Quick primer, 42 y/o been lifting since i was 16 or 17. I never understood why people tend to hate leg day, i loved leg day, for years i would be excited abt it. Generally kept it really simple too, core of the workout was heavy squats, walking lunges and deads (i know some advocate deads on back day). For a long time i had some pretty well developed legs.
However, the last several years i have really been struggling with issues with my low back (and my right knee, but its my back that fucks me). I have to be careful even putting socks on coz i can throw my back out doing that.
I just can't consistently do squats anymore. I even did like a "total reset" where i just did lower weight squats for higher volume being super strict on form (and a real, deep squat) thinking this might strengthen whatever the fuck goes out in my back, worked my way back up but it didn't help. I can have a day feeling totally good/strong, do a good amount of warm-ups and be several sets in, feeling good, and bam! My back goes.
I added a leg press to my home gym but it just pales in comparison to squats. I can do 500lbs presses 10 sets of 20 reps and it doesn't seem to do anything compared to like 4-5 sets of squats w 315lbs for 10-12 reps.
I can still do walking lunges but deads are generally out of my rotation for same reason as squats.
Anyone able to build decent wheels w/o squats?
Sorry for the long post, didn't want to just pose my question then people be like "bitch do squats"
*most of my 45s are bumper plates so 500lbs is the most i can put on the leg press unless i buy more metal plates
*and when i say my back goes out, i can barely walk, cant stand up straight, hurts like hell, total motherfucker
However, the last several years i have really been struggling with issues with my low back (and my right knee, but its my back that fucks me). I have to be careful even putting socks on coz i can throw my back out doing that.
I just can't consistently do squats anymore. I even did like a "total reset" where i just did lower weight squats for higher volume being super strict on form (and a real, deep squat) thinking this might strengthen whatever the fuck goes out in my back, worked my way back up but it didn't help. I can have a day feeling totally good/strong, do a good amount of warm-ups and be several sets in, feeling good, and bam! My back goes.
I added a leg press to my home gym but it just pales in comparison to squats. I can do 500lbs presses 10 sets of 20 reps and it doesn't seem to do anything compared to like 4-5 sets of squats w 315lbs for 10-12 reps.
I can still do walking lunges but deads are generally out of my rotation for same reason as squats.
Anyone able to build decent wheels w/o squats?
Sorry for the long post, didn't want to just pose my question then people be like "bitch do squats"
*most of my 45s are bumper plates so 500lbs is the most i can put on the leg press unless i buy more metal plates
*and when i say my back goes out, i can barely walk, cant stand up straight, hurts like hell, total motherfucker