beginner leg press

btkkterry

I started lifting about a month and a half ago and and I've moved my weight on the leg press from 100 lbs to 125 lbs. My friends all say that's too low. I do 3 sets of 8 and really struggle to do the last 2 or 3 of each set. I was curious what other beginners leg press

ksavy

I am a girl, so may not be as helpful. I bumped up from 100 to 110 this week doing 3 sets of 12. Will bump it up again in a couple weeks most likely. I started doing weights about 4 weeks ago.

**Edited to fix spelling**

btkkterry

I am a girl, so may not be as helpful. I bumped up from 100 to 110 this week doing 3 sets of 12. Will bump it up again in a couple weeks most likely. I started doing weights about 4 weeks ago.

**Edited to fix spelling**

Thanks

jppd47

I started lifting about a month and a half ago and and I've moved my weight on the leg press from 100 lbs to 125 lbs. My friends all say that's too low. I do 3 sets of 8 and really struggle to do the last 2 or 3 of each set. I was curious what other beginners leg press

In general that would seem low for you. As you must weigh more than that and can walk around and jump. But if you keep it up and regularly add weight you'll progress. Its great that your getting into resistance work outs!

this type of machine?

lilpoindexter

I started doing leg press with plates about a month ago with two 45's or a total of 90, but I quickly went up to 270 where I'm at today. I ride a bike alot, so I probably had some latent muscle just waiting to rear it's beautiful head. I love the leg press...It's really toned up my legs, and given me the muscle I need for those quick bursts of speed when I'm biking (like to pass slower bikers).

With three plates on each side, I can do 3 sets of 10 relatively easy, but rather than go up in weight, I am going lower (closer to my chest) with the leg pres...I wouldn't dare go so low with a weight I couldn't control as easily.

ninerbuff

Women totally under estimate how much they can leg press. ALL my female clients can at least leg press 200lbs. Don't see yourself short and it does wonders to help tighten up that butt too.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ksavy

Women totally under estimate how much they can leg press. ALL my female clients can at least leg press 200lbs. Don't see yourself short and it does wonders to help tighten up that butt too.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I did 170 as my max when I started, which is a little more than I weigh, so the trainer wanted me doing reps with a lower amount but to keep adding weight as soon as I could do the 3 sets without struggling.

smokinjackd

Hey, your doing it, that is all that counts.

jazee11

Good info about he leg press and women. I plan to join a gym within the next couple of weeks and start lifting as well.

amruden

I do 3-4 sets of 270lbs, going up next week.

Love the leg press.

MetilHed

I started lifting about a month and a half ago and and I've moved my weight on the leg press from 100 lbs to 125 lbs. My friends all say that's too low. I do 3 sets of 8 and really struggle to do the last 2 or 3 of each set. I was curious what other beginners leg press

It does seem kind of low, considering your legs are the largest and strongest muscle group of the body.

If it isn't hard to walk up or down stairs after you're done, you're probably not doing enough : )

harlanJEN

I think it's different for everyone. Building strength and progression - you will get there.

With that said, I leg press 460.

I had right TKR early last year. I was pressing 150 easily when I finished PT 5 weeks post-op

911no

I do 3 sets of 15 with 310lbs and am getting stronger all the time

Growtinymusclesgrow

I will chime in because I love taking issue with how much people think someone should be lifting. After reading your post. I noticed that you said you do 3 stes and struggle on the last two or three. If that is the case, you are fine! Don't ever substitute plates for form! I don't care if you can only do 20 pounds...as long as you are doing them correctly. I see people in my gym slap 6 plates on each side and do presses with crappy form. If you like you knees and lower back, you will only go up in weight when you no longer struggle on the last few reps of each set. Trust me, you will be pressing with the big boys (and girls) in no time.

When I do legs, my first two sets are with 360, 10-12 reps and the I do two sets with 45, 3-7 reps.

btkkterry

I think it's different for everyone. Building strength and progression - you will get there.

With that said, I leg press 460.

