to legpress or not to leg press

[IronReload04]

what do you think would be a better routine?

squat 3 sets
leg press 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
or
squat 3 sets
leg ext 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
opinions please

[Soldier of Misfortune]

Squats n leg press are basically the same motion but you can do hella more wieght w/ press. I do one of them one week and the other the next. I do that with exercises for shoulders, chest, and arms too.

[znak]

what do you think would be a better routine?

squat 3 sets
leg press 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
or
squat 3 sets
leg ext 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
opinions please

Best is squat 6 sets (20,12,12,12,10,10)
Leg extensions one leg at a time 4 sets (10,10,10, 10), then two drop sets
Leg curls- 6 sets (12, 12, 10, 10), then two drop sets

If you have energy, do let presses.

Legs take a LOT of work to make grow. You really got beat the sh*t out of them and EIGHT sets ain't going to cut it.

[bluethunder]

Leg press is great escpecially if you have some type of injury that makes squatting hard. Many bodybuilders now use the press as they have nagging injuries but they originally got mass from the squat.

[Hypertrophy]

what do you think would be a better routine?

squat 3 sets
leg press 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets

This one. More compound movements.

[arthurb999]

Do all three... for quads
and two excersises for hams.

[IronReload04]

Best is squat 6 sets (20,12,12,12,10,10)
Leg extensions one leg at a time 4 sets (10,10,10, 10), then two drop sets
Leg curls- 6 sets (12, 12, 10, 10), then two drop sets

If you have energy, do let presses.

Legs take a LOT of work to make grow. You really got beat the sh*t out of them and EIGHT sets ain't going to cut it.

i literally cant do more than 3 sets of squat. i cant see how anyone can. if you go to ABSOLUTE FAILURE on squats, trust me, 6 sets might kill you. i cant walk right after 1 set of squats. the last 2 sets are all will power and mind over muscle. my last 2 sets hurt in a way you cant understand if you do 6 sets. If you use, it might be a different story, but i am natty.

[brian11]

what do you think would be a better routine?

squat 3 sets
leg press 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
or
squat 3 sets
leg ext 2 sets
leg curl 2 sets
opinions please

I would say to throw in lunges.

squats, leg presses, lunges...and if you want to do the other stuff then go ahead, but exts and curls are more for shaping

[bigol'legs]

i literally cant do more than 3 sets of squat. i cant see how anyone can. if you go to ABSOLUTE FAILURE on squats, trust me, 6 sets might kill you. i cant walk right after 1 set of squats. the last 2 sets are all will power and mind over muscle. my last 2 sets hurt in a way you cant understand if you do 6 sets. If you use, it might be a different story, but i am natty.

is this joke?

[BigMike J]

is this joke?

must be because im laughing, but seriously i know that sometimes you might feel like a pussy and sometimes you don't almonds joy have nuts, but you don't. puahahahaha

jj

[IronReload04]

ok, how many of you on your first set, squat until you absolutely cant get one more rep, have someone give you 2 (barely helping) forced reps followed by 2 15 s rest pauses. or go until you cant squat anymore and go on to do 6-8 more rest pause reps?????

[bigol'legs]

I do.

First set is usually a warmup faluire 40 reps set with 225. ... if that doesnt warm you up...

And the following set is faluire... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next.... and the next.. and the last.

THen... on to leg press. 4 quick faluire/drop sets... and then onto a finish 4 set leg extension with upsets.

[SwoleCat]

ok, how many of you on your first set, squat until you absolutely cant get one more rep, have someone give you 2 (barely helping) forced reps followed by 2 15 s rest pauses. or go until you cant squat anymore and go on to do 6-8 more rest pause reps?????

Why would you want to?? I mean, you can yes, but it's not the only way to do legs.

You can do this, or a plethora of other things/methods. The above HIT approach does not work for most, not with legs anyhow. I don't believe in a crazy amount of volume, no, but the rest/pause HIT with squats usually leads to bad backs, sore knees, and more trouble than it's worth.

Try everything until you find your niche, that's the key for everyone.

~SC~

[TheChosenOne]

I do.

First set is usually a warmup faluire 40 reps set with 225. ... if that doesnt warm you up...

And the following set is faluire... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next.... and the next.. and the last.

THen... on to leg press. 4 quick faluire/drop sets... and then onto a finish 4 set leg extension with upsets.

Wow no wonder my legs look like arms and yours look like well...Man Legs

[brian11]

Why would you want to?? I mean, you can yes, but it's not the only way to do legs.

You can do this, or a plethora of other things/methods. The above HIT approach does not work for most, not with legs anyhow. I don't believe in a crazy amount of volume, no, but the rest/pause HIT with squats usually leads to bad backs, sore knees, and more trouble than it's worth.

Try everything until you find your niche, that's the key for everyone.

~SC~

what is your leg routine? legs are by far my weak spot so i can use all of the educated help i can get!!!

