The Leg Press with Mark Rippetoe

[@jacklindsay687]

I was expecting a 10 second video where mark calls the leg press machine bullshit and tells you to pick up a bar bell

[@scottmiller5975]

Keep in mind, the Five stars are based on my needs for this item kzbin.infoUgkxUHHotQRjIQnfuxEeVotlkHVYWH0DXZoS When I first bought the bike I was going to return it immediately. After trying it out for several days/weeks I came to realize it is actually perfect for WHY I bought it.This is not a workout, the resistance is, eh, it makes a bit of noise, not loud, and it isn’t very stable even with the mat. The mat certainly keeps the bike from sliding but nothing keeps the mat from sliding (if that makes any sense, lol). Mine is place on my hard wood floor. Maybe it would be better with a rug underneath??I sit for long hours for work and wanted something to keep my legs moving. This bike does exactly that! For the price it is amazing, it is compact, easy to use, light weight, keeps track of time, calories etc (not sure how accurate it is) but good little product. I am happy with it.

[@gunderhaven]

Mark, it's ok to have a leg press in your gym. Sincerely, Everyone

[@SidRabid3]

I remember when I first started working out in 2001 as a sixteen year old, you would only see bodybuilding style multi machines. It’s great to see power racks and Olympic barbells in almost every gym now. I can only wish we had the knowledge and equipment that we have now. But mostly the knowledge, youtube is a treasure trove of information. My first make shift dumbell was a 5kg sledgehammers head lol.

[@kayodoubleu3310]

You are so right. After i joined the military (in germany) with 21 i tried to do a little bit of strength training in the military gym. It just was shit. There were only machines and dumbels. I never could really get into this style of training. Everyone was doing sets of 12s workouts. I than moved on to bodyweight training and kettlebell training and wasted my best years. Had i only heard of Starting Strength earlier i would be incredibly strong now. But now i am in my mid 30s and am stronger than ever.

[@torynichols2413]

I feel like this is a 11 minute video of him trying to justify why he has a leg press in his gym

[@jayfost363]

Hahaha. Exactly.

[@zee4125]

Just goes to show how dogmatic the free weight powerlifting community is.

[@NarayanGMC]

It is.

[@RagnarOdinson]

Negative.

[@markusbystrom9029]

@@zee4125 So you think that it's dogma? Why would you do the leg press over squats if you wanna get stronger? What function other than that which Rip just showed do you think the legpress have? The squats strengthens your entire kinetic chain plus adds an element of balance, the legpress does not.

[@yuriborg8023]

I think he is the most honest no-nonsense No bullshit coach on KZbin, and I have been watching fitness and strength training KZbin channels for last 7 years, and I think is the best, when I come to America I will certainly visit your gym at least once.

[@califitworkout9211]

Trueeee

[@marknawrocki5323]

It’s the best program wish I would have found it 20 years ago when I first injured my back. 3 weeks in it’s the best thing I’ve done for decreasing my pain in 20 years. I’ve tried everything.

[@dylannolan7454]

I appreciate that he caters to people who are just getting started. It is so confusing and difficult at first, machines allow you to progress without putting yourself at risk when you don't understand the form or have any of the strength to preform the big compound lifts.

[@markanthonybuchanan]

I like his priorities, pay for gym, and money left over - beer, food. Lol.

[@JackgarPrime]

Gotta eat big to get big, come on!

[@edwardelric717]

Man expects to die in his gym

[@Native_love]

I LOVE THIS!!! 20 years ago I had just had knee surgery and was rehabilitating my leg on the leg press machine. An a##hole trainer walks by with some teenage client, stands behind me and says, "don't use this unless you want weak ass legs like this loser." To this day, I want to find this guy soooo badly and.... A leg press is a great machine for rehabilitation.

[@anvildo]

I’ve alway said . I’m glad to be used as an example ,even a bad one. You may have scared that young man in to the righteous pursuit of all thing rip!

[@Native_love]

@really sore knee I just had knee surgery. If you can't figure that out I feel sorry for you. :-)

[@nerychristian]

Leg press machine can also fuck up your knees if you are not careful.

