Most dangerous piece of equipment in the gym - LegPress!

[MkADcision]

To be clear I am referring to the 45 degree leg press machine. I am convinced this contraption must have been invented by a coalition of chiropractor's and physical therapists!
Does anybody actually use this machine (with a significant amount of weight loaded) and actually never experience a back injury???
Thanks to this machine my lower back is fuarked for probably 3-5 days. Admittedly it is my fault for probably bringing my upper legs down to slightly more than a 90 degree angle and most likely rounded my lower back but jeez we're talking a margin of error of a few degrees here!
The cost-benefit ratio of this machine is ridiculous.
The leg press should be systematically eliminated from gyms everywhere!

/rant

[Dietze2]

I would never come down past 90 degrees.. then you are starting to rotate your hips and put unnecessary strain on your lower back and hips

[rasse226]

It was your own fault that you didnt use proper form.

[danio94ns]

I would never come down past 90 degrees.. then you are starting to rotate your hips and put unnecessary strain on your lower back and hips

what? and what about squats? you also come down past 90? its dangerous to not do a full squat you can destroy your joints

[mahousesn]

It was your own fault that you didnt use proper form.

This.

[jprockjr]

sounds like you were tryin to max out on leg press

drop the ego, drop the weight, increase the reps

[chazzy1864]

It was your own fault that you didnt use proper form.

This.

Don't blame the machine because you're an idiot and f*cked up.

If you're spent any amount of time in a gym, you'd know that tons of people put LOADS of weight on there (it is their ego lift) and do not experience injury.


I've used all variations of leg presses and had far more ROM than what you are talking about and have yet to have any form of injury induced by that machine. Either I'm the man of steel, or I'm just not an idiot. Considering my inclination to injure myself by other means, leaves me to believe I'm more of the latter, rather than the former.

[MkADcision]

It was your own fault that you didnt use proper form.

I already admitted this. My point was to say that the design of the machine places the lower back in a very vulnerable position. Even a slight error in execution results in disaster.

[kelly.brandt]

I already admitted this. My point was to say that the design of the machine places the lower back in a very vulnerable position. Even a slight error in execution results in disaster.

I agree. The design of these machines do put an astronomical amount of stress on the SI joints as well as the lower back. I have injured myself on this exercise as well. I now do only regular squats or hack squats.

There is nothing idiotic about injuring yourself on this machine. True bodybuilders get injured more than they like to admit.

[SquatTilYouDrop]

I already admitted this. My point was to say that the design of the machine places the lower back in a very vulnerable position. Even a slight error in execution results in disaster.

I think the problem is the design of your brain.

Seems like other people use it successfully, why might it be that you can't?

Hmmmm?

[MkADcision]

This.

Don't blame the machine because you're an idiot and f*cked up.

If you're spent any amount of time in a gym, you'd know that tons of people put LOADS of weight on there (it is their ego lift) and do not experience injury.


I've used all variations of leg presses and had far more ROM than what you are talking about and have yet to have any form of injury induced by that machine. Either I'm the man of steel, or I'm just not an idiot. Considering my inclination to injure myself by other means, leaves me to believe I'm more of the latter, rather than the former.

In my meagre 15 yrs or so of being in multiple gyms, I could count on one hand how many people I've seen use more than 8 or 9 plates aside on the leg press. It's only been on DVD's or magazines where I've seen juicers "ego-load" and then use a laughable ROM. Maybe you're right, I could be an idiot, but I still maintain this machine's design is flawed and provides too many ways to screw your back up.

[MkADcision]

I think the problem is the design of your brain.

Seems like other people use it successfully, why might it be that you can't?

Hmmmm?

Wow! "Design of your brain"..what an infallible and well thought out argument.

[Coke_Zero]

My leg press machine is my favourite bit of equipment. You just have to be careful when using it. Many machines can injure a person, not just a leg press.

[PeterGibbons316]

This is why I squat. Actually I squat because I'm not a pussy, but this too.

[TheCaz]

To be clear I am referring to the 45 degree leg press machine. I am convinced this contraption must have been invented by a coalition of chiropractor's and physical therapists!
Does anybody actually use this machine (with a significant amount of weight loaded) and actually never experience a back injury???
Thanks to this machine my lower back is fuarked for probably 3-5 days. Admittedly it is my fault for probably bringing my upper legs down to slightly more than a 90 degree angle and most likely rounded my lower back but jeez we're talking a margin of error of a few degrees here!
The cost-benefit ratio of this machine is ridiculous.
The leg press should be systematically eliminated from gyms everywhere!

/rant

I always use ATG form when using the Hack Squat machine. jussayin

Otherwise, I just do BB Squats.

[SquatTilYouDrop]

Wow! "Design of your brain"..what an infallible and well thought out argument.

Never bothered me using it. I guess, I'm just smarter than you and know how to follow directions.

Whatever the case, You're doing it wrong.

[DJAuto]

I've had lower back injuries from leg press...but it's because my form was compromised. I push a significant amount of weight without issues when I am firmly on against the seat and use a controlled technique.

