Squats As The Only Leg Exercise

[Do_Somethin]

Squats seem to have evolved into the literally only leg exercise I do now. Mind you my squat is starting to come along but is this a good idea?
I just seem to really like to squat (going to parrallel - the safetys will only allow that depth). I'll spend an hour or so just squatting. Start with the bar for 15, add some weight for 15, then keep adding weight for 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. Often do a few sets of the singles sometimes adding a 2 1/2 or 5 (x2). Basically after a few sets I like to vary the rep range.
I really enjoy it! Is there something wrong with me?

Edit:
My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar (I don't count the bar in my log) and then 2x my body weight on the bar. Currently my body weight is 168. My best (as of Thursday) is 230 (for 1 after doing 225 for 1).
Train legs 2 days out of 5.

[Luwbz]

I do squats as only leg exercise but i will be adding calf raises, mind you i train lower 3 days a week and upper 5 days a week

[discdoggie]

If you are only going to do one exercise, squats certainly are the one to pick.

[evo3129]

It would probably be benifical if you deadlifted as well. That way your posterior chain will get a proper work out too.

good for the hamstrings.

[darenblack]

when i do squats i feel it in my quads mainly , deadlift seems to have more effect on glutes and hamstrings. so its best "for me" to split leg workout inn half, 6 sets squat/ 6 sets deadlift.

[pharmamarketer]

I wouldn't ignore your hammies directly.

[bodyhard]

You have to hit the Hams man do some SLDL or leg curls along with the squats.

Ohh and nothing wrong with you, loving squats should come natural

[RetBodyBuilder]

Squats seem to have evolved into the literally only leg exercise I do now. Mind you my squat is starting to come along but is this a good idea?
I just seem to really like to squat (going to parrallel - the safetys will only allow that depth). I'll spend an hour or so just squatting. Start with the bar for 15, add some weight for 15, then keep adding weight for 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. Often do a few sets of the singles sometimes adding a 2 1/2 or 5 (x2). Basically after a few sets I like to vary the rep range.
I really enjoy it! Is there something wrong with me?

Edit:
My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar (I don't count the bar in my log) and then 2x my body weight on the bar. Currently my body weight is 168. My best (as of Thursday) is 230 (for 1 after doing 225 for 1).
Train legs 2 days out of 5.

One hour only squats and 2 days a week? I dunno...

[Do_Somethin]

Yes I think I'll start doing the deads this coming week too and see how that works out. Should be interesting to compare the two lifts like that.

[retiredrunner]

Don't forget about front squats

[DocHoss]

My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar

My goal too. I never thought about BW plus the bar. But after a year of dedicated squatting I'm barely managing 225, so I don't think I'm going to see 350 any time soon.

Ohh and nothing wrong with you, loving squats should come natural

I love squats, but squats don't love me (see above)

[x-trainer ben]

Yes I think I'll start doing the deads this coming week too and see how that works out. Should be interesting to compare the two lifts like that.

Dont sleep on these http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercise...bbell-deadlift

if done correctly your hammys will get grooves and nice separation.

[Brackneyc]

Yes I think I'll start doing the deads this coming week too and see how that works out. Should be interesting to compare the two lifts like that.

I do DL on back day. Maybe I am doing it wrong. To me, DL are not necessarily a leg builder. But, as I said, I am likely wrong on this.

[bodyhard]

I do DL on back day. Maybe I am doing it wrong. To me, DL are not necessarily a leg builder. But, as I said, I am likely wrong on this.

I am in agreement with you, deads for back.

Although I do suggest SLDL for Hams, but SLDL and deadlifts are two totally different movements.

[NorwichGrad]

I agree with all the feedback.

[ironwill2008]

Squats seem to have evolved into the literally only leg exercise I do now. Mind you my squat is starting to come along but is this a good idea?

Depends on your specific training goal, and what you've learned from experience to be the most effective exercise(s) for you that will get you there most efficiently.



All the bodybuilders I know/have known have always used multiple leg exercises in their routines.

My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar (I don't count the bar in my log) and then 2x my body weight on the bar. Currently my body weight is 168. My best (as of Thursday) is 230 (for 1 after doing 225 for 1).
Train legs 2 days out of 5.

There's nothing at all wrong with having a short-to-medium-term goal such as ^^^^ this, even for someone training as a bodybuilder. Again, it's up to what your goal might be, and how much the mirror enters into it.