[@No14210]

This is why I don't make assumptions about why people do what they do or try to make fun of them or correct them. Even if they are actually doing something terrible like half squats. Maybe they are rehabilitating, maybe they are trying to improve some part of an actual compound exercise. Or maybe they are really just doing high weights without proper ROM for vanity. Even then, it's not my business. It's between them and God. The information is out there for anyone to use. If I'm going to go up there and try to explain shit or make fun, what's the point? Are they going to hear about full squats for the first time from me? Doubt it. As long as they are not obviously hurting themselves, it's not my business. It's different if you're working in with someone, or letting them work in, and you get into an actual conversation with them and learn what they're trying to achieve, then you can give pointers. Maybe they think they're doing the exercise properly but they have never filmed themselves from the side, and don't realise they're half-assing it. But just pointing and laughing at a guy doing a machine exercise because it SEEMS pointless, that's retarded.

[@J.Garner88]

It was me. I apologize.

[@jonlanier_]

I have a complete left knee replacement. I'm not permitted by Dr's orders to put a heavy load on the knee that goes beyond 45 degrees. Thus, this has been my go to leg strengthening device. I am well aware that it is not a squat! But at least I'm moving weight, I know I'm not catching the full range of my leg muscles... but Im limited because to the knee replacement... but at least I'm moving the weight. I usually do 4-5 sets pyramiding. 550lbs x 12, 640lbs x 10, 730lbs x 8, 820 x 6 and then 910 x4-5. I feel fairly safe doing this type of workout at the age of 54. I'm not athlete... I'm just the general public.

[@hillelhalevi]

I have hip problems and have trouble with the squat and I've switched to the leg press and don't have issues anymore. The squat is ideal and I loved doing it, but I just can't do it anymore.

[@Wingsfan7]

Useful advice Rip, thank you. I plan on opening my own athletic facility later on, and this is really important if looking to help clients of a less-than-athletic backgrounds. Thanks.

[@robbstark5177]

I hope you're succeeded in this endeavor.

[@clementaugustine6493]

Sir Mark Rippetoe is a Great Man,who gives out all Muscle Building Secrets,Thank you Sir..

[@TheYoyozo]

This is a great video and gives me a path to improve my ability to squat.

[@startingstrength]

We're glad you like it.

[@PantheraOnca60]

On a leg press machine with a typical 45° angle you're only lifting 70 percent of the weight you think you'rs lifting -- that's just physics. Having said that, having had recent shoulder surgery I'm using a leg press machine to get some strength back in my legs until I can shoulder a heavy bar again.

[@danski6694]

My shoulders are and were shot also - have you tried a front squat? Believe it or not on the smith machine they are great for really blasting the quads

[@eyalmolchansky]

shelly stops rip: "is that 10? ok then..."

[@jeremiahjohnson3119]

I like this guy

[@johne3999]

Me too but he is a bit opinionated. The leg press isn't just for beginners. More advanced people use them too. Of course the squat is superior, but the leg press is also a good tool to use for building strong legs. I use it as an "accessory" to squats.

[@lucavinnied.502]

John e mark likes barbells. that’s about it

[@koleary1798]

This era Rip was fucking great. Not saying that the general state of affairs over the past few years hasn't been tumbling from one fucked up state to another, but it's a pity he had to fixate on them as much as he has.

[@jahreigns888]

I just realized that you are in Wichita Falls. I graduated from Hirschi while my father was assigned at Shepherd. First started lifting at the base gym. Plenty of older guys taught me how to lift there.

[@ReliefbyRachel]

Oh the nostalgia! My first leg press!!

The only person whose accent matches a 100 percent with otomatical subtitles

[@spacemonkey666]

Hakkaten ha

[@TedMan55]

automatic subtitles have come a long way since they were first implemented around 10 years ago. at that time they couldn’t get anything right

[@Insanetraining16]

Selam ağırsağlam yüksel

[@CankleCankle]

Hiyup drahve

[@Johnthetripper]

I started with squats (full motion), but find that the leg press is good for working out the wrinkles between squat sessions (if I get a bit tight or have any aches). It has also helped with my squat stamina. I'm 52, started training 4 months ago and can 5 rep 100kg, (and hold form) I'm pretty happy with that. I slavishly follow Rips instructions....thanks Rip.

[@chrisrodriguez4139]

Congrats on your squat poundages, that’s awesome. I would say however that if you are doing leg presses between squat sessions then you are definitely not following Rips instructions and taking away from you ability to progress in the squat. I am not trying to be condescending. Check in the book and you’ll see that adding an exercise like that is going to take away from your rest, therefore take away from your recovery which will handicap your ability to grow in strength and size.

