How effective is leg press for sprinting? If squats can’t be done it is worth while, but what about leg press considered for under its own merit?
Here is a study for reference:
Escamilla RF, Fleisig GS, Zheng N, Lander JE, Barrentine SW, Andrews, Bergemann
BW, Moorman CT. Effects of technique variations on knee biomechanics during
the squat and leg press. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 33(9) : 1552-
1566,2001.
CF would avoid leg press and do reverse leg press instead
I would go with squats instead
More range of motion
More core and spine stabilization
Apparently leg press is Patrick Johnson’s main leg lift.
I think that depending on the athlete and the structure of the programme, leg press coud be employed at some point - particularly when introducing athletes to heavier weights.
Leg presses are absolutely useless for a sprinter. It should only be done by bodybuilders who want to get a good pump in their legs. It is also an exercise for posers, wannabes and pretenders who would like to give the impression of being strong (like the quarter squatters) by doing limited range reps and screaming out in agony with each one. Leg presses are also harmful to the spine when done heavy due to the shear forces created. Bottom line, give the leg press a wide berth, leave your ego at the door and head for the squat rack. That’s where serious leg strength is made!
Ditto
Originally posted by Neospeed
Leg presses are absolutely useless for a sprinter. It should only be done by bodybuilders who want to get a good pump in their legs. It is also an exercise for posers, wannabes and pretenders who would like to give the impression of being strong (like the quarter squatters) by doing limited range reps and screaming out in agony with each one.
I disagree that the leg press is entirely useless. There is a fair number of athletes whose lower back strength significantly exceeds their quadriceps strength. Such athletes usually have much better deadlifts than squats, and often squat heavy weights butt-first: that is, from the bottom position first lifting their butts while the weight remains relatively steady, and then getting the weight up in a straight-legged good-morning.
Such athletes would benefit greatly from adding leg-presses to their training program, as squats tend to exarcebate their pre-existing imbalances.
is there any way of doing a reverse leg press without actually having the machine in the gym?
anyone read this yet
http://www.wepinet.com/a1-olympic-story-part03-valerie-elly.htm
snelkracht: Front squats are a better option since they limit hip flexion
Leg Press are a useful tool, for beginners and certain athletes. I use it for conditioning purpose in the GPP and other times as a once off.
They are not great for athletic performance. I would say they are better than nothing.
Originally posted by David W
snelkracht: Front squats are a better option since they limit hip flexion
I agree that front squats are useful in this instance; however almost all athletes I know or have trained (few of whom are elite) front squat much less than they back squat, due to a number of reasons varying from discomfort to an inability to cope with the relatively upright torso the front squat requires.
I am not sugesting the leg press become a staple of any program; it does however have its uses, in my opinion.
dcw23 writes:
Apparently leg press is Patrick Johnson’s main leg lift.
I may get some slack for this, but Patrick’s coach is pretty clueless when it comes to sprint training. It’s taken him all this time to get Patrick running this fast. A better coach would have had him running the times he’s running now 4 years ago and without all the injuries. He might have degrees in physiotherapy and exercise physiology, but it takes more than that to be a great sprint coach.
“There is a fair number of athletes whose lower back strength significantly exceeds their quadriceps strength. Such athletes usually have much better deadlifts than squats, and often squat heavy weights butt-first: that is, from the bottom position first lifting their butts while the weight remains relatively steady, and then getting the weight up in a straight-legged good-morning.”
An athlete squatting as such is squatting too heavy! Why not cut back the weight, focus on technique, and allow for relative quad strength to catch-up?
Originally posted by gf_200
“There is a fair number of athletes whose lower back strength significantly exceeds their quadriceps strength. Such athletes usually have much better deadlifts than squats, and often squat heavy weights butt-first: that is, from the bottom position first lifting their butts while the weight remains relatively steady, and then getting the weight up in a straight-legged good-morning.”An athlete squatting as such is squatting too heavy! Why not cut back the weight, focus on technique, and allow for relative quad strength to catch-up?
Because the problem is not that the lower back is too strong, but that the quads are too weak. Squatting is, with all due respect, an auxilliary exercise and not a goal in and of itself for all athletes other than powerlifters. It is not always desirable to lower poundages in order to accomodate the weaker quads, while the lower back is capable of much heavier loads and is thus not stimulated enough. If leg presses will help improve quad strength, then by all means, do them! Why on Earth not? I share your general aversion to machine exercises, but it’s not a matter of religion.
"Because the problem is not that the lower back is too strong, but that the quads are too weak. "
So why can’t the quads be strenghtened by squatting - a far more effective excercise than the press? As I said lower the weight to a weight that the quads can handle, ensure perfect form and allow the body to develop as a unit.
Originally posted by NeospeedI may get some slack for this, but Patrick’s coach is pretty clueless when it comes to sprint training. It’s taken him all this time to get Patrick running this fast. A better coach would have had him running the times he’s running now 4 years ago and without all the injuries. He might have degrees in physiotherapy and exercise physiology, but it takes more than that to be a great sprint coach.
He must be doing something right. Don’t forget that Johnson didn’t even start athletics until he was 24 years old. I think he’s done very well.
This is his progression:
100m 1997 10.39
1998 10.43
1999 10.17
2000 10.10
2001 10.25
2003 9.88w 10.13
Injuries are always going to be a concern when the athlete starts so late. Lets hope they are behind him now.
Just out of interest DCW, how many sprint coaches do you think would have their athletes doing heavy quarter squats, heavy leg presses and 6 x 1min hip flexion and hip extensions on a hip machine both the morning of and the day before max speed work on the track?
I don’t think there would be too many. This is what Esa has Patrick doing. Additionally, how many top sprint coaches would have their athletes perform dumbbell arm swings emphasizing the forward swing?? I think Pat is performing well inspite of his training, not because of it!
Originally posted by remy
is there any way of doing a reverse leg press without actually having the machine in the gym?anyone read this yet
http://www.wepinet.com/a1-olympic-story-part03-valerie-elly.htm
I loved this one too … LOL
http://www.wepinet.com/a1-olympic-story-part02-valerie-elly.htm