Squat overrated (read me)

[ryno9000]

Ok, so I don't think the Squat is overrated, but hear me out. I've been ignoring leg presses as a primary exercise because for the longest time, everyone says "you have to do squats to grow," "squats are a must," blah blah blah. Tonight I skipped regular squats entirely (I still did some hack squats) and just did leg presses in their place (instead of tired ass leg presses at the end or something like I have been "told" to do). My legs feel so much more worked than they ever do with doing squats! For me, squats are extremely taxing on my overall energy and I find that I get an overall tired before my legs are extremely fatigued. This was not the case tonight! Not saying I won't ever squat again, but I feel a lot of growth about to happen with my new discovery. So I ask, why is everyone so religious about doing squats?

 

[artificialaspirations]

you body just got used to them. change is good but don't eliminate squats entirely.

 

[deathdroprob]

you body just got used to them. change is good but don't eliminate squats entirely.

Yeah your legs wrnt used to the change, BUT I also dont find squats as good for legs......like I wont feel the legs getting an awseome pump and Im screwed all over but after a few hard weeks of squats I always notice my legs are lookin finer than ever.

Just mix the excersies around.

 

[stevius]

Muscle does not appear on your body from working with improved leverages. You build muscle by working your body where it is weakest. The leg press gives you an advantage- the leverages are so good you can use half a ton in no time. If that won't build muscle, nothing will.

For anyone that does both leg press and squat there's no good way to determine what works and what doesn't. You can attribute your results to the overall genius of your program OR you can break it down and remove all the fluff. Ask the leg press only pro to really see how useful it is as a tool.

As for the squat maybe you're doing a back squat which tends to work the hips glutes hams calves and surprise, surprise.. the back. It is not a pure leg exercise more a hybrid of the deadlift and front squat. The front squat paired with back squat is the perfect marriage but ideally you want an orgy with deadlifts GM's ghrs, rdls, power cleans etc.

Of course squats tax you energy. It's a near full body movement. Leg press gives you a lot of support. Get your core strong and work with poor leverages for muscle that average joe doesn't carry around. Do isolations if you're the kind of person that wants to build every single muscle to its extreme?!

 

[Azinine]

I took a week off after 10 weeks on the madcow 5x5. Yesterday, I squatted again for the first time in 7 days. Today, my legs are sore for the first time in about 8 weeks.

Your body just got used to the squats. DOMS isn't necessarily a good indicator of how effective the exercise is.

 

[bottleneckblooz]

DOMS?? Sorry, what is this?

 

[deathdroprob]

DOMS?? Sorry, what is this?

Used Condoms

 

[bottleneckblooz]

Wait, I think I figured it out...Degree Of Muscle Soreness...?

 

[sessa]

DOMS?? Sorry, what is this?

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

 

[NJL52]

Ok, so I don't think the Squat is overrated, but hear me out. I've been ignoring leg presses as a primary exercise because for the longest time, everyone says "you have to do squats to grow," "squats are a must," blah blah blah. Tonight I skipped regular squats entirely (I still did some hack squats) and just did leg presses in their place (instead of tired ass leg presses at the end or something like I have been "told" to do). My legs feel so much more worked than they ever do with doing squats! For me, squats are extremely taxing on my overall energy and I find that I get an overall tired before my legs are extremely fatigued. This was not the case tonight! Not saying I won't ever squat again, but I feel a lot of growth about to happen with my new discovery. So I ask, why is everyone so religious about doing squats?

Sorry if this comes off sounding prickish,but your 15 minute insight at the gym regarding leg presses does not hold precedent over the millions who have experienced, studied, and worked with squats over the past 50 years.

Squats are exponentially better then any other leg workout. Period.