[@geoffreyfaltot1006]

The guy at the Christmas party that you don't want to have small talk with because he'll always be right and has an opinion on everything

[@mariolp2999]

it's not a useless piece of equipment, as well as the hack squat. Both of them can be used for hypertrophy and muscle strength, in addition to squats.

[@heat4yoass]

Don't ever fucking question Rip.

[@layyah0905]

@@heat4yoass Dorian Yates?

[@derrickhobbs8842]

@@layyah0905 Massive amounts of steroids..yes.

[@chilldoc9638]

@@heat4yoassuse your own head

[@fascinatedbyeverything]

FYI - The sleds on most commercial machines weigh considerably more than 45 lbs, so be careful. The one at my gym (made by Matrix) weights 167 lbs!

[@Sharkenite]

I cant back squat so I am Zercher squattiny but I hit a platueu for 2 months and its been hard to increase the weightt. I've implemented leg presses to see if it will help. Edit: I now back squat comfortably 3 times a week now, and love it!

[@chaseo4557]

I do leg presses after I squat

[@lorini11]

Thank God for mr. Rippetoe

[@joshbooker7055]

Great video for gym owners.

[@MLDRBRY]

Leg press is great but you have to be careful. I started off only doing leg press/curl machines for my legs, and can press about 300 pounds, but i just recently started squatting, and i feel a BURN just doing 135lbs for 5 reps. The leg press doesnt work those essential stabilizers that the squat does

[@rajinfootonchuriquen]

Micah L thats what always rip says

[@lIlIllIlIllIlllIllIIIIIIIIIlII]

Micah L dude that's baby weight 300 leg press

[@Angle1Of2Darkness]

Well hes obviously a novice, you were like that once to..

[@LarsRyeJeppesen]

Leg press and curl are very very dangerous exercises.. careful

[@bbrockRailFan]

Useless Powerlifting mentality.

[@gilllie666]

I would begin a weak individual w/ box squats at increasingly lower heights along with bridges and staggered stance box squats (to emphasise unilateral strength), before moving on to body weight squats, etc etc

[@PearsAreOkay]

Thank you. Where is your gym located?

[@sydneybird116]

But at 1:30, that is exactly what Rip says doesn't work. Full range of motion from the start.

[@dogsmumm]

The leg press in my gym is always loaded with 90# plates. The "kids" never unload it, and I can't unload it, so I can't use it. I've had two hip replacements and a shoulder surgery. I'm just getting back in the gym after decades and can't squat down. This will be helpful. I'm going in Monday morning to insist they leave it so that I can use it. Thanks Rip.

[@Johnthetripper]

That's just bad manners (not packing up when their done). Yep I'd be asking the gym to get it sorted.

[@linoazzurro]

dogsmumm Can't stand when people walk away from a machine without unloading their weights. I sometimes call them back but that gets irritating.

[@Cris18Martinez]

just ask someone Im sure they would help you..

[@Kane6676]

I finally got to where I can squat ( low bar) thanks to Mark videos. But let press? No way. All I get from a leg press is lower back and knee pain

[@CankleCankle]

Your hamstrings are weak

[@anissueofursincerity]

Squatting range of motion can be helps by box squatting different heights. I sometimes do this by using a bench.

[@sydneybird116]

At 1:30, Rip said partials (partial squats like sit squats at progressively lower seating positions as training progresses) don't work. You need the leg press to get full range of motion from the very beginning of training.

[@ethancntower8850]

if you have lower back issues the leg press is a good way to strengthen your legs without involving your back.

[@melo15813]

im dealing with a hip flexor issue from squatting, so im gonna leg press until it feels better

[@delciemcwhoopie]

I see nothing wrong with using the leg press as an assistance exercise, LB issues or not. Squats require strong glutes & quads, and the leg press can help build your glutes & quads.

[@jackcarter6629]

Using bodyweight and higher on a leg press will effect lower back if form is incorrect. Weight less than bodyweight is pointless.

[@Waterjug8219]

itll make it worse

[@Vaginaattori]

Try behind the back deadlifts aka the original hack squat.

[@hunterdutkiewicz2993]

I like using the leg press (after squatting) because there's hamstring activation which is basically nonexistent in the squat.

