If I dont have the facilities to do squats (and I also find them uncomfortable on my knees when Ive tried them in the past), what is the next best leg exercise I could do for mass and strength?
I have access to:
A leg press machine
A leg raise machine
A hamstring curl machine
and dumbbells (thinking along the lines of lunges/some sort of dumbbell squat)
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11-08-2010, 01:34 PM #1
Best leg exercise for mass other than squats?
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11-08-2010, 01:38 PM #2http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoawuYgSkehcUdvZQ6yNOcA/videos?flow=grid&view=0
Check out my youtube channel! Feel free to ask questions, and I'll make video responses as in depth and to my knowledge as I can. I don't spread bro science, my information will be similiar to Ian Mccarthy/Layne/Ogus/Eric helms in the sense that I will base my accusations of of science/studies. Also some personal experience, but I won't impose that onto you. But if you ask, I'll answer :)
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11-08-2010, 01:42 PM #3
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11-08-2010, 01:44 PM #4
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11-08-2010, 01:49 PM #5http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoawuYgSkehcUdvZQ6yNOcA/videos?flow=grid&view=0
Check out my youtube channel! Feel free to ask questions, and I'll make video responses as in depth and to my knowledge as I can. I don't spread bro science, my information will be similiar to Ian Mccarthy/Layne/Ogus/Eric helms in the sense that I will base my accusations of of science/studies. Also some personal experience, but I won't impose that onto you. But if you ask, I'll answer :)
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11-08-2010, 01:59 PM #6
Utter sh*te. Please explain that.
Exercise selections were good though.
OP you got a bench? I use mine as a sort of make shift squat rack and do front squats. I find them easier on the knees than back squats (which bothered my previously injured knee, no bother with front squats though). I don't actually squat 'in' the bench though, I squat behind it and with front squats I find you don't get trapped under the bar if you fail a rep.
Also, give power cleans a go, not a 'true' leg exercise like the others mentioned here. More of a total body exercise but it will work legs, posterior chain and back very well.
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11-08-2010, 02:00 PM #7
- Join Date: Sep 2010
- Location: Illinois, United States
- Age: 38
- Posts: 1,652
- Rep Power: 388
Not sure why you think this. Strictly speaking, no resistance training, in and of itself, will give you mass. Has to be resistance plus diet. If you're creating microtears, as long as you're eating enough, you're going to gain mass. You might not gain as much or get the same overall balance and definition with machines, but to think that you can't gain mass with them is dumb.
OP: leg press and db squats are your best bet. I would probably supplement with lunges."What is happiness? The feeling that power is increasing--that resistance is being overcome."
- Nietzsche
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11-08-2010, 02:02 PM #8
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11-08-2010, 02:04 PM #9
OP this has been my leg workout the past 2 months, amazing size and strength gains.
Heavy squats x6
leg press x4
Leg ext x4
stiff deadsx4
Hammstring curlsx3-4
(i do calves and abs a different day cause im close to puking and passing out just doing this.)
But yeah like others have said, diet is just as important. Not enough bricks? House wont get built that big.http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoawuYgSkehcUdvZQ6yNOcA/videos?flow=grid&view=0
Check out my youtube channel! Feel free to ask questions, and I'll make video responses as in depth and to my knowledge as I can. I don't spread bro science, my information will be similiar to Ian Mccarthy/Layne/Ogus/Eric helms in the sense that I will base my accusations of of science/studies. Also some personal experience, but I won't impose that onto you. But if you ask, I'll answer :)
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11-08-2010, 02:07 PM #10
I don't do a machine exercises since I don't own any machines at my house so hit my hamstrings with RDLs and power cleans if you count them.
So you are saying that hamstring curl does nothing then? If you can progress in any exercise how can that not increase you muscle mass/strength?
Don't be one of those guys that thinks only the big hitters like bench/squat/dead give you mass and nothing else. Machines will give you mass if you can progress in them.
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11-08-2010, 02:12 PM #11
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11-08-2010, 02:28 PM #12
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11-08-2010, 02:48 PM #13
the OP is looking for the best leg exercises, which would put the machines behind any free weight exercise. I made a wrong statement when I said "machines wont give you mass" ... it just makes more sense if you're looking to get BIGGER, that you would skip the machines and get better and faster results with the free weight variation of the exercise.
