Guidance about leg presses

teamAmelia

If I remember correctly, I can lift about 200 pounds and each one takes me about 4 seconds (I try to go slow bc I was told that you're not supposed to go fast). How long should it take me to complete one/am I going to slow, too fast? About how many should I do for each set and about how many sets should I do? Thanks!

rick_po

What other lower body work are you doing? Is this your primary lower body lift?

If you're struggling with your form, go slow and concentrate on keeping good form, otherwise don't worry about speed. Just don't jerk, and don't push so fast that the weight still has momentum at the end of the movement.

teamAmelia

Well, I just started yesterday, and I was also going to use the leg extension and leg curl machine for lower body. The leg presses would be the one that I would do more of because they seem so easy and I find that I struggle doing the extensions. I feel it burning too much just after a few reps, even with the lightest weights, and the curls feel like I'm about to get a leg cramp, so I probably will do those even less of the curls. Thanks for your help.

ernestbecker

Amelia,

I want to encourage you to continue lifting as I believe, esp for women, this is one of the best forms of exercise to keep your body looking and feeling good, and more importantly, your bones strong. I've found this link very helpful on learning how to do different weight exercises. Also, DONT worry about gaining muscle weight or bulking up real big, it just doesn't happen unless you start taking steroids. It's a fallacy to think otherwise.

http://www.leehayward.com/exercises/index.htm

Good luck and let me know if this link helps.

Ernie.

teamAmelia

Thank you, Ernie.