[@your-mom-irl]

just DL

[@hunterdutkiewicz2993]

@@your-mom-irl I do, but I don't like Deadlifts and Squats on the same day.

[@sydneybird116]

@@hunterdutkiewicz2993 why not? That is the foundation of Starting Strength Novice program. Squat, then bench press or overhead press, then deadlift, and done.

[@1ChristopherCampbell]

"i maxed my 87 year old mother 85 on the leg press lol"

[@judgeholden6761]

I decided to show my 68 year old overweight grandmother how to squat....she can't do weights but she can do body weight squats ASS TO GRASS for sets of 5 to 8. Are there people who seriously can't squat because of strength and not mobility which can stop even young athletic men? How do they....get up from chairs?

[@gur262]

I can only squat with feet 45degree outwards or weight in hands in front or I fall over. Given that. Squats are nothing against leg press. I guess I should try squats with weights. But. You know. Sooooo many videos of people getting injured.

[@CankleCankle]

Some folks never accessed anything remotely close to a squat in growing up. As adults, their body has become very rigid and their joints just don’t allow them any mobility. It’s a lot more common than you think. Some folks just never prioritized any exercise at all. So it’s literally harder to train that type of adult than a child because you have to work in reverse to open up to those positions.

[@fightington]

great video!!!!!!

[@ballelort87]

Luckily it doesn't have movement in the sagital plane, right babe?

[@jrgen9645]

imagine a video about the hack squat machine

[@leoverran311]

At 64 years old I’m squatting nothing. That boat anchor is a great tool for me

[@ItsRaitisLV]

Guys with longer legs definitely appreciate the leg press

[@gilllie666]

I begin my detrained patients on a Pilates reformer sometimes if they’re quite weak along with isolation exercises with the goal of getting them to squat or use stairs with good technique

[@BryonLape]

Rip looks 20 years younger here

[@wileecoyote5749]

Well it's a 20 year old video

[@albyshinyfield8841]

Bulgarian barbell is good and goblet for raising chest

[@BryonLape]

What became of Shelly?

[@AaronBohlman]

You've seen the video with Brett McKay where Rip pulls scapula out of his back pocket? Well...

[@staciaanngray797]

They are also good if you don't have the ROM in your shoulders to hold a squat bar. That was me for many years. The "gym trainers" tried and tried different bar positions and they were just too painful. I finally found an online program that worked the entire body and I was able to increase my ROM in my injured shoulder to start doing squats. So this is training wheels for squats? Some of the guys in my gym need to know that. They load it up with 45s and you never see them on the squat rack.

[@USpatriot741776]

Did they have you try an Safety Bar Squat?

[@michaelmorris9546]

I have the same problem with the shoulder pain. Squats are excruciating for may shoulders, long before they work my legs. The leg press (even though it is "boat anchor") allows me to work all the muscles I would be working with a squat, without shoulder pain. And my gym doesn't have a Safety Bar, so that isn't an option.

[@judgeholden6761]

Try doing shoulder dislocations with a bar if you can. They are the holy grail of cuff impingement...... I love those "men" too....every gym needs 1 token old guy who spends all day naked in the locker room and a few dozen "Don Quiotis" with adorable attempts at being ostentatious.

[@CankleCankle]

@@judgeholden6761old naked guys in the locker room with one foot up on the bench talking about dishonest politicians is just part of going to the gym

[@livestrongforever]

i really see eye to eye with you great content

[@Terminxman]

As an intermediate, I recently started doing leg press again (last time was when I first started "exercising" and didn't know how to squat) just to get more work in than 3x5 squats, after only like 3 weeks my fucking knees are hurting. Not doing that shit anymore.

[@olle6343]

Hi Mark Rippetoe, what do you do if your hip mobility doesn’t allow you to go all the way down using this leg press machine? I just started doing this but couldn’t bring the sled all the way down. Thanks for the video.

[@toolate6971]

LOL, The intro describes me exactly.

[@robertedson2374]

Reminds me of all those videos of know it alls telling you leg extensions are useless!!

[@RawFitChris]

Of course. Leg Press has always been TRAINING WHEELS for the barbell squat.

[@crush5454]

I’m 40 year old male out of shape and Detrained about 5’7” 240lbs. I can do 3x10 at 450lbs on the leg press machine and I don’t lift or train at all mostly because I’m lacking mobility to squat. How does the leg press machine fix mobility?

