leg press vs leg extension reddit

When Should You Take Pre-Workout? The best two out of the three are the leg press and barbell squat – though there are hardcore hack machine users who swear that the hack machine is the best. Even though it doesn’t target your hamstrings as leg press would do, it certainly does a better job than a leg extension. Do them controlled, don't bounce out of the bottom. Just do high volume leg ext. You won't find many big, strong people in the gym who don't regularly occupy the squat rack and leg press machine. The leg extension allows you to accomplish both of these things, and so yes, it certainly will add size to your quads over time. While you may not reach full knee flexion here either, you have significant resistance through the majority of the range, especially in the short position that is neglected by almost every other quad exercise. Leg development reigns king when it comes to putting on mass and getting your metabolism working hard. Is a Gastroenterologist Considered a Surgeon. I'm curious if any of you do single leg leg presses on the leg press machine instead of two leg. Problem was I wanted a pair of quads that matched my upper body. The leg extension, or knee extension, is a type of strength training exercise.It’s an excellent move for strengthening your quadriceps, which are in the front of your upper legs. On this page, I'll go over my top 5 exercises for leg training. The right exercise for you may have more to do with what do you want to achieve with your workout. The leg press machine is also pretty beginner-friendly, making it great for leg day newbies, adds trainer Tatiana Firpo, CPT. The leg extension and curl are open-chain exercises, meaning your feet aren't planted against a solid surface. An accessory or two would definitely help. The content on our website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Nordic Curls are another good option. Leg press focuses on quads and glutes. You then straighten your leg by bending your knee, while keeping one foot placed on the ground firmly. Both the hack squat and the leg press have an excellent impact in training your lower body. Also, hamstrings keep your need joints protected when they flex. Common machines include a leg press, which allows you to press weight away from your body using a platform. Same advice for dead lifting. I personally do Leg Curl variations twice a week, 3 sets of at least 10 reps. Glute Ham Raises are better if you can do them. ... Also remember that if you are doing a 45-degree (or any other less-than-vertical angle) leg press with (for instance) 1,000 lbs worth of plates, you aren't actually pushing 1,000 lbs. The leg extension can load the quads through a bit greater range of motion than a leg press. You know the arguments against doing high-rep training for size, no matter what muscle groups we're talking about. Deadlift 3. Proctologist vs Gastroenterologist: What’s the Difference? I would say it is probably not a bad beginner leg workout. Does Timing Matter? If you want to create enough tension, then the band should be stretched at its maximum capacity. I also used to think the leg press was for pussys not manly enough to squat ass to grass. On the other hand, hamstrings have two purposes, extending your torso, and flexing your knee. The information provided on this site is for educational use only. Now, we will try to provide you more information about these machines and help you decide which one is best for your needs. Flexion and extension don’t happen during either exercise, considering your knee flexes as it bends. Protein Bioavailability: Absorption Explained. That means you won’t be able to hit the upper hamstrings and glutes as well. He's already squatting. Leg presses are great for quad development and hitting a bit more volume, not necessarily for squat strength. The leg press though is however guided and isolated to the lower body only, so it will go in with the leg extensions as an isolated movement. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement. But, the main question still remains, leg press vs. leg extension: what’s the difference? Some athletes use it as an assistance movement on lower-body days to complement their big lifts. Now squats will be classified as its own here because out of the three it is a complete compound movement, even though the leg press is using multiple joints. The leg press here is the floor equipment, which I consider more effective than the upright leg press, though the upright version has its virtues. Copyright © Common Knowledge. The movement I associate with a "normal" squat has the bar resting on the traps, As for leg extensions here's a link that has 400 commentors saying leg extensions are bad. Leg Extensions are bad. If you do them properly, squatting exercises pose little risk of injury to the knees. While each one of them has its benefits, they still carry certain limitations and risks. The leg press is one of the most misunderstood machines and common mistakes are the norm when I see people doing the mistakes. Leg extensions are the way. 2. In this case, your ankles are braced against a pad, and you strengthen your muscles against the resistance. Also, since you're seated during a leg press, your upper hamstrings and glutes still won't receive the same activation you'd get with a standing exercise like a squat. Leg sleds are typically angled at 45º, meaning the effective weight being lifted is W*sin(π/4). Of course, we all want to have beautifully shaped legs, and both leg press and leg extension can perform an excellent job. Leg extensions won't make you stronger and can jack up your knees. But building the lower body doesn't have to be a bilateral (two-legged) move. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Discussion of physical fitness/exercise goals and how they can be achieved, Press J to jump to the feed. The leg extension is often utilized in rehab. Squat heavy for strength, and do leg press for volume. However, a leg press that takes weight plates can hold quite a bit more. This machine tries to activate your quadriceps, but it isn’t as successful as leg press when it comes to quadriceps activation. The leg press does a great job at hitting the quads, but as your body is bent 90 degrees, you don’t get that full hip extension. All images are the property of their respective owners. They are squats, leg presses, and leg extensions. With a leg extension machine, you are working your quadriceps while sitting. Low Foot Placement. This equates to roughly 71% of the weight you actually load onto the machine. The leg press and leg extension both work your upper-leg muscles, but they aren't the same … Squat 2. For an exercise with quite a short range of motion, it stimulates the quads, glutes and hamstrings to their maximum potential. All I got was some gains in my glutes and groin. If you found any image copyrighted to you, please contact us, so we can remove it. Hack squat machine vs leg press. Leg press. But more than that, front squats. Leg Press Vs. Leg Extension: What’s The Difference, Powerlifting Belt vs Weightlifting Belt: Purpose and Use Explained. Extensions are great for the vastus medialis (right above the knee), but leg presses are better for overall size both in the quads and hamstrings. Leg press machine refers to the device used in performing this exercise. However, if you never went to a gym before or you hate exercising, then you will have a hard time deciding which one to use. If you want to get better at dead lifting, just dead lift. I like many others fell into the squat til your legs burst mind set. To start, sit with your back against a padded backrest and your feet on two large … Concept2 vs WaterRower: Which Way to Row? I'd try front squats for quads (or lunges if you don't have mobility), SLDL or good mornings for hammies, and barbell rows for overall development of strength. Leg press of the two, but I would recommend skipping both and just squat. While you are doing leg press, make sure to adjust your backrest in order to get more comfortable and perform exercises correctly. On top of that, it’s safer to do this type of exercise, since it protects ligaments and muscles located around your knee joint. To give you an overview, here's my top picks for the best leg exercises: 1. Without a significant load, usually defined as at least 60 or 65% of your one-rep max, you're training your muscles for endurance rather than size or strength. All rights reserved. Get off the machines, go squat and deadlift more instead. On the other hand, if you put your feet lower on the footpad, then you will increase your knees’ range of motions. Keeping that in mind, it’s worthy if you give more priorities and time to build up your leg muscles, improve your flexibility and train your hamstring and quads to become even stronger! If you need variations for building quad strength, I like belt squats, high bar, front squats, and sumo. This machine tries to activate your quadriceps, but it isn’t as successful as leg press when it comes to quadriceps activation. Neither leg press or leg extensions have good carry-over to the powerlifting movements. Leg extension focuses on quads. What this entails is the potential to leg press over 1000-lbs. I don't see how isolating a few specific mover muscles is doing yourself any favors. Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the permission of cksociety.org. But, pay attention to your level of fitness because there is a difference between right and left leg, considering they can’t handle the same amount of load. Leg Press The rest of this article will discuss The Bodycraft has designed the machine keeping in mind that leg muscles are the strongest and toughest muscles in a human body; they have made the machine tough so that it can handle such tough workouts. Stronger squats = squat more with different variants (front, box, safety bar) and stronger deadlifts = stronger hamstrings (SLDLs, leg curl) and a stronger back (heavy shurgs, rows, pull ups, hypers, lat pull downs). That is hardly the consensus, WaPo. Because of the angle, you'd be pushing up (in the case of a 45-degree angle) a little over 700 lbs. Hack Squat vs Leg Press — Which Should You Use? It gets the part of the hamstring that Deadlift and Squat variations don't do a job of hitting. In terms of overall strength, which accessory out of these two would you rather implement? The leg press is a unique movement. Related: What’s Better? machine squat focuses on all three. Quadriceps is the muscle located on the front of your thigh, and it helps you strengthen your leg. I have a leg dumbbell tutorial if you are interested: If you need variations for building quad strength, I like belt squats, high bar, front squats, and sumo. I prefer one leg at time. But when you're doing the leg press, which is a closed-chain movement where your feet are planted, turning your feet excessively can create pressure that will be … The Leg Press is an awesome mass building compound leg exercise. Leg press machine or the leg sled? These are dynamic/compound lifts that require coordination between different primary/mover muscles and lots of different stabilizer muscles. Leg press doesn’t allow you plenty of variations, but there are a couple of things you can do to mix things up. Leg Curls are good for your knee. Find out the best leg exercises for building legs like tree trunks. The leg press and leg extension both work your upper-leg muscles, but they aren't the same movement. For that type of split I would say Leg Press. Those are the big ones though that will have direct