Plats/help a bro out with Quads

[Goldprospector]

I am having trouble gettin any response from my quads doing squats. I only feel a burn in my glutes and hamstrings. My hams are responding nicely and I am getting substantial growth....but my quads seems to just be staying the same. I have been alternating heavy leg extentions for low reps and lightweight extention for high reps each week but this seems to only define (cuts) my quads rather than cause growth.
First problem is my right ankle don't bend, I had a bone fushion several years ago because of an injury. So the only way I can get my right leg to work while squatting is to have both of my heels elevated. My heels are on a 1" board while I squat, feet are about 3 or 4 inches wider than shoulder width.

I use a smith rack because I work out at home and don't have a spotter, I feel like my form is good, I am going parallel, and my feet are directly under the bar

Should I try, front squats, or maybe push my feet out in front of the bar to turn it into a old hack type?

Any help ?

 

[Clean]

yes, do front squats! I would not recommend smith machine squats, bad for your back.

 

[powerslave]

Agree with Clean. Add front squats to your routine. I mainly use zercher squats for my quads.

 

[Paulo]

Hour or longer mountain biking sessions make my quads explode.

 

[wtlftr]

I agree with front squats

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

I agree with Paulo and Clean. Front squats and some bike riding with hills. Not 2 miles either. 7-10 miles with plenty of inclines to get started. lunges with heavy weights may be something else you can add to your legs workouts.

 

[Goldprospector]

I'll throw in some front squats...but I can't do lunges because of not being able to bend my ankle...it's a real bitch.

I had a guy from the training forum tell me that my hamstrings and glutes are not as strong as my quads is the reason...makes a good point since squats are supposed to work the whole leg.

 

[sh4dowf4lcon]

A BIG PIMP SLAP of Karma for everyone who replied to GP.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

When I had difficulty getting quads to respond, I'd start out with strict rep leg extensions. 5 seconds squeeze up, 2 seconds hold, 5 seconds down. I'd do one warm up and 4 working. Then I'd do squats with as much weight as I could handle and still keep the form. I'd do 3 sets of 12, but it would go much like this. 5-6 reps, rest 30 seconds, 3ish reps, rest 30 seconds...until I had the 12 out. Then I'd rest for 2 - 3 minutes and start the next set. After a month of that my legs started responding again, and I went back to my regular routine.

 

[onerepmaximum]

If I use a smith machine to squat, I throw my feet way out in front. A lot of people think there's something wrong with it, but I think that's because they don't really know no gooder. If your feet are way out in front, it takes your back out of it. I would also say try to vary your intensity. Some people respond better to higher reps.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

... they don't really know no gooder. ...

LOL, you ARE a mid-west kinda guy!

 

[onerepmaximum]

LOL, you ARE a mid-west kinda guy!

You can take the boy out of the midwest........

 

[Goldprospector]

I threw the bitch slap Karma to everyone that I could...For some reason I must heve given SF a hit recently...Can't get it to him until I spread it around