[@connorw360]

What about getting the people who can't squat low, to do stretches? But I forgot, Mark is against stretching of any form....

[@Whatupplaya]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4eQm4Sji7p4jc0

[@heveyweightheveyweight5399]

Legg press is for deadlift accessories if you use right foot work ole markcus

[@ComradeQuestion42069]

So I'm to the point that I'm so de-conditioned and weak that I can't barbell squat and even bodyweight squats are difficult. I plan to begin Starting Strength this week, but begin with the leg press instead of the squat as you prescribed in this video. I'm curious why you prescribe 3 sets of 10 for the leg press rather than the 3 sets of 5 like you prescribe for the squat.

[@DRAKE5001]

to be honest .. I use the leg press for unilateral training to failure, and I find really helpful how I can control my lower back when I do one leg at the time

[@onurbole7921]

I like to do only the bottom quarter of the squat, from ATG to 10 degrees below parallel, I only come all the way up on the last rep. Is that okay?

[@heithheithinson2495]

Onur Böle no.

[@Ravage017]

what the fuck is the point of that

[@SnowHawkX]

If you are able to do full range of motion, then why the fuck not do full range of motion all the time?

[@rhorynotmylastname7781]

I quite enjoy single-legged leg press to work on imbalances

[@OhioPrepperOne]

Stretch bands also can do the same thing, if you anchor at the top of a door you can squat, even full range of motion squat and change stretch bands as you get stronger. Much cheaper than buying a leg press or a gym membership.

[@matthewmchenry2889]

Still very easy to hurt yourself if you can't even move your bodyweight. Seriously, think about it.

[@BryonLape]

Is that knees to the outside or shoulders?

[@magnetsa]

I have zero interest in the squat. But, my favorite machine is the leg press. The squat appears to place too much stress on the knees. I stopped running about a decade ago when I first joined the gym. Previously I had played softball as a shortstop so i needed to use my knees quickly and often. But, at my current age I just wanted to take less risk with my knees. I do walk over 2 miles a day. Over the last 5 years I have gradually increased the weight on the leg press to 18 plates (810 LB) not including the 115 pounds of the leg-press itself. I don't think that is bad for an old guy despite what anyone thinks.

[@cccccc1]

Same, i am a young guy with tremendous knee pain. I have slowly built my squat and i know my hamstrings are underdeveloped which is potentially causing the pain. Leg press is certainly helping my knee pain and improving my squat. :)

[@AMan-iv2rb]

@@cccccc1 box squats are best when dealing with knee pain

[@FoundWanting970]

A proper squat executed with correct form will not hurt the knees. Mark Rippetoe has taught old ladies with double hip replacements to squat. Why can’t you?

[@jetterofletcher5682]

Mark's "Necessity for Range-Of-Motion" comments at 1:28 or so, does that general insight apply ALL the time? For example, when I see, or are partnered with, guys that insist on doing these half-curls on the preacher?

[@INSFarms]

He must read contemporary researches too.

[@BearusAurelius]

Is it fair to say that the leg press has a place as a supplemental exercise to the squat? For example, in my current program I am doing 4 sets of heavy squats (superset with light barbell lunges) followed by 4 sets of heavy leg presses (superset with light single leg press). Doing the heavy leg press after squats allows me to further stress my quads.

[@Ravage017]

yes that's fair to say

[@supimsatan]

I only legged pressed the last 2 years, before that i used to squat and stopped because of an injury, now last week i tried to squat again and i managed to do 315 for 5 rep ATG, so i gues it does have carry over.

[@sswpp8908]

Mark isn't claiming that there is no carry over. In fact, his argument in favor of starting untrained people with the leg press is based on the fact that there IS carry over from the leg press to the squat. His point that the leg press is useless for intermediate and advanced athletes is that a lifter training to squat heavy weight should be squatting heavy weight.

[@supimsatan]

Yeah, that's what im saying aswell, i wanted to point out that what mark said indeed worked for me, maybe i said it a bit wrong but o well.

[@michaelmorris9546]

I'm still not getting why he thinks it is "useless" for intermediate or advanced athletes. If it is working the same muscles, then it is working the same muscles. Put enough weight on the leg press, use full range of motion, and you're getting the workout.

