leg press safer than squats? my n=1 experiment.

_noob_
_noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
edited February 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Cliff notes: NO.

For the second time in my life now I've hurt my back doing these dagblasted things to add some quad volume to leg day. NEVER had back issue from squats.

To hell with that wretched exercise.

Replies

  • dirty_dirty_eater
    dirty_dirty_eater Posts: 574 Member
    I'll take the other side on that one.

    Leg presses have less potential for injury. But, as they say, some people could "mess"-up a wet dream.
    :bigsmile:
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    stick to the pink weights noob...
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Cliff notes: NO.

    For the second time in my life now I've hurt my back doing these dagblasted things to add some quad volume to leg day. NEVER had back issue from squats.

    To hell with that wretched exercise.


    Lol this! I have NEVER pulled my back with a barbell... happens almost regularly with the leg press. In fact, it's exactly the reason I avoid it. As a general rule, I HATE machines. The leverages and the postions they put you in (regardless of how well you adjust it) just don't hold up for a second to free weights with good form.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    but, toe raises are the best exercise ever don't ya know

    Heel-Raises-on-Leg-Press-Machine.gif

    I'll use that one to do weighted squat jumps essentially- but usually under 200 lbs- not going crazy- I did them last night and I was at 150 I think? Like kind of light for what we were doing.

    I can't stand the ones that you have to sit DOWN into. Such a pain in the *kitten*- and I really do'nt like the stretch I get on my back. I've never pulled my back doing it- but it makes me wildly uncomfortable.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    If you don't keep your back glued to the pad (no arching/using the back to press) the result will end up being a sore back.

    Also OP - you get the prize for the most interesting avatar I've seen on this forum.
  • jpolinisse
    jpolinisse Posts: 149 Member
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/squat-versus-leg-press-for-big-legs.html

    http://scoobysworkshop.com/squat-myths/
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    If you don't keep your back glued to the pad (no arching/using the back to press) the result will end up being a sore back.

    Also OP - you get the prize for the most interesting avatar I've seen on this forum.

    And don't go so far down that your round your butt up.
  • mheebner
    mheebner Posts: 285 Member
    but, toe raises are the best exercise ever don't ya know

    Heel-Raises-on-Leg-Press-Machine.gif

    Wait..is that supposed to be sarcastic ? I ask because the gym I go to only has two calf raise machines but like five leg press machines so I usually do some calf presses on the leg machines sorta like the picture above just because I can never get on the calf raise machines ever. Oh course I am usually doing them with the maximum weight the machine has
  • SpeSHul_SnoflEHk
    SpeSHul_SnoflEHk Posts: 6,256 Member
    For me it depends on what kind of legpress I am doing. I really put my back in a tizzy once doing this kind of leg press:

    Paramount-Leg-Press-Equipement.jpg

    But, I have been doing this one for a few months now, and have not had a single problem:

    $(KGrHqF,!ocFI)86Rv(OBSV,f,OJp!~~60_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

    ETA: Yes I use this for my calf raises as well. I pop out my set of presses, and then shift my feet and jam out calf raises at the end.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    If you don't keep your back glued to the pad (no arching/using the back to press) the result will end up being a sore back.
    And don't go so far down that your round your butt up.

    Egg-zactly. If you have tight hamstrings, like a lot of guys do, that can pull your spine off the backrest when you go deep. Recipe for disaster.

    Also, having a "leg day" also increases the risk of injury, since your form on your 12th set of legs is probably not going to be as good as your first set.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories