Using chains when squatting: are you an idiot?

Here's a problem I see quite a bit, especially on social media: using a chain set-up that is completely idiotic. They hang the chain from the bar itself and let it run through all the way down. In fact, some companies even sell chains with a collar attached on one end to make it easier to attach it to the bar. This is completely idiotic and a gross misunderstanding of how chains work. It makes them completely useless. The purpose of chains is to create a large variation in load between the bottom half and the top half of the movement. If you use the “idiotic” set-up on a squat for example you will have around a 7lbs difference per side (14lbs total) between the top (1 link on the floor) and the bottom (7 links on the floor). If you are taller than 5’11” it will even be worse because no link will be on the floor at the top and 4-5 will be on the floor in the bottom for around a 5lbs difference per side (10lbs total). That is not a significant load difference. If you set the chains up properly. Folded in two, either hanging from a smaller secondary chain or a EZ strap by EliteFTS, the difference in load can be as high as 25lbs per chain for a total of 50lbs for one set of chain. Compare that to 10-15lbs, it’s significant. And if you use two chains per side it’s even more pronounced: 90-100lbs vs. 20-30lbs. With three chains per side it goes up to 135-150bs vs. 30-45lbs. If you are going to use chains, at least use them properly. You want 1-2 link on the floor at the top of the movement and the whole chain on the floor in the bottom. Please watch the following video.