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- Jan 23, 2014
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I always start with leg extension to warm up the knees
You make a good point by comparing the extension movement—“skull crushers to “leg extensions.” Skull crushers will put a lot of mass on the triceps but most can’t continue doing heavy weights and low reps with this exercise without wrecking their elbows.I think each have their merit. I personally would take a sissy squat rig or any sissy squat motion (awesome one was posted to YouTube by Scott Stevenson years ago on a smith machine) over leg extensions. However, once your lower back is good and locked up lol, leg extensions are a great way to eliminate any other weak links and extend sets to brutal levels.
I could definitely see how heavy extensions without a solid warmup could spell disaster, but I would say the same for any heavy extension movement, like a skull crusher.
I have to do them last when I’m warmed up or they really hurt. Dorian did them last I figured I was doing ok.Leg extensions are knee wreckers, if you go heavy. I when done with lighter loads and higher reps though they are amazing at warming up the quads and knees for a leg workout. There literally is zero reason to go heavy on these as you can overload the quads much more with hacks, as they are the definition of diminishing returns
If I recall, in Blood & Guts, he did them first.I have to do them last when I’m warmed up or they really hurt. Dorian did them last I figured I was doing ok.
On that notion of one legged movements, I’ve gotten so much out of Bulgarian split squats in recent years. The quad and glute burn is brutal!!! The video of Meadows and Evan Centopani doing the continual drop set on them made me really give them a shot. Great movement.Never have issues with the v squat , smith squat, leg extensions, horizontal leg press or linear hack squat. However, heavy regular leg presses and barbell squats cause me knee pain and sciatica pain every time. Even when going deep on squats for rep ranges of 10-12. Another option is one legged leg extensions as you can control the movement with with more focus on one leg. You won't be able to lift as much either avoiding possible strain on the regular leg ext. With one legged movements, it's important to go straight through without resting in between each. Super intense
Very true ! Bss are brutal. I use to do these and or, walking weighted lunges every leg day but due to a small micro tear in my quad, haven’t been able to do them. Weird lil injury , and never set me back much. Recovered fast but lunges have not felt good on the injured side. But you’re right, these will develop great legsOn that notion of one legged movements, I’ve gotten so much out of Bulgarian split squats in recent years. The quad and glute burn is brutal!!! The video of Meadows and Evan Centopani doing the continual drop set on them made me really give them a shot. Great movement.
Your knee is more than just a hinge joint. Lookup Connor Harris for an explanation. . It rotates as wellFrom what I understand leg extension are open chain and your limb can move freely like a dumbbell and articulate in desired path or groove. Squats or lunges with foot on floor are closed chain and force your joint in the set path by foot position and body. Each has benefit but open chain allows the joint to move in its safest arc of motion compared to being forced into a set path. Also the greater the joint's flexion the more the joint compacts. The greater the knee bends the more the patella presses into the femur.
I would strongly suggest trying out a safety squat/yoke bar. I too am a fan of front squats just for that very reason but man I tell you the SSB takes the balance and shoulder Bs out of the movement but still puts the weight out in front of you.quit doing extensions once i trained under Phil Hernon.
and due to my bone structure front squats reign supreme for my quad development.
squats r good but end up making my glutes grow as much or more than quads.
front squats seemed to take my butt out of the move more.
thanks man. cuz holy hell i hate the bar on my deltsI would strongly suggest trying out a safety squat/yoke bar. I too am a fan of front squats just for that very reason but man I tell you the SSB takes the balance and shoulder Bs out of the movement but still puts the weight out in front of you.
I was friends with him and we did extensions.quit doing extensions once i trained under Phil Hernon.
and due to my bone structure front squats reign supreme for my quad development.
squats r good but end up making my glutes grow as much or more than quads.
front squats seemed to take my butt out of the move more.
for me it was all squats. i have an abnorblly big... whatever the musle is that hangs over my knee lolI was friends with him and we did extensions.