Substituting Leg Press for Squats? Bad Idea?

[smoothhaze]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

[GreenWave1]

You claim time is an issue, but it will probably take less time to do squats then do the multiple exercises required to replace them.

Leg press < squats.

That said, if you don't like them, try something else and see if you get the results that you desire.

Edit: In b4 feminine hygiene product picture.

[im2manly]

No.

[medjen]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

Is the leg press enough for what?

For working all the same muscles as squatting?
No.

For feeling like you "did something" and getting you out of the category of people who only work out their upper bodies?
Almost.

What are you trying to accomplish? Whether leg press is "enough" will depend on what you're trying to do.

[mmorton]

if you could only do one leg workout, the best for overall development is the squat. all the others are just supplemental. it really wouldnt take you anymore than 15-20 minutes to do 3-4 sets.

[W1LL]

when squatting, the bar has (simplistically speaking) 8 directions it could freely go at anytime however with good form your body is only allowing it to take 2. up and down. why? because just about every muscle in your body is keeping your back vertical stabilizing the body in place keeping you and the bar from going in any of those other directions.

when leg pressing, you sit on your ass/back more than half those muscles used for stabilizing take a coffee break and you pump away at the legs.


you tell me which exercise you should be doing.

[ironwill2008]

You don't state any training goals, so I can only provide a generalized answer.

If you somehow feel you need to limit your leg training to one exercise, then Squat. Nothing else will really cover as many bases at once as Barbell Squats will, so they would far and away be the most efficient use of your limited gym time.


TBH, I can't imagine Rugby players not Squatting regularly.

[djansen]

for overall quad mass you may benefit more from leg press depending on your body structure.
but, for overall lower body and core strength as well sports performance the squat cant be overlooked.

[Chesticles2]

I hate when people say substitute...that is impossible in bodybuilding.

Anyways, leg press can produce great results. Keep switching up footing (wide/close stance, heels up higher/lower, deeper or shallower ROM)

Also death drops are wicked hard, but might need a spot to help you rip plate after plate off. As well as different training methods such as acceleration training, so play with contraction intervals, 10 seconds down, 2 seconds up etc.

Squats are great for overall leg development, but then again people who squat then give advice about squatting arnt always the sharpest knife in the drawer, so take every bit of advice on here with a grain of salt and goodluck with rugby...best sport on the planet.

[artvan14]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

You don't have to squat with the barbell. Squat with the hammer strength machine. It doesn't take that long to put on the weights. I much prefer squats over leg presses. However, switching it up is good idea as well. One week do squats... Next week do leg presses. Change up your exercise routine so your muscles don't get too use to them.

[Darb77]

You dont have the time to squat and do the set up but you have time to load up a leg press machine?

I dont know about you but loading up tons of 45s on a leg press machine vs loading up a barbell for squats takes a hell of alot longer for me.

[junglistfire]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

don't be a pussy, get in a power rack and squat.

i can do 6-8 sets of squats in 15 minutes.

squat is king

[BigD_SEVA]

make time, squats are king

[-Lucifer]

You dont have the time to squat and do the set up but you have time to load up a leg press machine?

I dont know about you but loading up tons of 45s on a leg press machine vs loading up a barbell for squats takes a hell of alot longer for me.

This.

[gymbabe90]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

there are certain exercises (squats, deadlifts E.t.c...) that you shouldn't cut if you want maximum results.

[keys_10]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them, and partly because I'm super busy, and dont wanna mess with setting up and putting away. I'm also dong rugby which now takes up most of my time. I still try and get in the gym at least twice a week and focus on deadlifts and bench, but what do you think? Should I try to incorporate squats, or is leg presses enough?

Mate I play Rugby and squats are very important, I squat isn't just about your quads it's an all body exercise and great for overall strength.

I can't recommend them enough, especially for strength and power related sports.

[anonymous]

If you can't take the few extra minutes it would take you to squat, do everyone a favor and stop wasting space at the gym.

[mindblown]

the squat is one of the best exercises for whole body strength and sports performance
why would you want to skip that?

[djartek]

If you can't take the few extra minutes it would take you to squat, do everyone a favor and stop wasting space at the gym.

the squat is one of the best exercises for whole body strength and sports performance
why would you want to skip that?

The Truth

Mate I play Rugby and squats are very important, I squat isn't just about your quads it's an all body exercise and great for overall strength.

I can't recommend them enough, especially for strength and power related sports.

The Truth Again

Plus machines are the enemy have you never watched any of the Terminator or Matrix Movies

It will take you longer to load a leg press then to perform a set of squats, if you are looking for less time in the gym and more bang for your buck then your ass needs to be squating as much as possible along with deads, rows, military press, bench, pull-ups and dips. Sticking to just those simple exercises will save you a lot of wasted time and focus on building power and strength that you will help carryover to strength on the field.

[DerReise]

If you can't take the few extra minutes it would take you to squat, do everyone a favor and stop wasting space at the gym.

