What is a good alternative for a leg press?

[M3no18]

I currently workout at home, I just purchased a power cage, and Olympic weight plate set 300LB I have a great decline/flat/incline bench, that has a 600LB limit, dumbbells, a home gym 150LB cable machine with most attachments and treadmill. I am not trying to spend any more money than I already have so I am looking for a good safe alternative for a leg press? I know there's a lot of different variations of squats I can do, but I am not sure if that's the only option out there?

[KBKB]

I currently workout at home, I just purchased a power cage, and Olympic weight plate set 300LB I have a great decline/flat/incline bench, that has a 600LB limit, dumbbells, a home gym 150LB cable machine with most attachments and treadmill. I am not trying to spend any more money than I already have so I am looking for a good safe alternative for a leg press? I know there's a lot of different variations of squats I can do, but I am not sure if that's the only option out there?

You have a power rack. What's wrong with doing squats?

[urbanlifter]

Goblet squats, for sure....

[cwcmac]

Goblet squats, for sure....

Quit trying to get rep from Dom.

[M3no18]

Huh?

[KBKB]

Huh?

The goblet squat comment is part of a running joke among some of the forum regulars...

[urbanlifter]

Quit trying to get rep from Dom.

LOL

Huh?

Sorry, just an inside joke based on Dom's love for goblet squatting. Search CL for machines, bunch of used stuff out there if you are looking for leg development accessory work (although not needed). Specifically you could look for something similar to a Powertec Leverage squat, there are commercial versions as well but it's going to cost $$$. There are also those vertical leg press machines, little cheaper and take up less space.

[M3no18]

Lol I was confused for a second.

[M3no18]

Thanks, I actually love doing goblet squats I’ll just have to go heavier on the weight?

[KBKB]

Thanks, I actually love doing goblet squats I’ll just have to go heavier on the weight?

When I'm doing a kettlebell workout and want a heavier version of the goblet squat, I do a double kettlebell front squat.

As you probably know, you can do front squats with your rack and barbell too.

[melDorado]

Front squats are the greatest leg exercise
Dont even consider anything else

[murphyreedus]

Quit trying to get rep from Dom.

Pretty sure Dom quit doing them after Mech wouldn't make him a goblet squat rack attachment.

[M3no18]

Nothing I love squats I just wanted to see if there were any good alternatives for a leg press.

[twodog]

Nothing I love squats I just wanted to see if there were any good alternatives for a leg press.

I pretty much use my leg press exclusively for calves, or to let the women in the house work out.

[KBKB]

Rip's leg press video:

[Hardgains88]

After doing squats, if you are looking for another leg movement and dont want to buy more equipment here are some decent additional exercises i use that would not require added equipment

1) front squats, hits thigh more then regular squats but not as good fir overall lower body development, excellent for after regulat squats.
2) lunges with barbell. Do them in place resetting each rep, or walking lunges if you have room. Awesome glute, ham, and overall leg developer, a little less low back involvement
3) weighted step ups. Get or make a wooden box. I have a titan adjustable steel one that works great. Using barbell or holding dumbell, do step ups. Like lunges, try alternating legs or doing one side per set then alternating. This is a sleeper of a great leg developer. Try 15-24” height. Im spoiled, i do these with a functional trainer, setting the pulley height so the resistance starts right as i step up. This reduces the fatigue to the hand because your only holding the weight as you go up, not the whole time. It works great with dumbells or barbell though.
4) stiff leg deadlifts, this is one of the kungs of hamstring development
5) since you have a cable machine, order a hamstringer cable attachment from spud and do kickbacks. I do them traditional with knee joint rigid and body upright and also bent over and starting with leg bent, pushing the leg out behind me like more of a glute exercise. This is usually more of a warm up exercise for me, not a main exercise, makes a good warm up.

[urbanlifter]

Good lord, that leg press in Rip's video sounds terrible LOL

[KBKB]

Good lord, that leg press in Rip's video sounds terrible LOL

Perhaps the racket made by his leg press machine persuades his clients to make a quicker transition to the squat?

[cmarti063]

Perhaps the racket made by his leg press machine persuades his clients to make a quicker transition to the squat?

Then they see Mike Tuchscherer doing all manners of leg press, hack squats, etc and realize Rip hasn't produced any serious competitors ever and leave to find a quality coach.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BinKm51ACiO/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh9p0uVggPf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRB8O0TgCcx/

[urbanlifter]

^^^Agree, I respect Rip but I take what he says with a grain of salt. I'm not a leg press fanboi, but they are absolutely useless? Not sure about that, pretty sure they have all sorts of use for both bodybuilding and powerlifting.

[murphyreedus]

Rip can do what Rip does. I want a leg press in my gym, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

[gym62richard]

Rip can do what Rip does. I want a leg press in my gym, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

From the sound of Rip's leg press, you don't want Rip's leg press.

[sowilson]

If you want to spend money how about a belt squat machine or a reverse hyper.

[Hardgains88]

Hes got a basic set up he just finished putting together, so OP just wants exercises to do with the current mix if equipment.... he hasnt been on the forum long enough to start buying expensive additional gear he really doesnt need... thats usually 3 months or so, then you reakize theres no actual amount of equipment that is “enough”

[Domicron]

i really don't enjoy squats, but they're just too good to not do. an old personal trainer told me on stuff i don't like to do, just load up the weight and do high weight/low volume to get it over with "just be sure you hit them really hard." it's actually helped me to enjoy them a little more. when lifting at home, be sure to set the safeties and Practice how you will fail on the lift.

also do goblet squats

[murphyreedus]

From the sound of Rip's leg press, you don't want Rip's leg press.

Lol. That's just a little Texas grit caught in the sled.

[LarryPendur]

If you don't want to spend any more money for a leg press, then you can just try every variation of squat and dumbel lunges and step-ups.

[ironwill2008]

I currently workout at home, I just purchased a power cage, and Olympic weight plate set 300LB I have a great decline/flat/incline bench, that has a 600LB limit, dumbbells, a home gym 150LB cable machine with most attachments and treadmill. I am not trying to spend any more money than I already have so I am looking for a good safe alternative for a leg press? I know there's a lot of different variations of squats I can do, but I am not sure if that's the only option out there?

A Leg Press is a Leg Press.

There are other leg exercises you can perform though, such as BB and DB Lunges of all types (side, in-place, reverse, stationary, walking), Barbell Hack Squats, BB and DB Bulgarian Split Squats, and, with a sturdy store-bought or homemade box, BB and DB Step-ups.


Additionally, don't forget to work your hamstrings; good joint health depends on balanced antagonist development.

[Skidmarx]

No way I'd do a video featuring that POS

[Jason2459]

^^^Agree, I respect Rip but I take what he says with a grain of salt. I'm not a leg press fanboi, but they are absolutely useless? Not sure about that, pretty sure they have all sorts of use for both bodybuilding and powerlifting.

This one guy was a fan of single leg leg presses. Had an ok squat. Think his name was Ed Conan or something....

Wish I had room for one. Lots of good alternates listed above.

SSB Dr. Squat "Hatfeilld squats" with a handle is a good alternative as well.