[bigol'legs]

Im gonna guess.. just like mine, SC's leg routine is different everytime he hits the gym.

[brian11]

Im gonna guess.. just like mine, SC's leg routine is different everytime he hits the gym.

well then lets hear it...

give me routines over a months time. seriously, every part of my body has seen massive changes except legs. i have bad lower back so for the next several weeks squats are gonna be light and on the smith machine, but i would seriously appreciate some advice. EDUCATED ADVICE. or at least advice that has seriously worked.

[TheChosenOne]

well then lets hear it...

give me routines over a months time. seriously, every part of my body has seen massive changes except legs. i have bad lower back so for the next several weeks squats are gonna be light and on the smith machine, but i would seriously appreciate some advice. EDUCATED ADVICE. or at least advice that has seriously worked.

Swole posted his workout. Do a quick search and you will find his workout. I know BOL posted his leg shocker workout also online. You can search for it and find it also. I have seen both in the last month or so.

[bigol'legs]

Swole posted his workout. Do a quick search and you will find his workout. I know BOL posted his leg shocker workout also online. You can search for it and find it also. I have seen both in the last month or so.

Leg shockers... put that in the search bar.

And in order for a leg routine to work for you... it has to be special taylored.Like SC said everyone is different. If your legs are laggin behind.. most of the time its lack of intensity/effort.

put them in the beginning of the week. And MORE SETS!!! the 6-8 Total that you posted... wouldnt pass for a newbie training routine. Im willing to bet you do more on bi/tri routines... why should a quad/ham be any less?

[znak]

And in order for a leg routine to work for you... it has to be special taylored.Like SC said everyone is different. If your legs are laggin behind.. most of the time its lack of intensity/effort.

put them in the beginning of the week. And MORE SETS!!! the 6-8 Total that you posted... wouldnt pass for a newbie training routine.

My legs are not up to your par, but are one of my stong points.

Time and intensity... that is the answer in the nutshell.

i literally cant do more than 3 sets of squat. i cant see how anyone can. if you go to ABSOLUTE FAILURE on squats, trust me, 6 sets might kill you. i cant walk right after 1 set of squats. the last 2 sets are all will power and mind over muscle. my last 2 sets hurt in a way you cant understand if you do 6 sets. If you use, it might be a different story, but i am natty.

Legs can take a LOT of beating. Mine can take a hell of lot more than three sets to failure. ABSOLUTE FAILURE lasts five- seven minutes for legs. I often finish killing my legs on the Hack so that my partner can safely spot since he is all shakey too by this point.

My actual workout is much more intense than what I posted/suggested here.

My key point has been echoed here over and over... 6-8 sets AIN'T enough.

[IronReload04]

My legs are not up to your par, but are one of my stong points.

Time and intensity... that is the answer in the nutshell.



Legs can take a LOT of beating. Mine can take a hell of lot more than three sets to failure. ABSOLUTE FAILURE lasts five- seven minutes for legs. I often finish killing my legs on the Hack so that my partner can safely spot since he is all shakey too by this point.

My actual workout is much more intense than what I posted/suggested here.

My key point has been echoed here over and over... 6-8 sets AIN'T enough.

i do 7 sets total every leg workout. 3 squats, 2 leg xt's, 2 leg curls, and you know what??? i have a hard time walking out of the gym and when i come back the next week...... I am stronger EVERY TIME.

[IronReload04]

I do.

First set is usually a warmup faluire 40 reps set with 225. ... if that doesnt warm you up...

And the following set is faluire... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next... and the next.... and the next.. and the last.

THen... on to leg press. 4 quick faluire/drop sets... and then onto a finish 4 set leg extension with upsets.

ok, on a given day, please list the weight you use for all 6 sets.

[bigol'legs]

225-40reps
275-30reps
315-20reps
365-15reps
405-12reps
505-8reps
585-6reps
625-4reps
700-2reps
700-2reps

Those are the 10 sets i listed above for squats.

[Prime]

225-40reps
275-30reps
315-20reps
365-15reps
405-12reps
505-8reps
585-6reps
625-4reps
700-2reps
700-2reps

Those are the 10 sets i listed above for squats.

What a shame you cant get a time machine and go back to the 80's to train with the golden eagle. Who would make who squeal like a girl Platz could squat 505 for 20+. Considering you are also natty i would say you are a total freak of nature. Even if i considerably dropped the weight, my legs would simply fall off if i tried your routein
By teh way whay are your rest periods like? 1 min? 2 mins?

[Dally]

By teh way whay are your rest periods like? 1 min? 2 mins?

ABSOLUTELY no way when he gets up in the 500 range for reps. Id put money on it, big ol legs is restin for at least 5 minutes before second last... to catch his breath... thats heavy man.

thats some good lifts tho big ol legs ... I must say!!...

