If there were machines like that in the gyms here I would use them, but the way it is now I have to stick to free weight. these bits of John hit right in the feels. Love that you still include him
Well, he could at least mention that John attributed a lot of his gains to his time spent at Westside Barbell using chains and bands to make the alterations at the top and bottom of the lifts which Eugene suggests in this video is only possible with machines like these.
I feel like your sound was kind of low this time around but good video. The range of motion on hack squat is insane for me and I can push harder without having to worry about injury
@@coacheugeneteo Ah, I was already wondering why it sounded so muffled and quiet. I guess you already tried normalizing, but this just made the sound worse?
Uh yes you can. I have a powertec compact linear hack squat aka leg sled bought used $250, a parabody vertical leg press used $100, powertec 45 degree leg press attachment used $150, seated leg curl extension plate loaded machine used $50, along with a stair climber, pec deck plate loaded, powertec pull up assist machine, hyperextension bench , powertec lever gym , and an upright food freezer all in a 16 x13 basement room with room to move around it all.
Hot take: there should be way more cable machines in gyms. They’re the single most useful tool for isolation movements because you can change the direction of resistance. Outside of that, more t-bar row machines and seated calf machines would be great.
Im a strength coach and as a general rule of thumb I program only free weights as building muscle is generally not a top goal for the athletes I work with. However, there are some exception to this. Im currently training a young woman who wants to become a police officer. She’s quite petite, has no training history (other than dance which isn’t relevant), and is in the lower percentile of strength, even for a woman her size. So I have her going through a strength and hypertrophy period right now. Long story short, while I generally wouldn’t use machines, my intent for her is to build some mass and thus machine equipment like the leg press make up a large proportion of her workouts.
That pendulum squat is one of those machines you don't even have to try out to know how well it works, you can just see it in the movement. Personally I really like to squat/deadlift lighter weights for my first exercise, and then put in the hardest work on a good machine for legs.
I stopped doing squats a couple months back when the weight got a bit too heavy for my comfort. Having scoliosis, I don't want to have over 300lb pushing down on my spine. I just do really heavy leg press now. My legs look godly nowadays.
I'm asking myself the same question ! I have scoliosis and lifting roughly 140 pounds. The more I can lift, the more discomfort I feel in my back. I don't have that issue with leg press.
You did the right thing, squat is like bench, its a 'bro' territority, for example, its obvious that for aesthetics goals leg press will be better than squat and dumbbell press will be better than barbell bench, but the bro culture wont accept it because well its their culture and they kinda gotta deffend it, it's totally compreensible.
I have simillar problem, s curved scoliosis and even squatting 135lbs really hurts, so i usually do horizontal and traditional leg presses, unilateral work and hack squats, just don't want to risk the injury.
As an mma practitioner and currently on a cut, I found the leg press SFR to be waaaay more favorable than the squat whilst offering virtually the same benefits. Whenever I used to squat on a cut I would always feel like shit but I don't anymore using a leg press as a substitute. Great video btw!
@@genezysgoncalves5937 I meant in terms of hypertrophy. Obviously squats are more nuanced in terms of strength gains because of stabilizers but you aren't missing much by replacing them with other movements if your main goal isn't to be a powerlifter. That being said the squat and leg press are two completely different movements using two different neuromuscular patterns so obviously the weights would be different Idk what you were trying to get out of saying that you should load the same weight on the leg press
After years of following powerlifitng and "powerbuilding principles" I found this hard to relate until recently My lower back was limiting me from Squatting more, so I started using the machines again at the gym Less joint and ache pains, back hasn't hurt in months with a flare up and body is transforming Now I completely agree with this
i was worried that it might be bad for me to stop squatting to help with my back pain and substituting it for leg press. i feel more confident that i'm making the right choice
@@youngsuit it took a lot of pride for me to stop back squatting like a typical power lifter/builder Don’t get me wrong I miss squatting more plates, but the cost/benefit wasn’t there. I’m thankful I did it because I’m enjoying training again without joint pain 😬
This has Helped me so much, i always felt I was missing out because I couldn’t do squats because of injuries but I still got great results with only machines🙌🏼
before I watch I just wanna say anyone who doesn’t currently hack squat, please do so. My quads have blown up in the past few months. And if you are already hack squatting and not going to or close to failure and not utilizing a full ROM, get your shit together.
