Leg Press angle

[Schwarzenegger]

Wondering about the seat back angle for leg press. I noticed the greater the angle (eg 45 degrees) there is less strain on my hip flexors but the intra abdominal pressure increases. Makes me paranoid about a hernia when I go heavier.

When I decrease the seat angle (eg 30 degrees) more strain on my hip flexors but less abdominal pressure.

Any suggestions/experiences would be appreciated

[RewardingLabor]

Experience: The greater the angle between the seat my feet, the less pressure I feel on my flutes, and consequently more pressure on quads. I can do more weight in that position as well. When I decrease the angle between the seat and my feet I feel it more in my abs and posterior chain and I can do less weight.

Suggestion: squat and deadlift instead. We can all leg press a freight train but is it really useful?

[600@50]

We can all leg press a freight train but is it really useful?

The leg press can be a very good lower body movement if done correctly. You're right we can all go super heavy if you do partial leg presses. You see people all the time load up the plates only to move the mass maybe 6 inches. Do it right and it can really be an ego buster. If you really want a wake up call do one legged leg presses.
And lean the seat back as much as you can and it'll be a more natural movement.

[Buster Brown]

The leg press can be a very good lower body movement if done correctly. You're right we can all go super heavy if you do partial leg presses. You see people all the time load up the plates only to move the mass maybe 6 inches. Do it right and it can really be an ego buster. If you really want a wake up call do one legged leg presses. And lean the seat back as much as you can and it'll be a more natural movement.

I agree, putting the seat angle back will drastically change what you can put up. One legged presses are a great way to really get the full rom that the exercise can offer.