JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?m5ݼ2 '56iɎ>PDIPn Xƛ'9Xtք6uXE#/=+/ldfXV?C)mz?qv4!j#sWzv6V6; Ƕi5[ͺ͜I> ]\>*ԎNM%c{NnW[h7G8#PPQ"g6z-tV6f}<e؎k(.BJi#n8 i;;1 3Px~G[[DqK99cI'9kZVd Sd<0yqXrIybߘbv6yvOtlAYʃGa׬M@-4&O_UYOB'5q24oڸQ= a-$2xn%NAݜ]+K37 iQҹLb}L)I?K_$u$m+O+Q6O||WrTo6<7~Se-~ltr'Kɑ=W4= Ik]qORRo 3Y=]?\8kĬ4_q+5n.ctV!i&l{N6B;KsLĹ1|z_dfSH!ezG& 7I 1Gܕ[]TM!D++ ץ.dHJɨM9upqzG`=G3עg(1&/4u¾I!x §W;~H8V[X3g]-Gڲ;cwH=ZPQu j#,.<5J&qH+Oõhi#A=kH LbL zuq%K& ?W4#AZa5ntOS1A2wv?Bj/q p8`J=jLes?X2!I8ŽI-iZa`H0skVIу?x]|vP`W]'9$۞٪im W(Y„(9 Z݀}zW0n$<AM^^xhhXppx ΋O2xCJ:1Ғ4ѝ\s#Z|>&d|d+142R q\G a~I.Տ5h =}Eyr8#+)<)"2+ިt5̀5/e?uiG,XlڟocSyD1 ]`tjX^\X}RG֊̅/̝Eb`֨@cڪ kQk A3CZ^!7?sJ,幽 i08Vt\<[X%IS%~xFj](m'bzREXFO?(Ͼ8i-SQTLIBL"D`ñ H`'ᇷjTKA/nuDד4h' crjш^IS~RAz*ȿk7:Ct" ?"`2 '#*@k3>Nrï5!8Sros>HF<Е'1# 0=h"lc ]X#5 [ {Q.,,7N)٘TJ3 _ f?nsJ=pVӽ*2z&d0q^N2RkÕߡZ6>K|9?V1ֽkZ&y,c3tde5q1y<ڪI+xs98A+mGNWʎnwzNM<.Eyҽod{V#}8;VO'ٜ۫C 0aW".s(l{PKߊtpCVGDo&%FG~vq8 9U!#`X国PE/d[b_Ji T QEumI_-T^8·;'̾ǽW6)ӕ/RWO5E`MZ&h u9#̠Q_Pҹ: <br>The problem with barbell pads when squatting is their instability. If you have a bar with a chrome center, it makes matters even worse. A barbell pad will have a tendency to roll down off the shoulders. People get barbell pads to avoid discomfort but you give up a secure, stable bar position. Barbell pads are essential for lifts like the Jerk Press, Push Press or any lift with the bar moving up and down behind the neck. This is especially true with bars that have knurling in the center. You can rub the back of your neck raw even to the point of bleeding when doing lifts behind the neck. Bottom Line: Barbell Pads are for the Jerk Press and Push Press. They have limitations for Squatting. <br><br>Towel Wraps: <br>Many weight rooms use a towel that is wrapped around their squat bar. Many times tape is used to keep the towel from unraveling. This can create a big stability problem. The towel can cause the bar to slip down the shoulders. Do s and Don ts: If a towel is to be used, do not use a big towel. Do wrap a smaller towel tightly around the bar. Do not tape just around the towel but do tape the outer portions of the towel right to the bar. This will keep the towel from rolling down the shoulders.<br><br>Using a Towel: <br>The best way to use a towel to avoid discomfort while squatting is to drape it around the shoulders like a cape. You can fold the towel once but only once. More than that and the towel will become unstable. <br><br>The Manta Ray: <br>The Manta Ray is an injection-molded device that snaps easily onto any bar. Its function is to spread the weight of the bar over a wider area of the shoulders. Almost all girls and slim athletes like the Manta Ray because of the high comfort level. About half of high school athletes who are well muscled like the Manta Ray. About half do not. Experienced lifters have told me that it takes several workouts to make a good adjustment. Inexperienced lifters have success and are happy with the first rep. I believe every high school weight room should consider having Manta Rays for their squat racks so that all athletes can squat without saying,  Ouch! mile from Chesapeake Bay and four miles from the best surf in the East Coast. Then there s the Internet, the 30-minute pizza delivery, microwave ovens  all that stuff. Like Vince Lombardi said, a lot of people who are worth their salt like discipline, they like structure, and