Leg Press Vs. Squat - SuperiorMuscle.com

wordski · #1 05-18-06, 09:05 AM

Well the title pretty much sums it up.I see alot of people here are doing squats, but Im not that comfortable with that idea just yet.But I still want to build nice leg muscles,so is the leg press a good alternative?I think once I build up my leg muscles and get them used to lifting weights and also build up my core muscles then I'll graduate to squats.Also, the leg presses are done in conjunction with,leg extensions,hamstring curls,and standing calf raises.

go Yankees · #2 05-18-06, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordski

I think once I build up my leg muscles and get them used to lifting weights and also build up my core muscles then I'll graduate to squats.

that's probably the best-sounding part of what you said...you really should do squats to complete your leg development, try to incorporate them as soon as you can

ROCKILLER · #3 05-18-06, 10:22 AM

I had kinda the same thought when I started, mostly because I was scared to do real squats. I think you should start now. Even if its just the bar, use them for warmup. Its a whole lot easier to get the technique and the balance down with a light weight. Also, you its great to strengthen your core. One thing I notice about when I started doing squats is I had the bar too far up onto the back of my neck and it hurt. Once I learned to hold it back a little further onto the top of my back it is much more comfortable.

babyblues · #4 05-18-06, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROCKILLER

I had kinda the same thought when I started, mostly because I was scared to do real squats. I think you should start now. Even if its just the bar, use them for warmup. Its a whole lot easier to get the technique and the balance down with a light weight. Also, you its great to strengthen your core. One thing I notice about when I started doing squats is I had the bar too far up onto the back of my neck and it hurt. Once I learned to hold it back a little further onto the top of my back it is much more comfortable.

Exactly. Get the technique down now. Don't forget that you don't have to have strong legs before you start squatting. That's the point...to develop your legs and nothing does that better than squats. Like Rock said, you can start with the bar or even just do free-standing squats with no weight. If you wait until you feel you can handle more weight before you start squatting, you're going to run into more problems.

**FitnessBrat** · #5 05-18-06, 11:32 AM

Have you tried squatting in the smith machine? That might make you feel a little more comfortable just to start.

wordski · #6 05-18-06, 11:11 PM

Ill give it a try tomorrow morning when I go...thanks for the advice

xxxkazxxx · #7 05-19-06, 08:58 PM

Ive always used the smith machine, but I'd like to start squatting freely. Unfortunately my balance suks to pieces when i do it. I seem to fall backwards so the smith machine obviously stops me from landin on my arse. Somoeone suggested i try putting a pair of weights under my heels to prevent that if I squat freely. I havnt yet tried it. Anyone think that might work?

Control · #8 05-20-06, 02:10 AM

Learn to squat now (with a barbell not a smith machine). Develop that balance and flexibility by squatting deep with just the bar.

bowbow · #9 05-20-06, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxkazxxx

Ive always used the smith machine, but I'd like to start squatting freely. Unfortunately my balance suks to pieces when i do it. I seem to fall backwards so the smith machine obviously stops me from landin on my arse. Somoeone suggested i try putting a pair of weights under my heels to prevent that if I squat freely. I havnt yet tried it. Anyone think that might work?

You never want to put anything under your feet when squating. The reason you have no balance is that the smith machine doesn't activate all the little stabilizer muscles. You to need to lighten your weight until you feel comfortable. In the end you'll benifit from doing free standing squats.

ROCKILLER · #10 05-20-06, 03:32 PM

I do regular squats and I go as low as possible, even though its not with a ton of weight yet. I tried using a smith machine a few weeks ago and my back didnt like it at all.

babyblues · #11 05-21-06, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Control

Learn to squat now (with a barbell not a smith machine). Develop that balance and flexibility by squatting deep with just the bar.

Seriously, this is awesome advice. Listen to Control and bowwow. There is no single exercise that is more effective than squats with a barbell.

swollpatroll · #12 05-22-06, 01:04 PM

smith machine is a handy cap always try to stay a way from it!

crombie09 · #13 05-23-06, 11:58 AM

Tons of good advice here. I just started doing squats again. I always hated them b/c they would hurt my neck so bad, but I've developed enough muscle on my back where I can just set it on the muscle and it doesnt hurt. Let me tell you one thing I did 6 sets of squats yesterday, 2 warm up, 3 lifting and a low weight rep out and I have never had the soreness from doing all the leg machines combined. I wouls spend an hour in the gym doing legs and wouldnt be too sore, I did six set of squats yesterday and today I can barely walk. Squats are awesome.

wordski · #14 06-02-06, 12:51 AM

Well today was my first time attempting squats.There were in the smith machine,I went with only the bar at first to get a feel for the movement and to make sure that my form was good(i hope,I kept my back as straight as possible throgh the entire movement).Once I got comfortable, I added some weight.i started off with 95lbs. for 10 reps and that felt good,so then I bumped it to 115.I felt that was enough for the first day and I did 2 sets of 10 reps each.On the last set i was feeling the burn all the way,trying to go as close to ass to grass as I could.

