Thread: Leg extensions ?

they dont hurt my knees (keep away LexusGS)

I think they are a great exercise and I never had a problem with my knees personally.

They aren't neccessary IMO, and yes they do produce a shearing stress to the knee. If you dont like them, dont do em. I haven't suffered without them, but they didn't bother me when I did them either.

I have an acl issue with my left knee and the leg extension will cause it to
seperate with anything more than 100 lbs. I used to due this exercise a lot pre injury and never had a problem with it.

I have also read that a shearing force is placed on the knee joint. However, Dale mentioned the other day that this downside can be mitigated by adjusting the machine so that the angle of knee flexion stays a little above 90 degrees at the furthest eccentric range of motion.

15 or more degrees to be exact. So get out your protractor and set that bitch.

From most things I've read stay away from leg extensions they suck for your knees...

Originally Posted by kenwood

they dont hurt my knees (keep away LexusGS)

Please Do not mention my name Kenwood bro.

Originally Posted by LexusGS

Please Do not mention my name Kenwood bro.

P-Funk explained in a previous thread the effects of leg extentions. I dont' do them anymore.

Never had a problem with them

Originally Posted by Doublebase

P-Funk explained in a previous thread the effects of leg extentions. I dont' do them anymore.

Same here. It may be right, or it may not. I simply don't do questionable exercises (like behind the neck presses), especially when there are plenty of alternatives.

Tell Tom that leg extensions are not a worthwhile exercise!

The only time I damaged one of my knees was with the squat( a long time ago).

I've hardly ever done leg extensions until recently when I bought this new Weider Bench. Finding the leg extension quite usable I decided to try it out. I put in 3 sets of extensions after three sets of squats. The amount of weight is low,so I can maybe not quite judge the effects of the leg extension under heavy weight......

General impression is good though. My lower back starts to fail in the squat long before the thighs , have been exhausted. So the leg extension , after the squat has added a nasty 'new bite' to my thigh workouts........ It becomes very painful , but not in the knees.

And it seems to be showing results - to early on that to have a 100% opinion though.

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

Tell Tom that leg extensions are not a worthwhile exercise!

Tom was a genetic leg freak on 'roids. I'm neither of those.

All exercises have inherent risk. But this usually come from using improper form. There are a few exercises that (may) have inherent structural issues. Such as behind the neck presses. You're putting your shoulder joints to one extreme of their ROM and asking them to do intense work. It's simply not worth the risk. And, for me, leg extensions are in the same group. I'd stay with them if there were no alternatives, but there are.

Originally Posted by Robert DiMaggio

I think they are a great exercise and I never had a problem with my knees personally.

Same here.

I don't use excessive poundages and I usually keep my reps in the 12-25 range.

Originally Posted by DOMS

Tom was a genetic leg freak on 'roids. I'm neither of those.

All exercises have inherent risk. But this usually come from using improper form. There are a few exercises that (may) have inherent structural issues. Such as behind the neck presses. You're putting your shoulder joints to one extreme of their ROM and asking them to do intense work. It's simply not worth the risk. And, for me, leg extensions are in the same group. I'd stay with them if there were no alternatives, but there are.

What are the alternatives to the leg extension?

Lunges, step-ups, etc...

Originally Posted by DOMS

Tom was a genetic leg freak on 'roids. I'm neither of those.

All exercises have inherent risk. But this usually come from using improper form. There are a few exercises that (may) have inherent structural issues. Such as behind the neck presses. You're putting your shoulder joints to one extreme of their ROM and asking them to do intense work. It's simply not worth the risk. And, for me, leg extensions are in the same group. I'd stay with them if there were no alternatives, but there are.

I completely agree with this. I stay away from any exercise that has more than the necessary inherent risk while using correct form. It's simply not worth it and there will always be substitutions for any exercise I can think of.

Originally Posted by DOMS

Lunges, step-ups, etc...

Step-ups -I don't have a clue about them.....Must read up more..

Lunges I have tried and now avoid them with a very long barge pole. (This is of course through personal opinion and may not apply to everyone....) I would not dare lungeing anything over 15kgs/32lbs. In my opinion , one horrible unbalanced exercise. (But I may be wrong of course)

hm!

Originally Posted by furion joe

I don't use excessive poundages and I usually keep my reps in the 12-25 range.

right, I would not advocate going "heavy", stick with at least 15 reps.

SO 10reps for 3 sets is OK?

Originally Posted by Nick+

Step-ups -I don't have a clue about them.....Must read up more..

Lunges I have tried and now avoid them with a very long barge pole. (This is of course through personal opinion and may not apply to everyone....) I would not dare lungeing anything over 15kgs/32lbs. In my opinion , one horrible unbalanced exercise. (But I may be wrong of course)

hm!

I always look at exercises that force increased balance as an extra challenge. I don't particularly like lunges either, but I do like unilateral and awkward exercises (poke into my journal and you'll see what I mean).

I grew to like lunges. Its not the most stable movement in the world but I never really had balance issues, I've always had pretty good skills on my feet.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

I always look at exercises that force increased balance as an extra challenge. I don't particularly like lunges either, but I do like unilateral and awkward exercises (poke into my journal and you'll see what I mean).

I just don't like one sided exercises.

I used to be interested in archery, and still vagually am. But if I start again I'll have to have to have right and left hand bow- and use them 50/50 . I've only presently got a medieval replica bow left handed.

Two legged extensions with the thighs seem pretty balanced to me. But I have to yet work up to heavier weights....

Lunges? I have my doubts about them .

Originally Posted by Mudge

I grew to like lunges. Its not the most stable movement in the world but I never really had balance issues, I've always had pretty good skills on my feet.

It would seem that I'm pretty insecure on my feet.............

Originally Posted by Nick+

I just don't like one sided exercises.

I used to be interested in archery, and still vagually am. But if I start again I'll have to have to have right and left hand bow- and use them 50/50 . I've only presently got a medieval replica bow left handed.

Two legged extensions with the thighs seem pretty balanced to me. But I have to yet work up to heavier weights....

Lunges? I have my doubts about them .

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by Squaggleboggin

Fair enough.

Hmmmmmmm!