Leg Press Vs. Squat

[wordski]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[wordski]

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

[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?

[Control]

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

[bowbow]

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]

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]

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]

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

[crombie09]

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]

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]

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.