Leg Press - more weight for less range of movement?

[GodsGiftToFatBirds]

The leg press machine in my gym is the type where the starting position is you're lying back with your feet above you, legs at like a 45 degree angle.
My way of doing it is to lower the weight down to the bumper thing at the bottom (so me knees are almost tucked into my chest), wait for it to be static, then push the weight up from there.

This makes it a sh!tload harder than what everyone else seems to do - lowering the weight about half way down, then pushing up from there, meaning they can pile like double the weights on.

Is there any advantage to piling more weight on just to sacrifice the range of movement?
Whenever i ask someone why they only take it half way down, they're just like 'i can do more weight this way' but can't explain the benefit any more than that.

 

[semag]

they're retarded.

 

[Lifeforce]

The full motion of the leg press is to go down as far as you can without having your lower back taking all the pressure. Then you return the weight but do not lock out the knees.

 

[Alpine]

It can be used sensibly, for instance in GVT and there is research showing very heavy weights at full extension can be effective.

However your guys in the gym almost for sure are doing it purely to impress. Stick to a full range of motion. Better still leave the leg press machine, 90% are ergonomic disasters.

 

[GodsGiftToFatBirds]

Yeh, thats kinda what i thought about it just being for show, having more weight on the rack.
What you mean by ergonomic disasters? - I've had very good results on my legs from using the leg press but i don't get if you're referring to the effectiveness of leg press or summat else

 

[Lifeforce]

The ergonomy of the leg press probably, it''s not very good IMO. Real men squat so it doesn't really matter.

 

[Heizen]

I go until either my knees hit my chest of my legs go to 90 degrees.

Squats are better than leg press no question. I like using leg press to finish off my quads.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Leg press is only good for calf raises.

Seriously, just squat. I use to substitute with the leg press as well, telling myself it was "safer" without a spotter. Squats will give you better gains, period.

 

[Alpine]

Squatting (properly) is better for the knees. Some machines, such as Hammer's designs are good, but again you have to use it properly. Bad machines wreck your knees and potentially your back.

 

[Centaurion]

Leg presses are decent. But however, under no circumstances do not sacrfice the ROM for more weight. I see fookers at the gym loading up 300lbs on the bar and then do a 2'' squat. It's plain and simple retarded.

 

[EFFORT]

Originally posted by Lifeforce
The ergonomy of the leg press probably, it''s not very good IMO. Real men squat so it doesn't really matter.

Thats right. All you need to do is pick one of these formats for squats 1x20 (killer, the thought of having to finish your legs off after this will never come into your mind), 2x10, 3x5, obviously the weight will be different for the different rep schemes.

 

[gav]

Originally posted by semag
they're retarded.

 

[GodsGiftToFatBirds]

Thanks for the replies.

Got couple questions bout squats etc:

Tried them for the first time properly today since so many people have recommended them (i've had an induction on them before so know the technique but never used them).

Firstly, is it safe to push yourself to failure on them without a spotter?
I built it up till i was doing 85kg going real low (like backside almost touching the floor low) but got the feeling i might fail on any more than that. And with not having a spotter, i wasn't sure if it was safe to push myself to a weight i might fail on. In fact, could a spotter actually help if you were failing on squats?

Secondly, is the bar supposed to dig right into your neck or is that because you're resting it on the wrong bit? I had a towel round but could still feel it digging in.

Thirdly, to Effort, whats the idea of doing 1 x 20? And why is that never mentioned for other exercises too?

Finally, i also tried lunges with a barbell today. Same question as for squats: is it safe to push yourself to failure on this exercise without the help of a spotter?

 

[Alpine]

Originally posted by GodsGiftToFatBirds
Thanks for the replies.

Got couple questions bout squats etc:

Tried them for the first time properly today since so many people have recommended them (i've had an induction on them before so know the technique but never used them).

Firstly, is it safe to push yourself to failure on them without a spotter?

A:No it's not, you should be using a squat rack/power cage. I'd suggest doing deadlifts if you have no safety gear.

I built it up till i was doing 85kg going real low (like backside almost touching the floor low) but got the feeling i might fail on any more than that. And with not having a spotter, i wasn't sure if it was safe to push myself to a weight i might fail on. In fact, could a spotter actually help if you were failing on squats?

Secondly, is the bar supposed to dig right into your neck or is that because you're resting it on the wrong bit? I had a towel round but could still feel it digging in.

A:You get used to it. You can start off by bringing some foam pipe lagging to put round it. Also don't have it too high on the neck.

Thirdly, to Effort, whats the idea of doing 1 x 20? And why is that never mentioned for other exercises too?

A:20 rep squats are an allround bodybuilder. Get a book called supersquats.

Finally, i also tried lunges with a barbell today. Same question as for squats: is it safe to push yourself to failure on this exercise without the help of a spotter?

A:Know need to do lunges, stick to squats or deadlifts.