Why are you being a douche?

So according to you, if someone wants to leg press and not squat they should just all around drop going to the gym? Idiot post is idiotic.

__________________________________________________ ______

OP, the leg press will not replace the squat. However, some people do respond better to a leg press in terms of leg development, particularly the quads. Although, you can also work your glutes and hamstrings if you go all the way down and play around with your stances widths.

If I was you, I'd stick to squats. Mainly because if you do squats you can consider it an all around leg workout with 1 exercise, you can't say that for the leg press.

[Salad_Dodger]

leg presses are **** compared to squats. it's like doing the chest machine to substitute for free weight benches. that's just my opinion though =P

try doing 20 rep squats or something.

[Blizzard589]

If you have an aversion to squats and feel like pussying out then, by all means, hop on that leg press machine. Leave the power racks open for the real men.

But if your focus is sports performance then you need to be squatting.

[metallideth]

it's not a big deal. personally i would squat over leg press but you can still get great legs by solely leg pressing. look at dorian yates and kevin levrone. both rarely squatted and mainly did leg press yet had great legs in their prime.

[anonymous]

Why are you being a douche?

So according to you, if someone wants to leg press and not squat they should just all around drop going to the gym? Idiot post is idiotic.

__________________________________________________ ______

OP, the leg press will not replace the squat. However, some people do respond better to a leg press in terms of leg development, particularly the quads. Although, you can also work your glutes and hamstrings if you go all the way down and play around with your stances widths.

If I was you, I'd stick to squats. Mainly because if you do squats you can consider it an all around leg workout with 1 exercise, you can't say that for the leg press.

No. The OP doesn't want to squat and has no legitimate reason except "he doesn't like it" and "it wastes time".

You spend maybe an extra couple minutes racking and unracking weights and squat isn't the only thing you got to do that for, so time is negligible. That leaves being lazy.

Guess what. I used to hate squats too and not do them. Guess where that got me? Nowhere. Frankly, if you're going to outright avoid one of the most compound exercises, why bother working out? I don't believe in half assing things. I still dislike doing squats sometimes. I do them anyways.

My post may have come off as a little harsh, but I'm sure everyone will agree with me on this point. If you're not doing squats and have no legitimate medical reason as to why you cannot, you are neglecting one of the most core exercises (and in my opinion an irreplaceable one) and if you can't give the dedication to push yourself through it, then you're wasting your time at the gym, along with everyone elses space. Anyone who goes to an overcrowded gym with a million bench/curl monkeys will know what I'm talking about.

[DerReise]

No. The OP doesn't want to squat and has no legitimate reason except "he doesn't like it" and "it wastes time".

You spend maybe an extra couple minutes racking and unracking weights and squat isn't the only thing you got to do that for, so time is negligible. That leaves being lazy.

Guess what. I used to hate squats too and not do them. Guess where that got me? Nowhere. Frankly, if you're going to outright avoid one of the most compound exercises, why bother working out? I don't believe in half assing things. I still dislike doing squats sometimes. I do them anyways.

My post may have come off as a little harsh, but I'm sure everyone will agree with me on this point. If you're not doing squats and have no legitimate medical reason as to why you cannot, you are neglecting one of the most core exercises (and in my opinion an irreplaceable one) and if you can't give the dedication to push yourself through it, then you're wasting your time at the gym, along with everyone elses space. Anyone who goes to an overcrowded gym with a million bench/curl monkeys will know what I'm talking about.

I agree with you brah. Just said it in the wrong way, it's not an absolutely necessary lift...it's simply very heavily advised.

[anonymous]

Ya I mean nothings "necessary" but if there's one exercise you SHOULDN'T skip that'd be it lol.

[derekk1]

Ya I mean nothings "necessary" but if there's one exercise you SHOULDN'T skip that'd be it lol.

the squatters just waste valuable space in the power/squat racks which could be much more adequately used for BB curls.



OP, do BB curls in the squat rack instead of leg press or squats. the bishes will love you and everyone on the rugby field will run the other way when they see you.

[anonymous]

the squatters just waste valuable space in the power/squat racks which could be much more adequately used for BB curls.



OP, do BB curls in the squat rack instead of leg press or squats. the bishes will love you and everyone on the rugby field will run the other way when they see you.

currrlllls to infinitttyyy!!!

[Robertsmiller]

the squat is one of the best exercises for whole body strength and sports performance
why would you want to skip that?

Edit. Looks like I'm way wrong. I guess he plays Rugby huh. Thats what I get for not reading the OP.

Well, I'll keep what I wrote up to shame myself. Sorry!

"Maybe he is a bodybuilder?

I squat myself, squats are great. But like it's already been said, people like Dorian Yates didn't squat much. Probably not going to be everyone, but who knows. Sports performance and strength =/= bodybuilding though."

[Yharbo]

So I've recently stopped doing squats. Partly because I hate them

sandy clam?