearlJammer919)
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