One thing I like about free weight squats vs. the rest is the ability to rotate at the hips/waist. Hack squats and leg presses lock in your upper body by design, which can put added strain on the lower back.
I use machines more when im deep in a diet and the risk of injury is great on trad barbell movements like squat and deadlift. I also use them when rehabbing injuries as I can better control how load is applied. they absolutely have their place in my training routine
I had a dual hernia surgery last year and I’m over 50. So, I’m not comfortable loading up massive weight in a free weights squat or deadlift. I’m always looking for body weight or alternative exercises. Much more comfortable doing machine presses so good to know it can be beneficial.
Hey Eugene, Just came across you channel. Been trying to find someone who can give info straight to the point without all the needless babbling. You got a sub from me. Keep it up 🙂
This is exactly ruclips.net/user/postUgkxUHHotQRjIQnfuxEeVotlkHVYWH0DXZoS what I needed to get some exercise while I'm stuck at my desk all day. It's just the right size. Only downsides are that the right oeddale unscrews itself while I use it and increasing the tension causes it to squeak while in use. Both are minor issues that aren't that important to me. So I give it 5 stars.
Depends what you're training for - barbell squats improve balance, posture, core strength and over all strength -and whereas squats will make you stronger on a leg press, I'm not sure (based on my own experience), that leg presses make you a better squatter
Some thoughts: (feel free to agree or disagree and mention why) - Machines may provide a better STF ratio and are in general better for muscle fiber recruitment in your desired area (you can push hard without worrying about stability requirements) - Free weights allow your body to move in a more natural range of motion, however lacks training your muscles in various ranges of motion/strength curves. Bands or chains can assist with this issue. - Some benefits of free weights are it builds up more overall body strength and trains your stabilizers during the movement. If you don't train your stabilizers at all, this can lead to injuries and issues down the road. Though machines may provide a better stimulus, they either don't activate your stabilizers or don't activate to the same extent of free weights. - A big benefit of machines is there is less chance of injury throughout the whole course of the exercise I think both should be incorporated (for example splits/periodisation) to reap maximum benefit and reduce the chance of injuries down the road . Of course something like powerlifting would mainly revolve around free weights.
But what's an unnatural range of motion? Free weights only account for us _lifting_ things and lifting things isn't the only time we exert effort against resistance. We can wrestle each other for instance, which makes us exert ourselves in all kinds of weird positions, is that unnatural?
@@synergyrevolution2332 It's not so much about natural vs unnatural. What I mean by natural ROM is a safe yet effective range of motion. Just because we have the capacity to exert ourselves all kinds of ranges of motions doesn't mean we should (it's possible with adequate training and guidance but that's another topic). For example, doing upright rows causes internal shoulder rotation and shoulder impingement (internal shoulder rotation isn't inherently bad but add in heavy weights and possibly bad form and it's a bigger issue). It doesn't mean it's not natural but doing so can be detrimental to one's health. Similarly, wrestling in awkward positions for too long or a sudden change in movement pattern can cause harm to one or both parties involved.
@@thesks24 That makes sense but upright rows, which we can agree is fairly risky, is typically a free weight movement. Squats and deadlifts are also extremely dependent on one's individual structure. If the length of your shins, thighs, torso, and arms are not in the right proportions, those movements could either not stimulate you as well as you'd like or even be very risky and put you in very compromised positions. Upper body barbell movements rarely fit people's structures as well because very few people have shoulders, elbows, and wrists that are designed to align perfectly with a straight bar. Even specialty bars like cambered bars and swiss bars have limitations because of their fixed nature. At least you have dumbbells to make up for that though.
@@synergyrevolution2332 I agree, training should be personalized towards your goals and current body limitations. That's why I'm an advocate for all types of equipment and training methods (barbell, dumbbell, cable, machine, rings/TRX, calisthenics, bands/chains). A good program has a combination of the above. I inherently don't favour any training method or equipment over another but choose based on my goals and current limitations.
Specificity. That's really the thing you need to keep in mind here. Why are you working out. The functional strength work of a free weight squat will never be replaced by a leg press. Accessorized though, absolutely. And if your goal is just hypertrophy, it all comes out very differently.