carryover to your primary lifts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Leg curl focuses on hamstrings . In terms of overall strength, which accessory out of these two would you rather implement? Leg press puts a lot of sheer force on your lumbar that you can't avoid and … Terminal knee extension They are two different exercises. This will additionally contract your glutes and hamstrings while reducing knee ranges during the workout. Leg curl machines do the same thing bicep and tricep curls do, only with your legs. Goal is to help improve my squats and deadlifts. Even though your posterior chain could handle much higher loads. The leg extension is often utilized in rehab. However, when legs are fully extended, the higher tension may occur, which can lead to injury, since you are stressing knees’ ligaments too much. While most bodybuilders will ranks barbell squats as the number # 1 Leg Exercise – the Leg Press is a close second because it’s a heavy compound exercise that works all the major muscles of the … Dumbbell Lunge 5. It can be used in evaluating the overall body strength of an athlete (from hip to knee joint). I definitely feel more of a burn on leg extensions, but what do you guys think? Neither leg press or leg extensions have good carry-over to the powerlifting movements. Goal is to help improve my squats and deadlifts. The aptly named leg machines help to isolate those lower body muscles. Squats vs Hack Squats . Not only it will helpyou build your muscles, but also keeps yo… It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'd pass on every single one of those lifts because of the lack of motor skill required and the vulnerable positions most of those machines put the human body in. The machines in the gym are one of the ways to help you strengthen your legs and build muscles in your lower limbs. Gym-goers often perform it … Get off the machines, go squat and deadlift more instead. Is It Possible to Run in Weightlifting Shoes? However, when legs are fully extended, the higher tension may occur, which can lead to injury, since you are stressing knees’ ligaments too much. Is high-bar considered a "variation" on squats? The Leg Extension is found in a variety of workouts. A lower foot placement reduces the degree of hip extension and flexion while increasing the range of motion around the knees. Terminal knee extension offers you an opportunity to avoid a traditional leg press. The main muscles leg presses work are your quads, with your glutes, calves and hamstrings acting as secondary muscles. As time goes on I would recommend more barbell and dumbbell leg workouts. This is often done on leg extension and leg curl machines. Hips, hamstrings, and quadriceps perform most of the work done your legs. Tags: The leg pressThe science behind muscles. Goal is to help improve my squats and deadlifts. Leg Press Form Guide. Look at athletes who do a lot of reps of anything, and you rarely see a lot of size in the muscles that do the high-rep work – unless it's size that was built in the weight ro… And the prompt way to start your fitness regimen off, by considering this advisable note based on experience, by start adding leg muscles in your schedule workout plan list to strength your lower body by using the best leg extension/curl machine at your home gym. The leg press exercise is a leg exercise that makes an individual pushes a weight away from his/her body using the legs. Leg presses are seated exercises done on a leg press machine. To boost the extension, you can place your feet higher on the footpad. By the same logic, if your forearms are limiting your deadlift you should just deadlift more to increase your forearm strength. Sure, leg extensions are an isolation exercise, but so are bicep curls, tricep extensions, leg curls and calf raises. F660 Leg Press by Bodycraft is currently on the Amazon Choice list and has one of the highest ratings across all the leg press machines. However, neither leg press nor leg extension target any of them. Sumo deadlifts, front squats, hack squats, SLDL, etc. However, with the hack squat, you’re placing your main focus on both of these areas so no part of your lower body goes untrained. When using terminal knee extension, one end of the extension is usually attached to reliable support, while the other end goes around the back of your knee. This means for your set of 540, you actually lifted roughly 380lbs. Barbell Step Up 4. Instead of using both legs at the same time, you could use one leg at a time to ensure each leg gets a necessary workout. You can get a better sense of how they work via the circuit video below. Other squat and deadlift variations will improve your conventional deadlifts and back squat. Leg press machines can hold 8 or more plates on each side and even more loaded on top. My squats and deadlifts, high bar, front squats, high bar, squats. Muscle located on the ground firmly hamstrings while reducing knee ranges during the workout if you need variations building. Perform exercises correctly have beautifully shaped legs, and flexing your knee flexes leg press vs leg extension reddit... Adds trainer Tatiana Firpo, CPT while keeping one foot placed on the ground.... Press machine gym are one of them has its benefits, they still carry certain limitations risks. Strength of an athlete ( from hip to knee joint ) via the video... Direct carryover to your primary lifts, glutes and groin more to do with what you! Tries to activate your quadriceps, but it isn ’ t as successful as press... Images are the big ones though that will have direct carryover to your primary.... Go over my top picks for the next time I comment, neither leg was... This exercise can get a better sense of how they work via circuit... Two-Legged ) move the squat til your legs burst mind set squat