[@supimsatan]

Ye, that's what im thinking aswell.. Also makes me think if my legs would be any bigger if i did only squat to 315 for 5 reps compared to getting the amount of weight i leggpressed to reach 315 for 5.. on the squat while not squatingfor 2 years..

[@veritaslibertas2889]

Michael Morris Your reasoning is correct, if there's strength building carryover from the leg press for novice lifters the same principle applies to every other category of lifters as well. Even if he made the more specific statement of it being useless for intermediate and advanced competitive powerlifters, he'd still be wrong because there are examples of both groups using the leg press in their training to good effect, otherwise they wouldn't be using it, obviously no one is suggesting that competitive powerlifters could simply replace their squat training with leg press training and have success on the platform on the day of the meet, this is a strawman argument put out there by those with the same powerlifting is superior to bodybuilding bias that Mr. Rippetoe and a large segment of the powerlifting community whether competitive or recreational have towards any strength athletes that simply choose not to do squats or deadlifts as part of their strength and muscle building regimens. There's more to training than simply putting up ever increasing poundages on three barbell lifts, some people actually want to improve their appearance as well and that makes the leg press a valuable tool to many strength athletes as an alternative lift to build strength and size. Maybe Mr. Rippetoe can inform Ronnie Coleman about how useless his two thousand pound leg presses were, the problem is he also squatted eight hundred, or perhaps he needs to tell Dorian Yates that the leg press is useless since it was the staple movement he did for thighs for years, it didn't seem to hurt his strength and size development, and unlike Mr. Rippetoe both of those guys actually looked like they lifted. What Mr Rippetoe needs to wrap his mind around is that there are very few absolutes in the world of strength athletics, so being overly dogmatic about lifting particulars is infinitely more useless than the leg press.

[@championchuck777]

It’s a “boat anchor” lol

[@acidrain55]

interesting video. but arn't you not meant to "lock out".

[@thecastle09]

crucial to strengthen the inner thighs. seriously...

[@HenchPig]

My cousin has cerebral palsy in his legsand he's been training for a couple months. Have had to make a lot of adjustments as he cannot squat or doing standing overhead press. Is the leg press suitable for him or is there anything else you reccomend?

[@smilsmff]

Body Builders use that only

[@erikmielke9008]

I think the hack squat machine has a better range and is more comfortable and safer than the leg press.

[@cooldude70-13]

I thought these were bad for your knees. Right or wrong? Maybe not the worst thing though if it's only temporary?

[@CankleCankle]

No, it’s like people saying deadlifts are bad for your back. If you don’t train and then try to do these exercises then you might get some local inflammation and/or pain, but that’s how you get those body parts stronger. You get sore from working out, that’s how it is.

[@connorw360]

Squat deadlifts front squats lunges stiff legs snatch grip deadlifts do all them first before u do leg press

[@3nder93]

I'm in a strange spot, I'm 190cm (6'3'') and I weigh 120kg (264.5lbs) I know I'm overweight and the lifting is helping get that fat off. I can squat 100kg (225lbs) on a good day (I'm still a novice, very new to all of this) but I know I can't do 3 sets of 10 at 120kg on a leg press, should I incorporate it into my leg day until I can do those 3 sets of 10?

[@startingstrength]

If you can squat to depth, there's no reason to use a leg press at all.

[@3nder93]

Thanks, love the channel.

[@osigma-5713]

5 years later (LOL), but for those reading this comment:- If you spend like, two weeks or something doing leg presses, you will quickly be able to lift perhaps double. triple or even quadruple your max 1 RM squat for reps. You are simply:- 1-Not conditioned enough. Especially if you are not used to higher reps. 2-You are simply not accustomed to movement patterns of this thing. There is a skill to be learned as well. Also note that 500kg on a 45 degree leg press is not the same as 500kg on another 45 degree leg press. The angle of inclinations makes a huge difference, but even for leg presses with the same angle, the friction can differ too. So can the weight of the carry, so can the position it puts you in. Etc, etc.

[@connorw360]

Watched a few of this guys videos, excellent info and straight to the point. Although he needs to lighting up a bit and stop making everything sound so serious and laugh abit.

[@Justmylukc]

should she be locking her knees ?

[@mike584]

No. You want to keep the quads contracted and you lose that if the knees are locked. Remember that this is more of a muscle builder than a strength builder, like the squat.

