Can't feel the quad burn in my squats

[Peelyo]

I've been working out on and off for a couple years, but now I'm following AllPro's routine, and have done for maybe 2 or 3 cycles now.

I've seen some good gains on my squats - which I've only really started concentrating on (in terms of heavy training) with the recent switch to allpro's, however, while progress is slowing down generally, my squats have remained pretty strong.

However, I just can't seem to feel the burn in my quad nearly as much as my hamstrings and butt. The next day my hammies feel really nice and worked, but my quads just don't.

I am fairly sure I have good form. I've watched a lot of videos, including rippetoe's - and like to curl my toes to ensure I'm not putting my weight through the toes. I go to hammy parallel - and keep my knees unflayed (as much as I can - sometimes the last effort squat can cause some cheat issues)

But I just can't get the quads, I am worried that it's my form and that perhaps there's something I could do to remedy this, or if it's just a case that my hamstrings are weaker than my quads? I've played a lot of soccer through my entire life, but currently I only play once or twice a weak playing indoor.

Any advise would be great

[videophile88]

I don't feel a burn in my quads either. Quads are huge muscles. Same applies for my chest. My chest is stronger than my triceps so I always feel the burn in my triceps when doing a bench press. Also the same reason I feel more of a burn in my forearm when doing curls.

Squats are more of an overall leg exercise. If you want to target your quads more do leg extensions with your leg workout. If you already are then just up the intensity.

[Bostongeorge617]

Allpro's routine is titled "A good beginner's routine' or somesuch. Since you have done 3 cycles of it, I'm guessing 12 weeks per cycle, so 9 months of training? I know that the only leg exercise in that program are squats. Perhaps it is time to either change to a different split that has more volume for legs, or simply introduce a new exercise into the existing one such as a few additional sets of front squats.

And negging above guy for fraud photo.

[TheKoiCarp]

I rarely feel any "burn" in my legs when squatting, just fatigued.

My core burns like hell though, and psycho bloodshot eyes.

The leg press defo gets the blood pumping in them though.

[videophile88]

Allpro's routine is titled "A good beginner's routine' or somesuch. Since you have done 3 cycles of it, I'm guessing 12 weeks per cycle, so 9 months of training? I know that the only leg exercise in that program are squats. Perhaps it is time to either change to a different split that has more volume for legs, or simply introduce a new exercise into the existing one such as a few additional sets of front squats.

And negging above guy for fraud photo.

It's obviously Dorian Yates. I didn't know it was supposed to be a picture of me.

[liftingson]

what else do you do for legs?

[jammyo40]

I've been working out on and off for a couple years, but now I'm following AllPro's routine, and have done for maybe 2 or 3 cycles now.

I've seen some good gains on my squats - which I've only really started concentrating on (in terms of heavy training) with the recent switch to allpro's, however, while progress is slowing down generally, my squats have remained pretty strong.

However, I just can't seem to feel the burn in my quad nearly as much as my hamstrings and butt. The next day my hammies feel really nice and worked, but my quads just don't.

I am fairly sure I have good form. I've watched a lot of videos, including rippetoe's - and like to curl my toes to ensure I'm not putting my weight through the toes. I go to hammy parallel - and keep my knees unflayed (as much as I can - sometimes the last effort squat can cause some cheat issues)

But I just can't get the quads, I am worried that it's my form and that perhaps there's something I could do to remedy this, or if it's just a case that my hamstrings are weaker than my quads? I've played a lot of soccer through my entire life, but currently I only play once or twice a weak playing indoor.

Any advise would be great

If you're worried about your form, post a vid. Could also be a muscle imbalance issue.

[sunngodd]

Many people don't. Try other exercises, front squats, hack squat, leg press (gasp!), leg extension (double gasp!!) for more direct quad work.

[kanis999]

I find that the more I practice form, the more emphasis on glutes and hamstrings I get when squatting. I have posterior chain relative weakness, so it makes sense. On any given compound movement, your weakest part of the chain is going to feel it most. If squats are working your glutes and hamstrings a lot, I'd take that as a sign that they need to catch up to your quads. Balance is crucial, so I'd say just let the glutes and hammies be the major focus for now instead of quads.

One thing you can try is bring the legs slightly closer together (I'm talking like 2 inches here), and focus on "spreading the floor apart with your legs" as you come up. This visualization helps activate the lateral head of the quads. Be careful though, you still want your knees to track over your toes.

[lee__d]

as mentioned, back squats are really more of an overall lower body exercise. front squats will help target quads a little more. hack sq machine is cool.

also, low bar position will emphasize glutes/hammies more, high bar position will emphasize quads more.

[2nd_chance]

My guess is that you are doing low bar with a wide stance... if so, don't expect to get much quad burn. Try high bar and narrowing in your stance as close as you can while keeping balance. Also try front squats. Plus, quit worrying about how much weight you are squatting (you can do more with low bar/ wide stance) and just focus on form and depth.

[mahousesn]

Maybe lower the weight and increase reps/speed that you do the exercise. After a set of widowmakers, I feel it quite well.