[bigol'legs]

120 seconds when i get heavier in the weight. I try not to take more than 60 seconds on the first 3 warmup sets.

I WOULD LOVE TO TRAIN WITH PLATZ. I watched his training video with costa.. i was a little dissapointed. But the video i saw of him repping 505 for 20... man, i feel in love..

[IronReload04]

225-40reps
275-30reps
315-20reps
365-15reps
405-12reps
505-8reps
585-6reps
625-4reps
700-2reps
700-2reps

Those are the 10 sets i listed above for squats.

their is no way in hell that i could ever perform the same set twice in a row like you do with 700. Obviously you may be able to do somthing like 715-725 for one set of 2 instead of doing 700 for 2 for 2 sets. when i squat this is what i do
350 for 12
330 for 8
310 for 8
350 is my all out balls to the wall screaming at the top of my lung and blowing it out max set. by the time i am getting under 330, my legs are very wobbely. and if can rack the bar, that means i AINT done. this is how i train. i can easily (not so easily) do 6 sets they way you pyramid up with our weight selection in proportion.

[brian11]

225-40reps
275-30reps
315-20reps
365-15reps
405-12reps
505-8reps
585-6reps
625-4reps
700-2reps
700-2reps

Those are the 10 sets i listed above for squats.

you squat 700 at the end of your workout? **** you really do have some big ol legs. how much do you think you can get 1 rep

[bigol'legs]

I believe the last time i maxed out I got up 725. And that was at 210 lbs. I didnt max out when doing those reps at 261 lbs. When I work legs... i work for endurance, thats how my legs grow.

When you pyramid weight ironreload04 .. the weight should go UP with the reps dropping. I think you need to incorperate more supersets and drop sets in order to achive this.

[znak]

their is no way in hell that i could ever perform the same set twice in a row like you do with 700. Obviously you may be able to do somthing like 715-725 for one set of 2 instead of doing 700 for 2 for 2 sets. when i squat this is what i do
350 for 12
330 for 8
310 for 8
350 is my all out balls to the wall screaming at the top of my lung and blowing it out max set. by the time i am getting under 330, my legs are very wobbely. and if can rack the bar, that means i AINT done. this is how i train. i can easily (not so easily) do 6 sets they way you pyramid up with our weight selection in proportion.

My six squat set are more in your weight group. (I work in kgs, so the numbers are funny in pounds.)

20 x 220
12 x 264
10 x 286
10 x 308
10 x 352
10 x 352

This is the first of five exercises on leg day. Try it. I looks like we are in about the same strength category, but during my work out I lift over twice the weight you do (20, 545 lbs vs. 9,320 lbs.)

I rest the amount of time it takes my partner to do the next set, plus the time it takes to put the weight on. I get thirty sets in an hours, so believe me my intensity is up there.

Work is a function of weight moved over time. Believe me you will also be very wobbly on the last three-four on both of your last sets at 352 amd have also done TWICE the work.

[IronReload04]

I believe the last time i maxed out I got up 725. And that was at 210 lbs. I didnt max out when doing those reps at 261 lbs. When I work legs... i work for endurance, thats how my legs grow.

When you pyramid weight ironreload04 .. the weight should go UP with the reps dropping. I think you need to incorperate more supersets and drop sets in order to achive this.

good advice but why change a good thing, every week or 2, i can increase the weight and still get the 12 8 8 range.

Znack, we both like training different ways. the fact that i get stronger every week or 2 proves that you can get mad progression and not do as much work. on the other hand, if you are progressing, then that proves that legs can take a beating and still progress.

one way is not better than the other. the best way is to use both.
maybe i will consider doing the high volume every other week and my downward lower volume pyramid every other week

[markas214]

I just started doing hack squats as my main leg builder. I can rep 425 for 20 with wraps, no belt, and my quads are barely 26". I just have great leverage and tie-ins for leg power. I just can't find the right mix for size. We'll see after a month or two. My point is you need to find what works for you. Just because it works for swole or big 'ol it may not work for you.

[znak]

I just started doing hack squats as my main leg builder. I can rep 425 for 20 with wraps, no belt, and my quads are barely 26". I just have great leverage and tie-ins for leg power. I just can't find the right mix for size. We'll see after a month or two. My point is you need to find what works for you. Just because it works for swole or big 'ol it may not work for you.

How deep are you going? Full range of motion builds mass. When I do hacks, I put a lifting box under my butt and squat down to it. The box makes me go about 10-20 degrees below parallel. I do the same with squats, but use a bench with the legs screwed all the way in.

If your legs are only 26", you are probably not squatting deep enough when you have 425 on the machine.

While I agree that everyone has to find what works for them-- using the heaviest weight that you can do with a full range of motion is a constant in BB.

Nice thing about hack is that you can work to failure safely, bad thing is that you do not use all of the supporting muscle groups that you use when squatting.