• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• General Fitness & Exercise
• Are machine squats as beneficial

Group: General Fitness & Exercise

Are machine squats as beneficial

Rainnin81 Posts: 118 Joined: 2005/05/20	2005/06/14, 02:59 PM as squats with the bar? I am having trouble with the bar but I can do the machines where you are laying at an incline w/your feet on the big plate..... I finish up with some regular squats w/o any weights... Is this still a good start?
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2005/06/14, 03:14 PM Ah... the leg press... I love the leg press... I dunno if they are more beneficial or not... regular squats, I would think, help your balance and stability... I would suggest using the press till your legs get stronger, then maybe move to squats... or, try squats with a very light weight till you're more comfortable with a heavier weight... If I'm incorrect, someone correct me! t -------------- This donut has purple in the middle, purple is a fruit. - Homer (Simpson) Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/06/14, 03:52 PM That's the way I'm doing it...that and I don't want to kill myself till after I get good results and can at least look good in my coffin. I spoke with a personal trainer once that had me do a squat with no weight. He basically at that point was able to tell me (by my leaning this way or that I guess) what part of my legs I needed to work on to even them out and what exercises to do. I don't know if he had a clue what he was doing or he was just buying time before he went home and didn't want to talk to anyone so he was having me do silly stuff. It was when I first started at 24 hr fitness...so there's no telling.
gangstershoes Posts: 641 Joined: 2005/05/27	2005/06/14, 03:59 PM I agree with the TimDay, the free weight squat is more effective to increase your stability and control, and in turn it helps you exercise more muscle fibers within your legs. I would start light with the freeweights, and mix in the heavy low reps with the machine leg press afterwards. good luck.
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/06/14, 04:12 PM Good idea gang and tim...think I'll try that out as well. Again back to "being afraid of killing myself part". Right now I'm noticing a lot of failures with various free weights (dumbbells only so far). So that's why I've avoided the big ones...especially since I don't have a spotter.
PoolMaster1990 Posts: 164 Joined: 2005/06/09	2005/06/14, 06:53 PM Yep... i think Tim has it right on! -------------- ~If A equals success, then the formula is: A = X + Y + Z, X is work. Y is play. Z is keep your mouth shut.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/06/14, 10:13 PM I persoanally don't like the leg press........very few can do it corect. Some only go part of the range, or go full range and the back comes off the back support. Even if going full range, I don't think the quad is getting full range of motion worked. Sqaut is always king of the leg excercises. Your adductors and abductor muscle are worked, hams butt,abbs ,lower back and of coarse the quads.......I'd do squats in a smith machine.....before I would use a leg press. This is all just my opinion.....but I think you would get more functional strength, and beter results if you did the squat.... -------------- gravity is not a law, only a obstacle
flyonthewall Posts: 1,823 Joined: 2005/01/18	2005/06/15, 09:43 AM I too prefer squats on a Smith machine. I think it targets more muscles and is a great compound exercise. I always start with 15-20 with no wieght (bar only) to warm up. For some reason it is one of the few things I do that doesn't bug my knees. I'll occationally do ball squats or just standing squats (no weight) to mix things up a bit, but squats are always in my routine- that and lunges-all great for the butt!! I actually find the leg press harder on my knees (probably bad form) -------------- Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/06/15, 10:51 AM Another thing bad abotu leg presses, they are, well tried to be designed univerisally for everyone......as anyone who uses machines know....arm length, body size, height all play into weither or not you can use it. In a leg press if your 6'6 you gonna not have much room for your legs, cause theres only 3ft of space to cram your legs in......however if your 5ft.....you might not be able to get to the plate well for proper feet posistion. This can differ from machien to machine. A squats is a squat and IS universal......a 6'6 guy can go parallel.....as well as a 5ft tall woman.... -------------- gravity is not a law, only a obstacle
Rainnin81 Posts: 118 Joined: 2005/05/20	2005/06/15, 12:15 PM Thanks everyone! I think I know what the smith machine is and I have looked at it but couldn't figure out how to use it and didn't want to look dumb trying to figure it out..... Guess I'll have to do it anyways... :)
sstump1 Posts: 1,227 Joined: 2005/03/20	2005/06/15, 12:18 PM rainnin...don't worry...I'll be right there by you looking dumb also. Well at a different gym though, you get the idea.
yadmit Posts: 4,670 Joined: 2003/10/05	2005/06/15, 12:18 PM I tried squats in a Smith once... found them incredibly awkward...decided to stick with parallel or full squats... or the leg press. t -------------- This donut has purple in the middle, purple is a fruit. - Homer (Simpson) Be here. Live. Love. Hope. Now. Faith. Believe. You. - Keith Urban
Pritchard Posts: 1,212 Joined: 2004/03/02	2005/06/15, 03:31 PM im with andrew, im no expert but when im done with my set on the leg press i never feel satisfied, there is something which isnt there as compared to the squat. i also agree with timday, squats on the smith seem to encourage leaning and its just not comfortable. -------------- driving to eat a carvel cake
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/06/15, 04:12 PM well a smith machine...takes the foraward or back ward motion out......usually if you put your feet in front of the bar.....it feels "better" the machien will support you........hits the glutes alot.....it does make you squat striaght up and down.......but still i'd do that before a leg press. -------------- gravity is not a law, only a obstacle
ianakers Posts: 127 Joined: 2005/02/06	2005/06/19, 12:11 AM It took me a long time to get my form right at squats (im not sure if i still completely do them right) but now i really like them. my squats went up a lot. just try doing them with lighter weight untill you get really used to them. you should keep doing leg presses in the meantime though until you master the squat
DeadOnArrival Posts: 95 Joined: 2005/05/22	2005/06/19, 10:21 PM bigandrew speaks much wisdom. The leg press is a great way to stuff your lower back. Watch when someone does the exercise and take note of their lower back. Smith machine is crap, when you lean back in a hack squat position you shut off the hamstrings thus destabilizing the knee. 85% of reported injuries in the gym are on machines.
Farjano Posts: 2 Joined: 2005/06/27	2005/06/27, 03:58 AM Is it a good weight 960lb on leg press????
bigandrew Posts: 5,146 Joined: 2002/10/21	2005/06/27, 08:51 PM how much can you squat? -------------- gravity is not a law, only a obstacle