Leg Press and Pelvic Pain

webuiltthisnicky

Hi folks!

I've been at the gym for the last few months but only recently went to a PT to design a programme for me. He put the leg press machine on it, which was fine. I've noticed lately though that I've been dealing with some twinges of pain around the pelvic/groin area and I'm wondering if this could be causing it. Has anyone else had this?

I was also wondering if anyone knows of an alternative exercise for thighs/butt that would be less likely to cause this pain if leg press is the cause. Preferably another machine I can use as I still feel really 'exposed' on the mat and always expect to be judged for doing something wrong, but if there was no alternative but floor exercises I'd need to deal with it I guess lol!

KittensMaster

Maybe those muscles are weaker than your quads ?

I felt tightness in those attachments at the inserts of muscles into the groin area but never pain. That was related to range of motion taking the sled down low.

Pulled groin issues can get you off your game for a while to recover

I would have someone watch you and also reduce your amount of reps and weight

You don't want a nagging long lasting groin injury. Those seem to linger and last since you always use your core. And that is a core related stress situation.

Twinges of pain is not normal. Tightness maybe but not intermittent twinges or stabbing pain.

cheshirecatastrophe

Yeah, the leg press machine forces you into a specific range of motion that might not be comfortable for you, and eliminates a lot of the work of stabilizing muscles which can cause imbalances. You could try dropping the weight and shifting your feet around on the pad, changing the angle you place your foot at to target different muscles (the quadriceps isn't just one muscle), I guess, but if that's the route you want to take, I would talk to my PT first about how to make sure I hit all the right muscle groups.

If you don't want to lift free weights/barbells, have you tried doing bodyweight squats or goblet squats with a dumbbell?

Nobody else is judging you! Not even in their own heads. People are at the gym to do their thing and pay attention to themselves. All the judging is coming from yourself. Be proud. Own it. You are doing an awesome thing and getting stronger.

pearshapedmum

not sure about the pain, but you could always try hip thrust exercise. very effective!

Bacchants

Is it definitely pain? Or the soreness after a new regime? After my first few PT sessions I was so sore I could barely get up the stairs, but it was an aching soreness not a sharp pain. Generally pain isn't a good sign and can be from poor form etc. Also as Chesirecat says, the leg press forces you into one range of motion and means you aren't getting the benefit of improving the muscles you use for stabilisation when free squatting.

Can you ask your PT to show you how to use the squat rack? They're scary at first but once you know what to do they are awesome.

When I started I struggled to do a proper bodyweight squat, so I used the leg press to begin with, and several stretches to improve my flexibility so I could so bodyweight squat. Now I use the squat rack when it's free or goblet squats if it isn't.

As you get better you won't feel so exposed, perhaps ask your PT to work with you on the mat so you feel you know what you are doing?

webuiltthisnicky

Hi folks, thanks for your responses. I think it's definitely a technique issue, as it's not so much that muscular soreness that comes from a new workout as sharp twinge sort of in front of where your pubic bone would sit and groin (so ladylike lol!) and it could be like a strain or something. Going to have to speak with my PT about squats, and just suck it up and do them on the floor like a big girl lol!