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11-08-2010, 02:52 PM #14
if you have a good step you can do step ups which will hit your quads and hammies hard and in a different way then the other exercises mentioned. I like to use a bar and stack the blocks high enough so your leg forms a right angle before stepping up. You can also hold dumbells in each hand. Once you get used to it you can increase the weight quite a bit.
I did a heavy set of 225*15 the other day and had no choice but to lay on the floor for about 2 minutes afterward...it was awesome
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11-08-2010, 03:06 PM #15
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11-08-2010, 03:42 PM #16
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01-04-2011, 09:48 AM #17
- Join Date: Jan 2008
- Location: Muscatine, Iowa, United States
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the best exercise overall is the squat if it hurts then your not doing it right. Just reduce the weight and get your form right then add on weight eventually also do MACHINES idk y that dude said dont use machines...u want to use machines but dont make them your main workout....do leg extensions and leg curls but when you do them do one leg at a time so your evenly balanced...also leg press is a good one....but make sure that squats is ur main exercise cuz if u have any other exercise as ur main then ur not working out ur whole leg...also when ur doing leg press do calf raises so you can get those beasty calfs!
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01-04-2011, 09:57 AM #18
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01-04-2011, 09:58 AM #19
- Join Date: Feb 2010
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saying machines won't give you mass is like saying a barbell won't give you mass...
just sayin'new log: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?p=690964161#post690964161
"When it comes to training (and life in general for that matter), many people erroneously think that all you have to do to succeed is work hard. Unfortunately, this isn't true. You have to work intelligently." -Dr. Clay Hyght
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01-04-2011, 10:08 AM #20
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01-04-2011, 10:09 AM #21
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01-04-2011, 10:30 AM #22
- Join Date: Jan 2006
- Location: Lakeland, Florida, United States
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Idiotic.
Idiotic. Especially saying that deadlift is a great exercise for the legs.
Please, if you are going to offer advice, at least maek it good. Why would you advise a low back dominant lift to effectively work the hamstrings? If you are going to suggest a deadlift variation for the legs, at least pick one that has the hams and glutes being the prime movers (i.e. Romanian deadlift or sumo deadlift)
Free weight =/= better
Free weight = different
What makes sense, is using the best available exercise to effectively target and overload a particular muscle.
Excellent post.-
Alchemist of Alcohol
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Journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=126418493
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01-04-2011, 10:54 AM #23
- Join Date: Jul 2006
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
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Chazzy is on the ball once again. If I could rep you more I would.
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=180003183&p=1635918623#post1635918623
New Shanghai Log!
"225, 315, 405 whatever. Yeah these benchmark digits come to mean a lot to us, the few warriors in this arena. They are, however, just numbers. I'm guilty of that sh*t too, waiting for somebody to powder my nuts cuz I did 20 reps of whatever the **** on the bench. Big f*king deal. It is all relative." G Diesel
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01-04-2011, 10:59 AM #24
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01-04-2011, 11:01 AM #25
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01-04-2011, 11:03 AM #26
A few weeks back Chazzy suggested closer/low stance leg press for building that outer part of the quad. Leg press has always been a permanent staple for me but I always did medium to wide stance. Started doing these closer stance presses and have really improved that outer quad and overall mass. Jeans are a bit snug now though....
Trying....is planning to fail.
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01-04-2011, 11:09 AM #27
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01-04-2011, 11:09 AM #28
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01-04-2011, 11:11 AM #29
OP: I would suggest a good exercises for you would be:
- Leg Press
- Romanian Deadlifts
- Hack Squats (machine is fine)
- Leg Curls
- Calf Press
Lunges are also extremely effective and should not be overlooked, but you don't need 50 exercises per session, either. Pick a few that compliment each other and work together and you'll be good to go. When you have access to the right equipment, you should definitely give squats another try, though.☠ By reading this post, you have agreed to my negative reputation terms of service.
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01-04-2011, 11:30 AM #30
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