Do I need a leg press?

Dutch Jerry · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 11:11 AM

As for now, I'm working out at the local gym. I am thinking of buying a power rack though and start working out at home. Actually, I'd like to buy the Powertec Power Rack with bench etc, just like John Stone used to have.

Most exercises I do in the gym, I could do at home. Except I think for the incline leg press.

My question is: do I need a leg press at my future home gym? What alternatives are there for the inclined leg press machine?

Hockey4 · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Jerry

As for now, I'm working out at the local gym. I am thinking of buying a power rack though and start working out at home. Actually, I'd like to buy the Powertec Power Rack with bench etc, just like John Stone used to have.

Most exercises I do in the gym, I could do at home. Except I think for the incline leg press.

My question is: do I need a leg press at my future home gym? What alternatives are there for the inclined leg press machine?

The leg press isn't that great a leg exercise, actually. You're better off with the variety of squats (front, back, zercher, etc) and different types of lunges. And hey, you'll save money.

chris0374 · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 06:23 PM

You don't need it. But if you mainly use splits, I think they're great to throw in there since I think doing couple different squats in a workout can be draining.

Cramp11 · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 07:42 PM

I was debating about a leg press machine as well. I have the same Powertec Rack that John used to have. (watch out John... I'm coming for ya

) Anywho... I'm passing on it. There are lots of leg exercises you can do without spending the money on another machine. I still haven't tried a different kind of squat. I figure I'm still adding weight so keep going...

Oh... The only other reason why I wanted a leg press machine was for calf raises.

zenpharaohs · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Jerry

As for now, I'm working out at the local gym. I am thinking of buying a power rack though and start working out at home. Actually, I'd like to buy the Powertec Power Rack with bench etc, just like John Stone used to have.

Most exercises I do in the gym, I could do at home. Except I think for the incline leg press.

My question is: do I need a leg press at my future home gym? What alternatives are there for the inclined leg press machine?

By all means you do not need a leg press. It's not that great of an exercise.

Get that power rack and do some Bulgarians with a plate or two on the bar and you can leave that leg press alone. You can do a ton of stuff with a power rack.

zenpharaohs · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris0374

You don't need it. But if you mainly use splits, I think they're great to throw in there since I think doing couple different squats in a workout can be draining.

Drain away!

zenpharaohs · Thu, August 9th, 2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cramp11

Oh... The only other reason why I wanted a leg press machine was for calf raises.

Go single leg on the calf raises and a barbell and a power rack will take care of all your needs.
h

Dutch Jerry · Fri, August 10th, 2007, 03:14 AM

Thanks all. No need to save for a leg press thingy.

mastover · Fri, August 10th, 2007, 04:32 AM

I share a different opinion. I don't believe the leg press exercise is a worthless movement at all. However, I do agree with everyone in that if you do not have one, you can do everything in the rack.

I used to train in a powerlifting facility which was basically a warehoue filled with squat racks, benches, and deadlift platforms. I trained for a lot of my shows there and all I did for legs were squats, front squats, split squats, sumo squats, pause squats, and zerchers. No leg extensions, leg curls, stiff leg deadlifts (although I was doing regular deads), not even any calf work. This was about the time when my quads looked their finest.

If you train in a gym, there are many different ways to use a leg press machine. IE: different foot positions, multiple sets of higher reps (25-50), as a pre-exhast to squats or it's variant, unilateral work, toe raises for calves, etc.

Recently I've been doing a compound superset: Leg Press/Squats

zenpharaohs · Fri, August 10th, 2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mastover

Recently I've been doing a compound superset: Leg Press/Squats

This particular mistake-of-nature is quite popular with my trainer and his other trainer buddies. The like to go to this other gym in the franchise which has a big leg press and get happy with plates, and then squat.