Leg press ave. WTAF!
Kdp2015
Posts: 519 Member
Feeling a bit grumpy, just read (in several places) the 'average' woman should be able to leg press double her body weight! I didn't think I was that weak, I weight 65kg and have only just worked up to 80kg for 4 reps!! Please tell me I'm not the only one??
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It's funny, but when I was 95lb I could push 300 with my legs and it confused me, I didn't think I was strong. It's like the machine was designed to maximize the weight you could press. Perhaps you have a different machine. How much can you squat?0
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Feeling a bit grumpy, just read (in several places) the 'average' woman should be able to leg press double her body weight! I didn't think I was that weak, I weight 65kg and have only just worked up to 80kg for 4 reps!! Please tell me I'm not the only one??
Don't know where you've read that but it's incorrect. To press double your body weight, the muscles in your legs need trained. The average woman does not have that strength by simply going about their daily business.
Keep training it will come.2 -
I've sat on many leg press machines that let me press way more than I can squat. Mechanical advantage is awesome for my ego.5
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Keep working on it. Everyone starts somewhere. I imagine you'll make rapid improvements in this area.0
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I have no idea who decides that someone should be able to lift "X" amount their body weight. It's just an arbitrary number that someone spouts so they can write an article. It is based on nothing and just discourages the majority of the population who cannot do that!3
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It depends so, so much on the machine and in particular the range of motion you're using. Don't get discouraged!2
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Thanks, I can't squat as much as I'd like because I struggle to get a heavier barbell over my head - any tips?0
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Yeah...I mean, I can definitely leg press more than double my body weight for reps. I'm relatively well trained though? I don't know what to say..0
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Why?arditarose wrote: »
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Why?arditarose wrote: »
For safety....First of all, there are safety bars so you can bail if the weight is too heavy. And like you said, how are you going to advance in weight if you can't press it over your head? That's just dangerous at a certain point.0 -
I assumed I would have to work in the muscles that allow me to lift it over...0
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Why in the world are you lifting the bar over your head to squat? That seems incredibly dangerous. Just use a squat rack, power rack or if you like living dangerously, some squat stands. You will be able to squat a whole lot more than you can lift over your head, very quickly.0
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Ok thanks, it's not something I've even considered before so should be really helpful (I've always lifted it over my head as that's what I was taught in body pump)0
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Oh....I mean, that's what you do in that class. I don't think there's much of a progressive overload there if I recall. If you really want to start squatting heavier, you'll want to move to the free weights and squat rack.0
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Ok cool (quite excited about trying it now)
should I wait for an instructor to show me how to use a rack? 0 -
I'd get an instructor to help with form tbh, form is vital when moving heavy stuff
But yes make sure you know how to set it up properly...the day I set the safeties on upside down, went too deep and dropped and got knocked on my *kitten* by 60kg that just kept on rolling is still fresh in my mind
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Lol, thank you
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Thanks, I can't squat as much as I'd like because I struggle to get a heavier barbell over my head - any tips?
I also found an interest in lifting through body pump but you can only get about 40kg on those bars and even that is tough to lift over your head. If you want to heavy squat then you need to get out of class and into the free weights section of the gym!
Use a squat rack and build up slowly. Follow a properly devised program such as SL5X5, starting strength or ice cream fitness etc (I'm a SL advocate but each to their own). Definitely get someone to show you proper form - heavy weights are only dangerous in the wrong hands!
Good luck with your new found love! Nothing better than the feeling of squatting >100kg!1 -
Thanks I'm def considering strong lifts, I'm just waiting to see an instructor about using the rack and bench. I'm a bit worried my gym only has one rack though, how long would you say you need to spend in it? Is it better to do one exercise after the other or all sets for one in a row?1
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I can't imagine getting 40 over my head I struggle at 20, only just worked up to 35 on deadlift and that's hurting today!0
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Thanks I'm def considering strong lifts, I'm just waiting to see an instructor about using the rack and bench. I'm a bit worried my gym only has one rack though, how long would you say you need to spend in it? Is it better to do one exercise after the other or all sets for one in a row?
Mine also has one rack only ...it's a pain
I have to run the gauntlet to get it ...sometimes I just adapt and do others because I get a little nervous (which is on me not other gym users) ..but yes do your sets and don't give it up till you are done ...or let others work in ...I tend to superset rather than rest so I will generally squat then put in a dumbbell pull exercise or push ups
If I can't get the rack I'll do goblet squats or use TRX cos I'm trying to get those one legged squat things going1 -
Yea I'm not sure why I feel like I've got less right to use things than other people at the gym, just feel a bit like an alien there still!0
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Yea I'm not sure why I feel like I've got less right to use things than other people at the gym, just feel a bit like an alien there still!
It's a male dominated area (very much so in my gym) so you've got the female to 'pack of built males' nervousness thing going on (that's just ingrained)
that said the general attitude is I'm doing my thing you do yours, the guys who give off the neanderthalic vibe are really not common, the majority are doing their own thing, decent and will help if you need it (like lift a 60kg barbell off you and back on rack)
I tend to head down, headphones on oblivious tbh and will occasionally ask how many sets left and if they offer to work in go for it
Also you're a noob ...anything new when there's experienced people there is nervewracking
Makes sense to me to be a bit nervous...but it's mainly misplaced1 -
Thanks I'm def considering strong lifts, I'm just waiting to see an instructor about using the rack and bench. I'm a bit worried my gym only has one rack though, how long would you say you need to spend in it? Is it better to do one exercise after the other or all sets for one in a row?
When you're first starting you won't spend too long in there, maybe 20 minutes? SL is not a super setting kind of workout so you'll just go in, squat, and go. Then you might overhead press there too.1 -
Great thanks everyone0
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Ok so I met with gym instructor last night to help me use what I thought was a rack...the gym actually only has a smith machine, can I up my squat lift in this or is it time to find a new gym??0
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I tried reading through the smith machine post but it's all a bit messy and complicated sorry!0
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