Leg Press vs Squats

[Tom Yum]

Which one is the best excercise in terms of working the most leg muscles and building leg strength?

Squats seem to require more middle back strength to stabilize the bar on the way up, but you can use more weight on the leg press.

[guy incognito]

I would say in terms of protecting your back id go the leg press.

[Thai Bri]

Comparing which exercise allows most weight is not a good guide to strength training potential. On a machine set up none of your stabilising muscles are needed, so everything pushes the weight along the pathway set by the machine. So you can lift more weight because the exercise is easier.

But the stabilising muscles actually stabilising? That's a different thing. That's much harder to do, hence less weight can be handled. But it's doing you msot good, as it is more akin to performing a real task in the real world..... unless you actually live inside a weight training machine.

Alot depends on why you want to exercise the legs. Is it for functional strength that could carry over into some kind of physical activity? If so, then do the Squat. It is a safe exercise as long as you do it properly with either spotters or spotting equipment.

[Szczepankiewicz]

I agree with Commander Nipplesworth.

Squats are king baby. Lunges are pretty damned difficult as well. Both provide for a good, overall, lower body workout.

The Leg Sled is for pretty boys who are afraid to work their legs.

[Tom Yum]

The Leg Sled is for pretty boys who are afraid to work their legs.

i'm just a perty boy afraid to work his legs......hehehehhe. The real issue is which one is safer to do without a spotter.

[Thai Bri]

No spotter or equipment to spot?

Leg press.

[Szczepankiewicz]

No spotter? Then don't use weights.

I've been under 900 or more lbs on a leg sled. If you are too weak (i.e. burnt out) and don't have a good quality sled, you need a spotter.

You can get good results with bodyweight squats and lunges.

It takes longer and is more painful. But that's good for you.

I'd much rather do 3-4 sets of 10 with weight than 4x25 without...

[John_M]

-squats for sure that way you know your improving your balance

[grubbogoppoly]

Squats. Just don't go to complete failure(you shouldn't be anyways). It IS a much superior exercise.