The Zercher Squat – An Osteopaths Perspective

In the video below you will see physiotherapist Wade Brennan demonstrating a zercher squat.  The zercher squat involves holding the bar across your elbows whilst in front of you.  There are many different squat variations and tools that one can use to squat i.e. barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, sandbag etc and where I see this exercise being useful is for those who struggle to get into the traditional back or front squat due to shoulder issues and when one would be looking to load the squat but with less compression load through the spine.  The zercher squat also allows one to maintain more of an upright trunk position.  I see this and the goblet or kettlebell rack squat as other alternatives that I commonly adopt and prescribe, however there could be an argument that holding the bar in this position would be less taxing on the upper limbs compared to the goblet squat if handling loads heavier than 32kg.

This blog post was written by Melbourne osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Melbourne Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced Melbourne osteopaths working across both of the clinics. The Melbourne City CBD osteopathy clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation. The Melbourne osteopathic Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation. To speak to your Melbourne Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.