20rep Squats/Arms Asleep

[taninecz]

So every time I try 20 reppers, my arms are completely "asleep" by about the 15/16 rep. This seems to happen with anything over 135lbs. Am I placing the bar in a weird place (perhaps on a nerve or something?) or is this a shoulder mobility issue? More importantly, should I be worried, or is this somewhat common?

I also experience some lightheadedness at higher reps, but this seems more common with this lift.

 

[Chaseg1520]

Shoulder flexibility issue... it will happen...

I would assume that you should stretch your chest daily and maybe try gripping the bar wider...

 

[Mickey's]

Could be nerves.

The lightheadedness would be normal considering the last reps are really trying.

 

[XTrainer]

This is nothing unusual, in fact, it is one of the more difficult aspects of 20 rep squats. The arms and hands grow numb and weak and you'll notice the color completely drains from them as well. It's mentally challenging to squat when you can't feel your arms. It's part of the game.

 

[Donut62]

My arms go numb when I comb my hair.

 

[taninecz]

Shoulder flexibility issue... it will happen...

I would assume that you should stretch your chest daily and maybe try gripping the bar wider...

thanks all.

any chest stretch favs? i think i will start gripping really wide and slowly work my way in.

 

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

Actually, try gripping the bar closer, and make sure it's in the right spot on your traps. I was getting kind of a shooting pain in my arm when I'd squat more than like 3 reps for awhile. Gripped the bar a lil closer and checked to make sure the bar was on my traps, and that fixed that right up.

 

[cXs808]

tighten up your traps/upper-back and then grip the bar as close as you can while also keeping the back tight, you'll gain flexibility over time

 

[taninecz]

i dont even know who to trust anymore.

ima look up some shoulder flexibility stretches and do all the squats.

 

[XTrainer]

I'm not sure why anyone would consider this a flexibility issue. I could be wrong, but I have a hard time picturing a true 20 rep set of squats without white knuckles and numb arms. I wasn't kidding in my previous post, it's a trademark of 20 rep squatting.

 

[taninecz]

I'm not sure why anyone would consider this a flexibility issue. I could be wrong, but I have a hard time picturing a true 20 rep set of squats with white knuckles and numb arms. I wasn't kidding in my previous post, it's a trademark of 20 rep squatting.

without? its definitely disconcerting and distracting to not be able to feel em. at the same time, it makes me want to bust em out and shake my arms out.

 

[Chaseg1520]

Actually, try gripping the bar closer, and make sure it's in the right spot on your traps. I was getting kind of a shooting pain in my arm when I'd squat more than like 3 reps for awhile. Gripped the bar a lil closer and checked to make sure the bar was on my traps, and that fixed that right up.

this actually is also true... I dunno for me its the middle that makes them numb... if I go really wide it relieves the stretch... if I go really close it also does the job... either way seems to work.

I guess the key point is... it is a flexibility issue... get some chest/shoulder stretches... also try gripping the bar different widths to find what works for you

 

[graedy]

Shoulderdislocations (the stretch not the accident ) daily might help.

 

[XTrainer]

without? its definitely disconcerting and distracting to not be able to feel em. at the same time, it makes me want to bust em out and shake my arms out.

Yes, without. Yes, it is disconcerting and distracting, 20 rep squats are challenging mentally as well as physically.

 

[hollow]

My arms go numb when I comb my hair.

it's time to trim the pubes.

 

[JinKazama]

def placement issue

dont know much in the way of a solution tho sorry

 

[mschatz]

I get it too. Just part of it I believe.

See Xtrainer's posts

 

[taninecz]

well in any case i feel relieved. the guys i work out with dont experience it. i assumed some sort of catastrophic rotator cuff deformation was the culprit.