[JRT6]

I squat well below parallel/ATG so I get all the lower back work I can handle. I don't DL anymore b/c of my crooked elbows but I have a homemade GH raise that works just fine. Every now and then I do romanians but I can't hold much more than 315.

[orb85750]

Add something for hamstrings & calves -- deadlifts and/or stiff-legged deadlifts plus some type of calf raise.

[Do_Somethin]

Don't forget about front squats

It looks like Leg Day is going to be amazing! How do these hit the legs differently?

Dont sleep on these http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercise...bbell-deadlift

if done correctly your hammys will get grooves and nice separation.

Can they compliment SLDLs with a bar? Our dumbbells only go to 100.

I am in agreement with you, deads for back.

Although I do suggest SLDL for Hams, but SLDL and deadlifts are two totally different movements.

Yes the SLDLs were the ones I was going to do. Do you suggest bar or plate-loaded machine?

[Do_Somethin]

Depends on your specific training goal, and what you've learned from experience to be the most effective exercise(s) for you that will get you there most efficiently.



All the bodybuilders I know/have known have always used multiple leg exercises in their routines.





There's nothing at all wrong with having a short-to-medium-term goal such as ^^^^ this, even for someone training as a bodybuilder. Again, it's up to what your goal might be, and how much the mirror enters into it.

Good advice.

Add something for hamstrings & calves -- deadlifts and/or stiff-legged deadlifts plus some type of calf raise.

If I do this I may have to either lengthen the workout or add calves to another day. The split is currently:
Monday: Chest (morning), Shoulders (afternoon)
Tuesday: Legs
Wednesday: Back
Thursday: Legs
Friday: Arms
Work most weekends. And my back can handle this well. Back is my strong suit. It has helped that I also have added a weight belt to the heavier sets. I take it off between those sets too.

[jb4476]

Squats seem to have evolved into the literally only leg exercise I do now. Mind you my squat is starting to come along but is this a good idea?
I just seem to really like to squat (going to parrallel - the safetys will only allow that depth). I'll spend an hour or so just squatting. Start with the bar for 15, add some weight for 15, then keep adding weight for 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. Often do a few sets of the singles sometimes adding a 2 1/2 or 5 (x2). Basically after a few sets I like to vary the rep range.
I really enjoy it! Is there something wrong with me?

Edit:
My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar (I don't count the bar in my log) and then 2x my body weight on the bar. Currently my body weight is 168. My best (as of Thursday) is 230 (for 1 after doing 225 for 1).
Train legs 2 days out of 5.

Seems reasonable enough. The only leg exercises I do are front and back squats, it seems to work (although I should add, I do not train for aesthetics or size):

[JOHN GARGANI]

JOE : many moons ago, I was right where you were: nothing but squats....my legs didn't suffer....

as I got more room for my home gym, I was able to add things to complement the workout...but for many years, squats were basically my only, and go to leg exercise....

[azstrengthcoach]

Squats seem to have evolved into the literally only leg exercise I do now. Mind you my squat is starting to come along but is this a good idea?
I just seem to really like to squat (going to parrallel - the safetys will only allow that depth). I'll spend an hour or so just squatting. Start with the bar for 15, add some weight for 15, then keep adding weight for 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. Often do a few sets of the singles sometimes adding a 2 1/2 or 5 (x2). Basically after a few sets I like to vary the rep range.
I really enjoy it! Is there something wrong with me?

Edit:
My goal is 2x my body weight counting the bar (I don't count the bar in my log) and then 2x my body weight on the bar. Currently my body weight is 168. My best (as of Thursday) is 230 (for 1 after doing 225 for 1).
Train legs 2 days out of 5.

The squat is a great movement and will give you good development

[bodyhard]

Yes the SLDLs were the ones I was going to do. Do you suggest bar or plate-loaded machine?

Plate loaded machine?

Nah man if you are going to do SLDL, stick with free weights.

[m314]

Plate loaded machine?

Nah man if you are going to do SLDL, stick with free weights.

I don't know if those are even possible with a machine unless it's a Smith machine. That seems dangerous with the fixed line range of motion.

The only leg exercises I do are squats, some form of deadlifts, and calf raises. I wouldn't give up squats or deads, but the calf raises are optional.