[SquatTilYouDrop]

I've had lower back injuries from leg press...but it's because my form was compromised. I push a significant amount of weight without issues when I am firmly on against the seat and use a controlled technique.

You mean to say, you fit yourself in the leg press properly and pushed with excellent form and no injuries occurred.

Say it isn't so?

[BasRutten]

This is why I squat. Actually I squat because I'm not a pussy, but this too.

This is why I squat
This is why Uh
This is why I squat
This is why I squat Whoo
This is why
This is why I squat

I'm hot cause I squat squat
You ain't cause you're not
This is why
This is why I squat

This is why I squat
Catch me on the block
Every other day
Another bitch another drop
16 bars, 24 plates
44 reps, squatta gimme what you got
I'm in there squatin cars
Push a ton a lot
I'm into shutting stores down so I can squat
If you need a bird I can get it to squat
Tell me what you need you know I get 'em by the flock
I call my homie black meet on the ave
I hit Wash Heights with the money in the bag
We're into big squattas
See my legs never dragged behind in development with my aesthetic body!
Find me with different women that you squattas never had
For those who say they know me know I'm focused on protein
player you come between you'd better focus on the beam
I keep it so mean the way you see me lean
And when they say I squat, my squatta dis is what I mean

[chazzy1864]

This is why I squat. Actually I squat because I'm not a pussy, but this too.

+ every facepalm image ever created.

[400Lb Gorilla]

I always use ATG form when using the Hack Squat machine. jussayin

Otherwise, I just do BB Squats.

this has what to do with this whole argument or even the post you quoted?

jus' askin'

i love the leg press, i dont use often anymore, but it is still a great machine that is used CORRECTLY is just as safe as anything else in the gym you do with correct form. that being said i am sure some people(and maybe you are one OP) are prone to injuries on it regardless of weight. i work with one guy that can do all variations of squats, lunges, deadlifts, and lower back exercises but as soon as he sits on the leg press he fukks his back up.

[PeterGibbons316]

+ every facepalm image ever created.

LOL

I was hoping you would give me **** for that one...

[SquatTilYouDrop]

this has what to do with this whole argument or even the post you quoted?

jus' askin'

i love the leg press, i dont use often anymore, but it is still a great machine that is used CORRECTLY is just as safe as anything else in the gym you do with correct form. that being said i am sure some people(and maybe you are one OP) are prone to injuries on it regardless of weight. i work with one guy that can do all variations of squats, lunges, deadlifts, and lower back exercises but as soon as he sits on the leg press he fukks his back up.

You know, seriously the OP should have titled this thread. Most dangerous piece of equipment in the gym - for me LegPress!

If it bothers you, then don't use it - Many other options to build legs out there. It's a valuable leg building tool for others. That's why I posted so many smart ass comments to the OP.

[400Lb Gorilla]

You know, seriously the OP should have titled this thread. Most dangerous piece of equipment in the gym - for me LegPress!

If it bothers you, then don't use it - Many other options to build legs out there. It's a valuable leg building tool for others. That's why I posted so many smart ass comments to the OP.

lol true, but some people forget that THEY may be one of a few that cant use certain exercises. if i had to use leg press as my main leg builder i would be fukked lol. as soon as the weight gets heavy i start letting that low back come off the pad. but as an assistance exercise to squats and lunges it is great.

i do believe some bodybuilders use this machine as their main exercise for smashing quads though and have built some great wheels doing it. could not name any of them but i am pretty sure i have heard of a few

[JOHN GARGANI]

I think the problem is the design of your brain.

Seems like other people use it successfully, why might it be that you can't?

Hmmmm?

Never bothered me using it. I guess, I'm just smarter than you and know how to follow directions.

Whatever the case, You're doing it wrong.

GREAT! lol...

OP: SQUAT is another member of the "tough love" club here, and has a lot of knowledge to impart, but is not going to mince words....

leg press is an ABUSED machine: people loading it up with ridiculous weights and doing half arsed reps...

[trev71]

If you're spent any amount of time in a gym, you'd know that tons of people put LOADS of weight on there (it is their ego lift) and do not experience injury.

..../sigh

If I could squat what I could leg press, I'd have an ego, and probably a #1 hit series " Door Blasters ". I'd be all kicking in garage doors, bank safes n stuff... probably right after Hoarders.. or CSI Miami.

[MkADcision]

Lot of valid points here. At the end of the day I chalk it up to getting older and not keeping 100% strict form.
Live and learn.

[DJAuto]

You mean to say, you fit yourself in the leg press properly and pushed with excellent form and no injuries occurred.

Say it isn't so?

Indeed. I revolutionized how to lift.

[SquatTilYouDrop]

Indeed. I revolutionized how to lift.

I seriously would not doubt it, my friend.

[TheCaz]

this has what to do with this whole argument or even the post you quoted?

jus' askin'

Isn't he talking about Hack Squats? Well, what he is saying is that he goes 'technically ATG' on Hacks right? Maybe he is talking about something else entirely.