[@TheSchranzeule]

Show me a prove of this, please. Muscles are contracted, if the joint is locked....

[@michaelmorris9546]

The locked knees actually relieve tension on the quads holding weight up at the top position, at least to an extent. Not to mention that there are some pretty ugly videos showing what 'could" happen when locking the knees...painful just to watch. #mike584: How is this a "muscle builder but not a strength builder"...that doesn't make much sense to me.

[@TheSchranzeule]

Well somehow my later answer to this has been deleted. I conceded, that the leg press is kind of an exception since there are "diagonal" forces at work, which could be separated into vertical and horizontal forces (mechanics). And the vertical force is the problem here that leads some knees to break... So on the leg press you should actually not lock your knees under heavy load.

[@undergroundcactus]

Certainly not with heavy weight but she was only doing 45 pounds for a demonstration so that, I'm hoping anyways, wouldn't be how she actually works out with heavy weights. Also she may have not used a leg press in a loooong time, she looks athletic and so, as the gym advises intermediate and advance lifters, she's probably used to squatting with a barbell in a squat rack.

[@chadwiley6917]

I would like to agree with you but I was in a research study for a year. They hand all the machines. Including a leg press. I weight 240lbs and could squat 450lbs 6 to 8 times by the end of the study. I was extremely fatigued after doing it. Unfortunately I still can't do a dam squat. It's like a foreign language. Everyone that can do it thinks it's weird or I'm not doing something. Still do leg press but am working on dead lefts and assisted squats at this time. Hopefully that will cure it.

[@jamessarvan7692]

This is a little bit dogmatic in my opinion. Some people can't really squat heavy because of some health problems. For example, I have a scoliosis and then the squat is not a good idea for me. I can still do the deadlift though and I am fairly strong at it, so I would still say my overall body power is pretty decent.

[@judgeholden6761]

Just taught my 6 3 153 lbs friend with severe scoliosis how to squat. Do high bar properly and you can just drop the bar at any time and stop and ask someone in sports Medicine if you get back pain.....regular doctors say retarded ass shit about lifting.

[@judgeholden6761]

And he's not wrong. Leg press is objectively inferior to leg press to the extent that it's only purpose is for people who are cripples or don't have the will to squat. DL is different muscles and you can be greaaaat at it and have very feeble legs. Once upon a time I could do 500 but not even rep out 225 on squat.

[@vitovtwik]

Try dumbbell case squats

[@vteam02]

Did you go to a competent sports medicine doctor? I have scoliosis too, both doctors I went to told me deadlifts and squats are the best thing I can do for my back. Look at Lamar Gant, holds unbeaten world record deadlifts in two weight classes and has severe scoliosis.

[@AnabolicFarmer]

Don't bother with the comments because they're all stupid and won't help anyone. Squat is only mandatory for cross-fit, powerlifting and OL. Not for building legs. If you have long torso your back will give up before your legs - Won't happen with legpress. Depending on your "type" of scoliosis you could end up with a spinal fusion(wrecked discs) - Won't happen with legpress. Train with your head and don't let gymrats hold you back. Lyle McDonald wrote a piece about it 10 years ago - bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/squat-versus-leg-press-for-big-legs.html/

[@duanewolfe2321]

I disagree with the leg press period. I'm 51 and started 2 months ago starting squatting with only the bar. I remember when 75lbs seemed difficult. With continued stress, rest, and adaptation, I am right at 200lbs currently. I have 45lbs to go until I reach my body weight. So.....not sure why this machine is even in topic

[@kqh123]

An 80 year old, for example, probably cannot do a full body weight squat on day 1

[@Eplemos4Life]

Put your feet lower to get better quad activation

[@chrisrodriguez4139]

Watch his other videos on how to squat and you’ll understand why the feet are high. It’s not for “quad” activation, it’s to mimick the range of motion and the muscles used in the squat. The hamstrings and the glutes are the larger amounts of muscle mass and therefore able to gain more strength, that is why the feet are not placed for “quad” activation. You also increase risk of knee injury if you place feet low without correct foot position, which many people do not do

[@Eplemos4Life]

@@chrisrodriguez4139 You get injuries if you do dumb shit like using too much weight, or do too much volume too fast. If you wanna build hams do deadlift variaions, leg curls and back extensions. Glutes - hipthrust, lunges, deep squats, deep sumo dls Wanna get better in the RipToe powerlifter squat, just do the squat.

