This evening I decided to do some leg-presses instead of squats as I have been suffering from a crick in my neck all week (went to bed fine on Monday - woke up Tuesday and my neck hurt like hell, couldn't move my head without pain. How does that happen?).
Anyway, I haven't leg-pressed since May so I was a little unsure how I would get on. Last time I did them for 5RMs I was using 500lbs. I worked up to 500lbs and did 10 reps! Easy! Kept on adding weight and performing sets until I reached 7x45lbs + 25lbs each side (680lbs). I did 5 reps with another rep or two still in the tank. Could have done 700lbs if I hadn't done so many blasted sets getting there.
Observation: Compared to Oly squatting these things were a piece of cake - the ROM seemed much reduced. After I had finished a heavy set I recovered about twice as quickly, if not sooner. I felt more strain on my quads and less everywhere else. Afterwards, I noticed a strain type sensation at the base of each patella. I have never had this with deep squats.
That's it really. It's just nice to know that my squatting improvements have translated rather well to leg-pressing - I haven't done any other leg exercises other than squats, SLDLs and deads since May.
Since May my squat has gone from 295 to 315lbs (only 7% load improvement but big form factor change - parallel to full Oly squats)
Leg-press from 500 to 680lbs - 36% improvement.
Anyway, I haven't leg-pressed since May so I was a little unsure how I would get on. Last time I did them for 5RMs I was using 500lbs. I worked up to 500lbs and did 10 reps! Easy! Kept on adding weight and performing sets until I reached 7x45lbs + 25lbs each side (680lbs). I did 5 reps with another rep or two still in the tank. Could have done 700lbs if I hadn't done so many blasted sets getting there.
Observation: Compared to Oly squatting these things were a piece of cake - the ROM seemed much reduced. After I had finished a heavy set I recovered about twice as quickly, if not sooner. I felt more strain on my quads and less everywhere else. Afterwards, I noticed a strain type sensation at the base of each patella. I have never had this with deep squats.
That's it really. It's just nice to know that my squatting improvements have translated rather well to leg-pressing - I haven't done any other leg exercises other than squats, SLDLs and deads since May.
Since May my squat has gone from 295 to 315lbs (only 7% load improvement but big form factor change - parallel to full Oly squats)
Leg-press from 500 to 680lbs - 36% improvement.
