Leg Press Question

[AirCartman]

I decided to try a new way to do the leg press. Instead of going about 1/2 to 3/4 way back, i went nearly all the way back on the push back. My knees were close to my abdomen. It was a lot more painful this way, almost scary painful in my thighs. Is this the correct way, b/c i felt it in my upper thigh this time more then in my lower quad. Or is the right way to go half way till you feel the slightest burn? All suggestions appreciated.

 

[Yanick]

going too far back will make your pelvis posteriorly tilt which can cause injury to your spine (lumbar?) under heavy loads.

best thing to do is scratch the leg press and start squatting, but if you are intent on leg pressing have someone watch you and see where your pelvis starts tilting, you need to stop the movement right before that starts happening. for an increased ROM you can make your hamstrings more flexible that way you can bring you knees further back without your pelvis going into a posterior tilt.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

Just do ATG squats. I know I say this a lot, but it works.

 

[Cowbell]

You can target different parts of your legs more depending on where you place your feet and the direction they point. Feet in and close works your butt more while feet out and apart works upper quads...also works with squat

 

[AirCartman]

I'm going to try squat.. But i've been doing leg press for so long.. So is the consenus don't go to far back? Or what?

 

[Cowbell]

Not if it hurts (meaning bad pain)

 

[Cowbell]

you could try box squats

 

[Cold Iron]

just make sure your lower back maintains contact with the back padding at all times and you'll be fine

 

[LAM]

I'm going to try squat.. But i've been doing leg press for so long.. So is the consenus don't go to far back? Or what?

gone down as far as you can with out having your low back round off the support.

 

[LAM]

best thing to do is scratch the leg press and start squatting

for an athlete I would say that doing some form of free weight squats is essential. but for those training strictly for hypertrophy the free weight squat is not needed. i've seen plenty a weight trainer build 30"+ plus thighs with out ever touching a squat rack.

 

[AirCartman]

I am training strictly for hypertrophy, not for strength OR athletics.

 

[Yanick]

for an athlete I would say that doing some form of free weight squats is essential. but for those training strictly for hypertrophy the free weight squat is not needed. i've seen plenty a weight trainer build 30"+ plus thighs with out ever touching a squat rack.

very true, however who knows how much faster those people might have built those 30+ inch thighs with free weight squats, and all its variations. barring injury or other extraneous circumstances, i believe the best/fastest results will come from the basic free weight exercises, not their machine/cable variations...just IMO of course.