[@chrisrodriguez4139]

Ze TheGame the purpose for it is strength not hypertrophy. Every power lifter cycles hypertrophy and strength training. The explanation is for the direct question about foot placement.

[@chrisrodriguez4139]

HeyNowww you are comparing apples and oranges. It’s not about hypertrophy or muscle growth...it’s purely about strength. If you want hypertrophy, then yes a variation like you are prescribing is better for hypertrophy and volume. Bodybuilders cycle bulking and cutting phases just like powerlifters and strength trainers cycle strength/power and hypertrophy training.

[@mysterymanforu]

The real way to make money is getting people to sign up but never show up.

[@joshbenton810]

I'm like 150 something pounds, and barbells are really painful on my shoulders/back with any weight on them so I use the leg press for leg strength(I can press 180 kilograms/about 390-400 pounds) for a couple reps, 120 kilos is my main rep weight

[@tjasdead]

theres always a problem...

[@binglebangle230]

Implying the legpress is only for people who cant do a squat

[@DJbishop666]

Rippetoe: "This is useless for advanced training" 6x Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates: "Hold my beer"

[@Amish_Avenger]

Bodybuilders are not athletes

[@doffehalls7238]

cool dude this Mark :) cant you move to sweden and open a gym there , we got no any good strength gym there ;( We only have the fancy gym'`s and are so fucking useless for powerlifting.

[@johanhansson4574]

O man time to buy a new leg press.....i would walk out the door.

[@dumaland5701]

No hip thrave = sad boi

[@zachary_burrows]

Mark's beer belly is just wildly distracting given his reputation

[@mynameisnobody3931]

Machines was actually invented for rehabilitation ........

[@kqh123]

was?

[@mynameisnobody3931]

@K QH yes was. They was invented. They can only be invented once. Now they're not invented anymore, now they just are. Do you understand words ?

[@hushai5154]

Nothing tops the squat, but leg presses done with maximal intensity in the higher reps range are brutal. I don't think thier is a top bodybuilder in the world who doesn't incorporate them in his training.

[@richardhutcheson9730]

Mark thinks the leg press machine is for sissies, but the world's strongest man uses one in his personal gym kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZbak2Oed9ajotk

[@kemptonbryan]

He’s a lot less pink here

[@cannabulous8015]

Lol 😂

[@ADAPTATION7]

He's always telling us that he can't do the f..ing exercise without extensive warmup. What does that tell you?

[@cooldude70-13]

Stiff joints

[@Alex55455]

Such a dogmatic view, intermediate and advanced can (notice the word can and not must) use the Leg Press and will make them stronger/bigger as long as the movement is done properly with full range of motion and progressive overload is applied. The squat is not a must do exercise with the exception of powerlifters who must do low bar back squats at some point. When selecting exercises there are so many nuances to take into consideration that there are no must do exercises just exercises best for the individual to help achieve whatever their goals are.

[@ernestjhutchinson]

I know that Mr. Rippetoe knows his stuff and respect his knowledge but I have to question this approach. Why not start with body weight moves, then move up to dumbbells, then move onto the bar. With assistance moves along the way like RDL's, hypertensions and so forth. I'm a beginner and having just moved to the bar that is what worked for me. I get the idea of using this or any machine for beginners being that they are "easier" to use or less intimidating but why prioritize something in the beginning that you even say is useless?

[@ernestjhutchinson]

***** thanks, I suppose makes sense when you put it that way, I was pretty weak when I started but I could do a body weight squat

[@Dean90125]

True. I use to be one of these people. Took me ages to actually do a body weight squat correctly. Leg presses served their purpose during that process.

[@alrbredwall]

He very specifically stated in the beginning that it is for people who, with their own body weight, are unable to achieve depth in the squat.

[@ffryan]

Rip has a bad habit of saying things are useless when they are not. Every Mr Olympia in the history of bodybuilding would tell you that they rely more on the leg press than the squat for their success. So it is obviously not useless. Rip needs to qualify what he says it is useless for, which I believe is his meaning. Yes, the leg press is pretty useless for a performance or strength athlete.

[@AMan-iv2rb]

Steroids

[@FoundWanting970]

@@AMan-iv2rb Don’t forget that bodybuilding isn’t about even a sport or about strength.