Dropping Squats

J

Joe.Muscle

Active Member
Hey guys...I am going to be dropping squats for a while...due to stress on the lower back.

I am going to just do standard leg press with different machines with different angles.

I am going to concentrate on increasing the load even more than usual to make up for Machine work.

However my abs are my weak point and I have already designated 1 day a week (non training day) to train the weak points in my abs. They are looking a lot better due to this extra day.

However I was wondering how much dropping squats would effect my developement there.

I have started using movements at different angles to try and bring my core into play as much as possible.

For example on tricep pushdowns with a cable...I now take a normal stance and then take two steps back.

This angle brings the abs into play big time.

I am saying this just to give you some insight.

Whats is everyones opinion on this?

Thanks...
 
For me, I don't think squats have much effect on abs. Yes, they are a stabilizer muscle for squats, but direct ab work will do a lot more for them.

If you're worried about it, I'd say just throw in a set or two of <insert favorite ab exercise here> on a second off day. You can find an ab exercise that can be done at home and quite quickly if you need to add a bit more without having to go to the gym.
 
I would say that if you are doing squats with proper form and a decent amount of weight, by definition of proper form, it requires alot of ab involvement.

For strength development, I prefer knees raises while holding a dumbbell in between ur legs and hanging from a chin bar.
 
Leg presses won´t help your back much unless you do them PERFECTLY.
Squat is max for the core.
 
like others, it sounds to me like the abs are the problem not the squats. its just showing up in the squat b/c of the wgt and effort it takes to lift it.

weak abs (you say is your weak point) can lead to an over-reliance on the low back during exer like squat, dead, sldl and therefore make them even more brutal to do correctly yet less rewarding/productive.

im currently dealing with a similar issue so i cant give any this has worked for me advice (yet). im simply trying to strengthen my core muscles over time while still making a conscience effort to use "tight abs" and good form while doing squat etc. hopefully youll find what works for you

good luck
 
Give front squats a try. After I switched from back to front squats, I noticed my abs are sore the next day.
 
You may not realize how much you use your abs until you stop the squats. Your abs will stabalize your glutes, hips, and low back during the squat movement and you may take a trip backwards by eliminating squats or deadlifts...

Have you tried using the sledgehammer for your ab work? It really is twice as effective as any ab exercise you can do because of the compound movements involved and reliance on mid-section stability. Good Stuff!

Guys who swings sledgehammers tend to have a rock solid midsection... even those who don't weight train... give em a try.
 
The squad and deadlift are the kings of all lifts.  You cannot replace squats with anything else and get the same benefit.  If they are whomping the low back though, you've got to do what it takes to substitute the best you can.

I'd suggest for abs, you do some cable rope crunches HST style, just like any other muscle.  If you really want to help the abs and are tough enough to hack them...dragon flags. You can't do them HST style though, it's just not possible that I'm aware of.
 
<div>
(vagrant @ Dec. 26 2006,17:39)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">If you really want to help the abs and are tough enough to hack them...dragon flags.</div>
What are dragon flags? I have never heard of them. Is there somewhere on the web that explains how to do them?
 
Dragon flags - just wear ankle weights if you need to add weight. Most ankle weights can be adjusted incrementally, so you can still try to do them HST style. Personally, I just do weighted situps, crunches, etc. Dragon flags are fun though if you want to feel like a wuss.
 
I don't know....they look like they would be pretty tough to me.
rock.gif
 
Yeah, that's why I said that if you want to feel like a wuss, then do them. It is a humbling exercise.
 
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