Help with bands

Im looking to add band resistance to my squats on ME days(mon) and DE days(fri)

My problem is i dont quite understand how i would hook it up. they say you can hook it to the bottom of the squat rack but that doesnt make sense to me. its a giant rubberband it not open so how could i do that. I could slide it under but than the rubberband wouldnt be facing the right direction to hook onto the barbell after that, and in the pictures i see the bands arent twisted at all. even with dumbells i would need prob. 4 100lb DBs.

also the starting point when the bar is on the hooks is about at my chest. so i would need to hook the band to the bottom of the squat rack, then manually stretch the band to hook onto the bar? what if im using a super strong band?
am i supposed to start the barbell extremely low then try to start squating from there?

I could just use chains but i lift at my local ymca and i doubt they’d want me luggin chains in there.

Does anyone got a read on my situation that can help?

Go to elite fitness systems and order their band training manual. There are many articles and photos there about setting up on squat, deadlift, and bench press.

If there is a support beam at the bottom of the rack parallel to the vertical beams, you can loop the band and hold it there.

This would be your best bet for set-ups: http://asp.elitefts.com/qa/default.asp?tid=101&__N=Band%20Exercises

Yea just loop it under the bottom support of the squat rack…so it’s like a “U” when you pull the bands up. Then put the right side of the band through the left side and pull it tight so the band wraps around the bottom support of the rack…adjust from there. you may have to loop it twice.

http://www.fitnessforoneandall.com/powerlifting/article/assistance/pics/bands.htm

I would loop it around the bottom of the rack like in the very first picture then just naturally pull the band up and put it on the bar.

man thanks for the site. that was way more then i had hoped for.

why pay to buy the book when all i needed was that link?

I have 1 more question if you could help.
My 1rm for squats is 375. what kind of band tension and bar weight should i be working with on ME days and DE days? I was thinking to start with one of the lighter bands and have a bar weight of say 135. and go up weight weekly untill my bar weight equals my bodyweight then go up to the next band strength. but thats just off the top of my head I dont know what protocols are actually used with band training.

I plan on getting the elite fitness bands but still might get the iron woody ones im not sure and im 6’0 200lbs if that helps with the band tension at all

That’s a loaded question. I would have the bar weight alot higher than 135. There are a bunch of Dave Tate articles on t-nation.com that discuss this stuff.

unless u r a advance PL u dont need bands on max effort days, for your dym days you want to use anywhere from 35-60% of ur 1rm for 5-8x2.

thanx for the responses

but from what ive been reading bands arent only for andvanced pl. they work good for strength from what ive read. im going to look for some dave tate stuff on t-nation

lol ok, i just feel like if your not advance u shouldnt use bands on ur MAX EFFORT DAY, and if u r sprinting u dont even need to do speed squats. what ur bodyweight?

5’11-6’0

200lbs

Squat: 375
Bench:280
P.Clean: 225

even tho i dont have a 600 squat and a 500 bench i still consider myself advanced. 2 years ago i had a squat of 230 and a bench of 205.
from what im reading it really works on your strength curve. with my genetics if bands work good than there going to work great with me. thanx for all the advice tho. if you can think of anything that could help me that all advice is appreciated.

dude before you even think about using bands for max strength work u need to get stronger… before u think about during speed squats with bands u need to get stronger, does no good to use bands when ur base strength isnt there.

ok so ill hold off on the bands for awhile. what would u say is a good base strength. keep in mind im not a power lifter imma football player. and a WR at that. im bigger and stronger than most WR’s i play with

at least get ur bsq up to 405-455 range before thinking bout bands and speed squat. u r 200lb and only squat 380.

ok i can have my squat around 420 by the end of my next 4 week strength cycle which starts monday.

thanx again because im pretty sure you were the guy helpin me the most when i was asking questions in the sprint section about my 40yd dash. maybe ill have more questions in about 4-5 weeks after this next cycle. thanks

post ur 4 weeks str cycle

this is just the weightroom stuff not including plyometrics or route running drills i do.

Mon(max effort)

glute-ham raise 3x6
Squat 5x3
Bench 4x4
weighted chin ups 3x5
DB Incline 3x6
Decline Sit Ups 3x12

Wed(unilateral)

Lunges 3x8
Weighted pull ups 3x5
bulgarian squat(1leg squat foot back on bench) 3x6
bar curls 3x8
6 inches 5x30 sec. hold 15 sec. rest

Fri(dynamic effort)

Push Press 3x4
Power clean 4x3
Incline Press 3x4
Squats 3x3
glute ham raise 3x3
decline sit ups 3x12

u not gonna take ur squat from 380 to 420 in 4 weekson that program unless u r on a special diet.

no special diet at all. im trying to tell you i have the best genetics. im not one of those people who have to work hard to be good its natural. my body fat never goes in double digits. even if i wanted it to i still couldnt. ive always been a star at every sport. that workout gives me gains every time in strength. ive done 3 other 4 week cycles with that workout and ive had those kinds of gains every time. i feel like i have unlimited potential for greatness

do u think u could post me a workout you think would be good for me. just keep in mind im a WR and i also do plyometrics and run full speed routes during the week too

lol. shit why do you bands then since u r soo gifted.

would love to, but i dont know much about you. why u not playing football right now.