Why can I leg press nearly 1000lb but can't squat over 200?

[Ryanast]

Is it strictly form? Or does squatting really require that much more core strength? I'm using a free weight machine to legpress at an upward angle btw.

[HuevosRancheros]

1000lbs really? Maybe it's the difference in the range of motion.

[Ryanast]

That was my thought. My lower bodies always been way disproportionate compared to my upper body, but this seems unreal. If it's a form problem at all I wanna fix it so I can squat what I should be able to.

[fishpat86]

Do you know what angle the sled is?

[JJinSS]

Is it strictly form? Or does squatting really require that much more core strength? I'm using a free weight machine to legpress at an upward angle btw.

Leg press isnt **** compared to the Full Squat, Thats why.

I can ATG squat 260 right now in SS. I can probably leg press 1,000 once. i think i've done like 8 plates on each side for the leg press before a few reps when me and my friends were dicking around with **** and just maxing out on stuff. but i guess we got scared to go to 1000 cuz maybe one of us would die lawl.

I mean i don't do any Core work, cuz i think the OHP, DL, SQUAT do all my ab work for me. And i do pull ups which require abs too. SO i guess it requires a good amount but its not like i have NFL running back abs. And its about balance and stuff and form.

But dude 225 ATG squats 3x5 is better than doing 1,000lbx3x5 leg presses.

and the leg press causes more injuries. Unless u squat like a tard. On the leg press people do it in such way that it causes the weight to come crashing down on their knees when they are fully extended. And u conform to the Machine, unlike the squat u can make small adjustments to fit how your body is.

i hate machines... free weights all the way. I don think u even need machines till it comes to the Calf Press machine / Seat/lying hamstring curls.

[Ryanast]

Do you know what angle the sled is?

its this thing



and i'm able to start with my knees basically in my face so i really don't think i'm cheapening the exercise in any way.

[JJinSS]

1000lbs really? Maybe it's the difference in the range of motion.

So... The dude that played wolverine Hugh jackman? does 1000 lb leg presses.

I'll be more amazed if i saw a 500 lb ATG squat for reps. Than a 1,500 leg press for reps.

edit* actually make that a 2,000 lb leg press

[Ryanast]

Leg press isnt **** compared to the Full Squat, Thats why.

I can ATG squat 260 right now in SS. I can probably leg press 1,000 once. i think i've done like 8 plates on each side for the leg press before a few reps when me and my friends were dicking around with **** and just maxing out on stuff. but i guess we got scared to go to 1000 cuz maybe one of us would die lawl.

I mean i don't do any Core work, cuz i think the OHP, DL, SQUAT do all my ab work for me. And i do pull ups which require abs too. SO i guess it requires a good amount but its not like i have NFL running back abs. And its about balance and stuff and form.

But dude 225 ATG squats 3x5 is better than doing 1,000lbx3x5 leg presses.

and the leg press causes more injuries. Unless u squat like a tard. On the leg press people do it in such way that it causes the weight to come crashing down on their knees when they are fully extended. And u conform to the Machine, unlike the squat u can make small adjustments to fit how your body is.

i hate machines... free weights all the way. I don think u even need machines till it comes to the Calf Press machine / Seat/lying hamstring curls.

Thanks for the input. Clears that up for me.

[fishpat86]

its this thing

[img]http://www.true-natural-bodybuilding.com/dream-gym/hammer-strength-leg-press.jpg[/img

and i'm able to start with my knees basically in my face so i really don't think i'm cheapening the exercise in any way.

It makes all the difference, think of it this way.

What's harder, pushing a car up 10 degree slope or pushing a car up a 30 degree slope?

[Ryanast]

It makes all the difference, think of it this way.

What's harder, pushing a car up 10 degree slope or pushing a car up a 30 degree slope?

didn't even think of the angle making a difference drrrrr /palm thanks lol

[fishpat86]

didn't even think of the angle making a difference drrrrr /palm thanks lol

I would do the maths for you but I can't be bothered right now.

[poloralphloren]

Pressing up 1000 lbs is impressive, especially if you're doing full ROM, but yeah, leg presses leave out a lot of the muscles that are involved in squats... Presses are more about quads, while squats emphasize glutes and core much more.

Compare:

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...5LegPress.html

and

http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...s/BBSquat.html

[JJinSS]

It makes all the difference, think of it this way.

What's harder, pushing a car up 10 degree slope or pushing a car up a 30 degree slope?

HAHA durrrrr

i don't think the OP questioned why it makes a different??

Most FRee weight leg presses look like that. the Leg presses that are at a lesser angle are mostly machine ones anyways and max out at like 490 lbs.

1,000 is still impressive but i think i can doit once. HAHa i wanna try it now. And im going to video tape it. Either its going on FAIL BLOG and i go to the hospitol or people on BB.com still say my form sucked.

[changemyoil66]

Angles has nothing to do with it. Legpress is always > than squats. Different exercise so you cant compare the two. It's like if you train legs and chest regularlly, you should be able to squat more than you bench (legs are a bigger muscle than pecs).

[CookAndrewB]

Well, there are a number of factors.