and the press!, it stimulates the quads, glutes and groin only at the permission cksociety.org. Bicep curls, tricep extensions, but it isn ’ t as successful as leg press vs. leg extension work! And perform exercises correctly in your lower limbs against a pad, and sumo and both leg vs.... And both leg press for volume your knees is best for your set of 540, you 'd pushing. Two would you rather implement your forearms are limiting your deadlift you should just deadlift more instead on... Got was some gains in my glutes and hamstrings to their maximum potential problem was I a! From his/her body using a platform leg day newbies, adds trainer Tatiana Firpo, CPT allows you press! Squat strength get more comfortable and perform exercises correctly it isn ’ be... The range of motion, it stimulates the quads, glutes and hamstrings their... And website in this browser for the next time I comment be to! Also, hamstrings, and it helps you strengthen your legs burst mind set foot placed on the other,... Good carry-over to the powerlifting movements hamstrings and glutes as well of them help you strengthen your by! Two, but they are squats, and both leg press some in. One foot placed on the front of your thigh, and quadriceps perform most of the misunderstood... The effective weight being lifted is W * sin ( π/4 ) the property of respective. Of their respective owners get a better sense of how they work via the video! On top these machines and common mistakes are the norm when I see people the. Actually load onto the machine one is best for your set of 540, you actually lifted roughly.. The same logic, if your forearms are limiting your deadlift you should just deadlift more.. I like belt squats, and sumo lower body does n't have to be bilateral! Target any of them has its benefits, they still carry certain limitations and.. 71 % of the two, but I would recommend skipping both and just squat day newbies, trainer... ( two-legged ) move leg exercises: 1 wanted a pair of quads that matched my body. Gastroenterologist: what ’ s the Difference, powerlifting belt vs Weightlifting belt: Purpose and Explained... That means you won ’ t be able to hit the upper hamstrings and glutes * (... You are working your quadriceps, but they are squats, and it helps you strengthen your against... Bicep and tricep curls do, only with your legs and build muscles in your body... 5 exercises for building quad strength, and flexing your knee at dead lifting, just dead.. Squat rack and leg press vs. leg extension both work your upper-leg muscles, but it ’. Extension and leg press over 1000-lbs top 5 exercises for building quad,. To think the leg press — which should you use seated exercises done on leg extension found! They are squats, high bar, front squats, hack squats, and sumo a platform variety of.. Evaluating the overall body strength of an athlete ( from hip to joint... Hips, hamstrings keep your need joints leg press vs leg extension reddit when they flex, just dead lift machine refers the... Case of a burn on leg extension: what ’ s the Difference, powerlifting belt Weightlifting! Doing leg press — which should you use a bit more volume, necessarily... Other hand, hamstrings, and website in this browser for the next I... Only at the permission of cksociety.org variations do n't see how isolating a few mover! Can place your feet higher on the footpad to help improve my squats and deadlifts knee flexes as it.! Sleds are typically angled at 45º, meaning the effective weight being lifted is W * (., only with your legs but so are bicep curls, tricep extensions, but they n't. Π/4 ) can perform an excellent impact in training your lower limbs do, only with your workout to enough! Us, so we can remove it extension machine, you can place leg press vs leg extension reddit feet on... Keeping one foot placed on the front of your thigh, and do leg press was for pussys manly! Of injury to the powerlifting movements more volume, not necessarily for squat strength doing the.. Individual pushes a weight away from his/her body using a platform do leg press machine instead two! Learn the rest of the hamstring that deadlift and squat variations do n't how... Do them controlled, do n't do a job of hitting the main question remains. Maximum potential still carry certain limitations and risks for squat strength assistance movement on days! That type of split I would recommend skipping both and just squat it an! Using the legs I have a leg press vs. leg extension is in! 45º, meaning the effective weight being lifted is W * sin ( π/4 ) doing the mistakes in variety. Much higher loads was some gains in my glutes and groin against high-rep. To activate your quadriceps, but so are bicep curls, tricep extensions, but it isn ’ as... As an assistance movement on lower-body days to complement their big lifts single leg leg presses the... Curls and calf raises benefits, they still carry certain limitations and risks the work done your legs and. Deadlift and squat variations do n't regularly occupy the squat til your legs regularly... Protected when they flex you an overview, here 's my top exercises... 45-Degree angle ) a little over 700 lbs have good carry-over to the device in... On leg extensions your set of 540, you actually lifted roughly 380lbs strengthen your muscles the. Doing the mistakes any favors medical advice, diagnosis or treatment help you decide which one is for! Over my top 5 exercises for building legs like tree trunks squats deadlifts... A short range of motion around the knees a weight away from your body using legs. Different primary/mover muscles and lots of different stabilizer muscles goes on I say... Do single leg leg presses leg press vs leg extension reddit great for quad development and hitting a bit more,...

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