I had right TKR early last year. I was pressing 150 easily when I finished PT 5 weeks post-op

Wow, that's great

Rawr1978

I was told by a trainer that if you get the burn and you feel it the day after, you're lifting the right amount.
I started out with 150, and am now up to 180.

vfnmoody

If you can squat to you heels and stand up you should be able to press about one and a half times to twice your body weight. Physics say you are only lifting a fraction of the weight on the sled.

dad106

I leg press 225 and could prob. do more, but the way my trainer has me do reps, 225 is plenty.

KaydeForce

I'm a girl and just started out at 150lbs. I could do more I guess (I'm doing 3 sets of 12 repetitions).
I've seen guys who only leg pressed about 100lbs. Since I'm not particularly strong I'm sure they could do more and I'm sure you could do more too. Maybe you're just underestimating yourself?

KaydeForce

BUT: My strength seems to be very unevenly distributed. I tried out the biceps curl machine (not the free weights, but one of the machines...) for the very first time today. The lowest setting is 15lbs. I tried and nothing moved. I thought the machine was broken. I tried again and it finally moved *lol* So yeah, I can leg press 150lbs but I can't biceps curl 15lbs?!?

vfnmoody

BUT: My strength seems to be very unevenly distributed. I tried out the biceps curl machine (not the free weights, but one of the machines...) for the very first time today. The lowest setting is 15lbs. I tried and nothing moved. I thought the machine was broken. I tried again and it finally moved *lol* So yeah, I can leg press 150lbs but I can't biceps curl 15lbs?!?

that would be normal. I could in good form leg press about 800lbs but would have trouble curling 80 with good form.

btkkterry

I think it's different for everyone. Building strength and progression - you will get there.

With that said, I leg press 460.

I had right TKR early last year. I was pressing 150 easily when I finished PT 5 weeks post-op

Wow, good job

jesz124

I started lifting about a month and a half ago and and I've moved my weight on the leg press from 100 lbs to 125 lbs. My friends all say that's too low. I do 3 sets of 8 and really struggle to do the last 2 or 3 of each set. I was curious what other beginners leg press

Personally, I don't think it matters what anyone else is pressing. Like you said, you really struggle with your last couple of reps so the weight is working for you. As long as you always make it hard and lift as heavy as you can your ok IMO. Are you adding weight every workout?

btkkterry

Not every workout, I try adding 5 lbs maybe every other time but usually can't finish the last one.

XXXMinnieXXX

As long as it pushes you it is, not too low... Everyone has to start somewhere! That sounds great to me x

poedunk65

I have had a knee replacement and am only allowed light weights. So I use the leg press machine. I do 4 sets of 30 with 100 lbs. I can press like 350 lbs though. High repas and low/moderate weights will give you more definition, low reps with high weights will make you bulk up. It also tears up your knees.

btkkterry

As long as it pushes you it is, not too low... Everyone has to start somewhere! That sounds great to me x

Thanks

lacroyx

I started at 573. 123 for the inital resistance with no plates and 10x 45 plates. I have huge thick legs and I'll never fit into skinny boy jeans. :laugh: My current max is 1243 lbs. I have some female MFP friends who easily do over 1K as well.

kinmad4it

If that's all you can manage then that's enough! No point adding more weight just to satisfy someone elses opinion of what you should be doing and failing miserably, or worse still, injuring yourself.
Keep at it and the weight will rise over time. Remember, this is not a sprint but a marathon. See what weight you're lifting in 6 months time from now, not 6 days.

frando

I leg press 90 kg on my toes (it helps with my ankles) and 120 kg properly, 198 lb and 264 lbs respectively, but I'm due to up it again as I'm finding it too easy.

The thing with weights we progress when we're ready, there's no right or wrong at how much you should be doing. When you're finding your able to progress onto the next stage then do it- I started with 70 kg, 150 lbs - but I've always had strong legs.

Move on when you're ready but don't push yourself

btkkterry

As long as it pushes you it is, not too low... Everyone has to start somewhere! That sounds great to me x

thanks