The first, that everybody has mentioned, is the mechanical advantage of the leg press you are using. While there is 1000lbs loaded on the machine, the force to move it is much less. There is a reason we use ramps to help us move heavy stuff

Now, the second issue is that a leg press completely removes the limiting factor in a squat, and that is lower back strength. Your legs are probably much stronger than your lower back will allow you to express, and you can see that on the leg press. Even with the mechanical advantage factored in, I'll bet your legs are moving twice as much weight on the leg press in comparison to your squat. If you want to get your squat up, strengthening your lower back is in order.

[400Lb Gorilla]

So... The dude that played wolverine Hugh jackman? does 1000 lb leg presses.

I'll be more amazed if i saw a 500 lb ATG squat for reps. Than a 1,500 leg press for reps.

edit* actually make that a 2,000 lb leg press

well you are hardcore!!!

[oldballs]

i'm able to start with my knees basically in my face so i really don't think i'm cheapening the exercise in any way.

video please. Im not a hater but I would like to see a 21 year old who doesnt know why its easier to do leg press bang off 1000 lbs with his knees in his face.

[coals]

Try using a full rage of motion on the press lol.


And yes, core strength is a HUGE component of having a good squat at decent depth. Don't discount flexibility either.

280 5x5 real ATG squats (hams/glutes to calves).....

220 lbs to go! (lol)

[mmafighter1294]

Angles has nothing to do with it. Legpress is always > than squats. Different exercise so you cant compare the two. It's like if you train legs and chest regularlly, you should be able to squat more than you bench (legs are a bigger muscle than pecs).

no, angles does have something to do with it

[Ryanast]

video please. Im not a hater but I would like to see a 21 year old who doesnt know why its easier to do leg press bang off 1000 lbs with his knees in his face.

Maybe, if I can take it without my face in the video. I don't like putting myself out in public like that.

[fishpat86]

Angles has nothing to do with it. Legpress is always > than squats. Different exercise so you cant compare the two. It's like if you train legs and chest regularlly, you should be able to squat more than you bench (legs are a bigger muscle than pecs).

Horizontal force on two different angle leg presses:

1000lbs = 453.6kgs

453.6kgs x 9.81 = 4449.816N

45 degree leg press

sin45 x 4449.816 = 3146.49N = 321.07kgs = 707.86lbs

30 degree leg press

sin30 x 4449.816 = 2224.90N = 227.03kgs = 500.5lbs

[changemyoil66]

sorry meant no matter the angle 45,30,20,50, etc you will be able to leg press more than squat.

[oldballs]

Maybe, if I can take it without my face in the video. I don't like putting myself out in public like that.

just put your hand over your mouth like in your profile pic

[KelvinSwole]

Because you're bulky and have leverage on the leg press that the squat doesn't provide.

Biomechanics ftw

[MrMisanthrope]

Is it strictly form? Or does squatting really require that much more core strength? I'm using a free weight machine to legpress at an upward angle btw.

Because the leg press machine takes almost all of the weight off. That and likely some kind of form. Maybe it's your lower back or something, I'd have to see your attempts.

[GuyJin]

While the mathematical differences are interesting to look at, you have to really work at the squat to be good at it. As CookAndrewAB said, the machine does all the balancing for you; with the squat, you have to do all the balancing, get your form straight, and push yourself to squat more (as deep as you can go without rounding your lower back) over time. It's so much harder to squat a s--tload of weight than to leg press a s--load of weight.

Since you're tall, you may think you have a mechanical disadvantage but that's simiply a matter of flexibility in your hamstrings and calves and hips and you have to work at it, too. I would also, again to parrot CookAB, work your lower back hard. Doing heavy deadlifts, again, progressively upping the resistance, will enable you to squat with heavier poundages. These things take time but they're well worth it.

[KhoraskGTR]

Well, there are a number of factors.

The first, that everybody has mentioned, is the mechanical advantage of the leg press you are using. While there is 1000lbs loaded on the machine, the force to move it is much less. There is a reason we use ramps to help us move heavy stuff

Now, the second issue is that a leg press completely removes the limiting factor in a squat, and that is lower back strength. Your legs are probably much stronger than your lower back will allow you to express, and you can see that on the leg press. Even with the mechanical advantage factored in, I'll bet your legs are moving twice as much weight on the leg press in comparison to your squat. If you want to get your squat up, strengthening your lower back is in order.

^^this
good answer

unlike all the 'cuz leg press aint shhit' and related posts.. gyod

[Mvick07]

work on your squat.

disregard legpress

[GeneralSerpant]

Try bridging the gap with Smithe machine?!

so many posts I can't read all.

Leg press is also simulating parallel squats, and as I actually did find in this thread, 45 degrees (or is it 46? Do you feel lucky? LOL). Even more parallel than squats act.

[unity]

HAHA durrrrr

i don't think the OP questioned why it makes a different??

Most FRee weight leg presses look like that. the Leg presses that are at a lesser angle are mostly machine ones anyways and max out at like 490 lbs.

1,000 is still impressive but i think i can doit once. HAHa i wanna try it now. And im going to video tape it. Either its going on FAIL BLOG and i go to the hospitol or people on BB.com still say my form sucked.

oh please do. i would love to see you be crushed by 1,000lbs on the leg press machine. srs.