Leg Press changes and related pain

[Times Roman]

Maybe this should be in the rehab section or the 40+ section, not sure

But I've been varying my leg routines and came up with something on the leg press. Usually, most plant their feet widely and proceed that way. But when I do, my crappy knees complain and become painful.

What I've done to over come this, is to plant my feet narrowly. I allow the sled to come all the way back until my thighs are up against my abdomen, so fairly decent range of motion.

This allows me to press more weight without the knee pain. So the intensity has been going up, along with the total weight.

new issues

because of the fairly rapid increase in weight, I'm always afraid I might crap my pants. sounds funny, but it is a concern.
also, I'm a little concerned about a hernia. (had one repaired Christmas 2013)
and also, it hurts my back more.

the back will get fixed with an operation on dec 8th. so I just deal with the pain.

but with this change, it feels I'm a lot stronger, and I'm really not sure how much I can press. when I pyramid, I'm up to 7 plates per side at 8 reps, with the ROM I described above, but it's not my max weight or reps. I'm still real tentative to have it "petal to the metal".

And the other strange thought?

why am I thinking I might have an embolism when I'm bearing down? Feels like my friggin head is going to pop.

[zempey]

I have been using a narrow placement as well lately, I find it activates the outer quad muscle more. I have a left knee that is acting up as well so I am careful not to go too crazy. I squat with a bit wider than shoulder width stance and figured a narrow stance would help hit the quad a different way. I limit myself to 10 plates a side for 10-12 reps now so I don't chance messing up my knee or back. My max back in the day was 16, but I will never go back there again. Luckily I don't worry about crapping myself yet, give it a few more years, lol. My eyes used to get sore back in the day and I would get a headache at times when going really heavy, but not so much now.

[Khazima]

Leg pressing in and of itself is a dangerous exercise for your back, if you think about the positioning you're in you're in a fully bent over squat position, without the stabiliser muscles protecting your spine. For some this can be really dangerous.

Wear a belt if you're worried about a hernia? As for crapping your pants just make sure you go before leg press lol.

[Times Roman]

Leg pressing in and of itself is a dangerous exercise for your back, if you think about the positioning you're in you're in a fully bent over squat position, without the stabiliser muscles protecting your spine. For some this can be really dangerous.

Wear a belt if you're worried about a hernia? As for crapping your pants just make sure you go before leg press lol.

I say it in jest, but in the back of my mind, it's still a concern..............

[PistolPete33]

I have a fake hip and I have to do the same thing with keeping my feet about shoulders width apart. Seems not to bother the hip as much but like you I'm afraid of getting a hernia. I actually got one 4 or 5 years ago doing leg presses and going crazy heavy. I had my knees to my chest and felt a weird pop around my belly button. Sure enough, I got an umbillical hernia from it. I had it repaired and now I ALWAYS wear a lifting belt pretty tight when doing leg presses. All set on repeating that process again.