Anywho, one question,does how much u already weigh play a major part on ur ability to squat big weight?For example,I already weigh 280,so if I squat 115lbs. its kinda like Im really squatting 395,I know its not measured that way but it just feel like if I lose more weight my squat numbers will go up becuse I have less body weight and can add more weight to the bar and still be comfortable with the weight....

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT REPLIED!!YOU GUYS GOT ME PAST THE FEAR OF DOING SOMETHING NEW AND NOW I LOOK FORWARD TO LEG DAY.....

Also should I ditch the leg press or does it still have its role on leg day?

AxHartford15 · #15 06-02-06, 01:49 AM

Stick to doing the squats first thing and leg press after if you feel you need them. Keep up squatting as low as you can thats the best way to build up strength and flexibility.

babyblues · #16 06-02-06, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordski

Well today was my first time attempting squats.There were in the smith machine,I went with only the bar at first to get a feel for the movement and to make sure that my form was good(i hope,I kept my back as straight as possible throgh the entire movement).

You didn't listen. Stay away from the smith machine.

wordski · #17 06-02-06, 09:41 AM

babyblues · #18 06-02-06, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordski

why?

Well, even when you get used to squatting with the smith machine, you're going to have to start the process all over again when you decide to graduate to free-standing squats. That's because the smith machine isn't nearly as effective and the two are completely different. It's just better if you start free-standing squats now with little or even no weight. Reread most of this thread. I can't explain it nearly as well as these guys can and have already.

ROCKILLER · #19 06-02-06, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordski

why?

Its not just about your quads, or even just your legs. I real squat works the whole lower body including all of the little stabilizers. This is because you not only have to push the weight up, you have to keep it balanced and in place too. Keep in mind that at first it may hurt the back of your neck/top of your back but pretty soon you will build up some muscle there and it will be fine. Squats are my favorite even though they are probably the hardest.

beefcake · #20 06-02-06, 11:36 AM

Don't stop doing the leg presses. Those are great for adding size. I do them right after squats.

ROCKETW19 · #21 06-02-06, 12:28 PM

how tall are you guys that are sayin dont use the smith machine? i use the smith machine everytime my quads are just fine. i do squats mostly for my outter quads thats were i lack the most and with the smith i can bring my feet closer and point my toes straight with my feet out in front of me. no one can do that with free weight. but i do agree start out with free weights and see if its for you. id did and it wasnt. and what ever you do dont use that damm sissy pad for your neck/back.

beefcake · #22 06-02-06, 02:10 PM

The smith allows you to place your feet at angles to hit certain areas of your legs that you can't with free base squats. I don't use the smith, but I do notice that when I have, I was able to place my feet farther out front to help hit the hams and glutes more.

wordski · #23 06-02-06, 03:39 PM

Okay I see what you guys are saying,the only problem is when I tried to do free squats,it felt weird and I couldnt bend anywhere near as far as I could using the smith(almost ass to grass).Also there is no one at the gym who squats freely,hell there is never a wait for the smith machine even,so i cant ask anyone to teach me the correct form.

ROCKILLER · #24 06-02-06, 04:20 PM

someone can post a link but there are tons of pics and videos around to show you the proper form. Its worth it to learn, you will get used to the stretch. I go down much further than when I first started. Keep in mind that when you start out, youre going to feel like youre going to fall over backwards. You'll get the hang of it though.

bm1984 · #25 06-06-06, 01:32 PM

i did legs for the first time in about 3 years, and i cant even walk up and done my stairs, fuck squats

ROCKILLER · #26 06-06-06, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROCKETW19

how tall are you guys that are sayin dont use the smith machine? ..... and what ever you do dont use that damm sissy pad for your neck/back.

I,m 5'9". I see people in the gym using the smith for squats and it just looks like ef they ever put any real weight on they would throw out their backs. Like their feet are behind the bar almost. It almost makes me wince sometimes. X2 on the pad thing, thats what your traps are for.

babyblues · #27 06-06-06, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROCKILLER

I,m 5'9". I see people in the gym using the smith for squats and it just looks like ef they ever put any real weight on they would throw out their backs. Like their feet are behind the bar almost. It almost makes me wince sometimes. X2 on the pad thing, thats what your traps are for.

Um, no, actually your traps are for lifting your arms up. Muscles aren't supposed to be pads or cushions. I use the pad because, well, I like to.