leg press vs. squats

[deadit]

Do what feels best for you but with that said I also see a lot of guys who go with the smith squats and leg presses to avoid free squats. I feel that the smith squats and the leg presses have there place as change of routine exercises.If your goal is to get your legs as big and strong is possible then there is no substitute for the free squat but if your lookin to tone and shape then the leg press is fine.

[beefcake]

Originally posted by deadit
but if your lookin to tone and shape then the leg press is fine.

Nothing overloads the quads quite like leg presses. I find it hard to believe that lifting 900lbs on the leg press is only good for toning and shaping. Leg press is good for releasing test and gh as well. Like I said earlier, best to use both for superior quad development.

[Primal Instinct]

My question is how come we can become nauseated when doing a particularly heavy and intense leg workout? Why does it seem to be just legs and not other bodyparts that this happens?

[beefcake]

Originally posted by Primal Instinct
My question is how come we can become nauseated when doing a particularly heavy and intense leg workout? Why does it seem to be just legs and not other bodyparts that this happens?

I notice it's mostly compound movements that get me sick. Like squats and deads. No idea why though.

[Primal Instinct]

That 's what I meant- squats mostly. Is it just because of overall strain on the core with the addition of vertical movement? I've gotten nauseated on occasion and can't pinpoint why exactly it happens. Empty or full stomach- it doesn't matter.

[BadGenCD]

This one is rather simple, didn't read all above pts so excuse me if I repeat. Squats are free motion so = more muscle fiber recruitment = more growth. But, that being said, leg press is very effective too and both should be used in any good leg routine.

[iceberg]

Squats first unless problems with knees or back as you mentioned, so stick with presses, but do some lighter squats as you feel you can handle them.

Try front squats. you have to use a lot less weight and they take a little getting use to, but they are a great variation.

ICEberg

[psychojr36]

i loved doing squats till i blew out my knee about 3 years ago. now i have to stick with the leg press because my knee just cnt handle the preasure on squats weather it is one plate or four. but for some reason teh leg press does not effect my knee at all

[Stonecold54]

This one is rather simple, didn't read all above pts so excuse me if I repeat. Squats are free motion so = more muscle fiber recruitment = more growth. But, that being said, leg press is very effective too and both should be used in any good leg routine.

that isn't completely true....free weight motions use straight line resistance (gravity). That means the top 20-30 degrees you are using bone support and hardly any muscle to move the weight. Just think of the weight you could do on partial reps in the top 1/3 part of the squat motion. Now compare that to how much you can only handle with full squats because the bottom portion is the only part where there is a direct resistance and as you get higher in the movement it decreases as you go but you are still limited to the weight you can handle at the bottom part of the squat. That is why a hammer strength or a comparable machine is much better than free weights. The cams built into the machine change the resistance in accordance to the specific part of the ROM. Accurate Variable resistance is one of the most important requirments in training.