Squats V's Leg-press

[ApexJimi]

In the assumption that one does deadlifts, am I really going to be missing out on much if I replace squats with leg-presses?

It doesn't matter how hard I try, I just cannot get on with squats. Not the movement itself, but the wrist action - I just can't get it comfortable

I should also add that it doesn't matter whether it's the smith machine or a free bar.

[Quaint]

I'm no expert but personally I find that leg-press machines isolate the leg muscles almost completely, while squats work all sorts of other bits (especially, in my case, spinal erectors and obliques, from keeping me balanced and stable as I lift). For this reason I much prefer squats despite the fact that I can't lift as much as I can leg-press. I much prefer back squats though - I find front squats horrendously uncomfortable.

You could also try doing split squats with heavy dumb-bells if your wrists are a problem; they're utterly brutal but I find them very good for getting my hamstrings and glutes working; even being beasted on "strict form" with squats I find most of the work is done by my quads.

[bales]

Squats are so much better than leg press as it uses the core so much.

When you say it hurts your wrists I am little confused, are you doing front squats?

There shouldn't be any weight on your wrists at all in fact you are only really resting your hands on the bar to balance it, try moving your hands right out to the edges of the bar and just hold it very lightly.

Just start of with light weights and make sure you go right down to the floor, much better for you than heavy half squats.

Alternatively do squats with dumbells in your hands or try lunges with dumbells.

With proper technique there shouldn't be any strain on your wrists whatsoever.

[ApexJimi]

Nope, I'm talking in reference to back squats. Jeez, front squats are terrible!

My form is perfect, but my wrists always seem to want to bend backwards with the bar - and therein lies the problem for me.

[bales]

ApexJimi said:

Nope, I'm talking in reference to back squats. Jeez, front squats are terrible!

My form is perfect, but my wrists always seem to want to bend backwards with the bar - and therein lies the problem for me.

Erm...well can you just not rotate your wrists round so that they are on top of the bar, to be honest my guess would be that it highlights a lack of shoulder flexibility.

As a test try and do a snatch type squat with the bar held directly above your head, as you go down into the squat you should be able to keep the bar directly overhead, if it starts to come forward then you need to work on your shuolder flexibilty.

[996 sps]

bales said:

ApexJimi said:

Nope, I'm talking in reference to back squats. Jeez, front squats are terrible!

My form is perfect, but my wrists always seem to want to bend backwards with the bar - and therein lies the problem for me.

Erm...well can you just not rotate your wrists round so that they are on top of the bar, to be honest my guess would be that it highlights a lack of shoulder flexibility.

As a test try and do a snatch type squat with the bar held directly above your head, as you go down into the squat you should be able to keep the bar directly overhead, if it starts to come forward then you need to work on your shuolder flexibilty.

You won't need to work on your shoulder flexibility if the bar comes forward, if he's placing the bar behind his neck the shoulder must be fine in external rotation, would it help if you put a pad on the bar so your wrists where flexed more or a thick towel, try to keep doing squats they are a compound move.