Man I wish I was near a gym with such glorious equipment! What are your thoughts on the use of bands/chains to change the resistance of an exercise? I know that tends to be more used in the powerlifting crowd, but I employed bands frequently in hypertrophy cycles. Most recently I've used them for feet-elevated squats and they've made the stimulus similar to what you describe in the video.
Personally whenever I do hack squat or traditional leg press machines I feel like it’s rly hard whenever I change direction but after that I push the weight without any struggle The pendulum ones however don’t seem to have this problem whatsoever and feel like a squat without the core stability
I don’t do traditional squats because they feel awkward and my goals are more towards bodybuilding. I do hack squats, leg press and leg extensions for quads.
Eugene - you are using the Medx Avenger leg press as an example of a leg press that is hardest at the bottom and easiest at the top of the squat pattern. Yet, it actually is hardest at the top (when knees are extended) and easiest at the bottom (when knees are flexed). I have tried the machine and it definitely feels this way. The leverage of the weight horn moving in space is only one part of the equation - it uses a 4-bar linkage design, and you can see that the machine actually has maximum mechanical advantage over you the further you move the foot-plate away (i.e. when your knees are straight).
i just pray my gym will buy a hack or swing machine soon-ish, i fucked my knees up a bit while doing powerlifting in the past and machines feel much better now. love those two in particular
If you have a power rack at home guys, you can DIY a belt squat set-up with just the bar, spotter arms/safety pins, and j-hook. There's a video demonstration on RUclips on how to do it. Just look it up. It only takes less than 5 minutes to set-up.
Sure if you have a good leg press machine it could be better for quadriceps hypertrophy. But the ass-to-grass free-weight squat is superior for strength, athleticism and mobility.
I have always thought Squats were better, but never could get the quads to grow much. Not blaming the excersize may be just me. I have incorporated machines mostly now, and I feel much better activation in my quads. (Hack squat, leg press, leg extention . ) I honestly never really used these. I am glad I started. Great video .
That pendulum squat looks sick, about to order one from gmwd for my basement. It's the best looking one I can afford for now. Every gym I've looked into in my area doesn't even have a regular hack squat rack let alone a pendulum.
At my age and with the pains I have now. Plus I am fairly weak on barbell squats. I have to make use of more machines. Plus I can go heavier on the machines.
I hate to say it but you have read the avenger leg press completely wrong. Yes, rhe weight moves closer to the pivot point, but the bar linkage within the machine (down below the seat) completely reverses that effect, creating a massive ramp up in force much greater than the swing squat. Ive used both and im surprised you cant feel the difference.
My leg day hasn’t involved a barbell in a long ass time. I kill my legs on leg-press, hack squats and v squats. With accessories a little before for warmup, then after for a good burn.
Actually the doing the Hack Squat is harder at the bottom and easier at the top. Not because how the machine is built, because the resistance profile of the machine is equal through the entire movement, but in the bottom position you are pushing your back into the sled with your legs more horizontally in the bottom and more vertically at the top, making it harder to push the weight in the bottom. Also missed your opinions on the V Squat is which is even more common than the Pendulum Squat.
I use them but my gym doesn’t have a pendulum squat so I only use a hack squat and leg press I still start out with a squat variations, first day is a Bulgarian split squat and second is a front squat but machines have allowed me to push harder One thing on the leg press is that most people don’t go as deep as they could on, since I started the ATG style leg press it feels so much better than the half repping more people do
I thing machines are a good addition to free weights and the other way around. Just like you said, with machines you can safely push yourself to your max.
Hey Eugene, i got a important question if you don't mind please. On 1:28 why did you only use one hand? Were you more leaned on your left shoulder? My gym has this machine and its a terrible angle when set it up as a leg press ( its a 2 in one machine ) Back to my question when i tried using it the way you are in your video at 1:28 ( i have very very narrow shoulders anatomy, very feminine bone structure) are the pads way to far apart, is that the reason you were on one side?? Also are all gym equipment the same with the pads? Or is the Machine i have at my gym just completely terrible?
I train OLY lifting and mainly do free weight work. however, I need a more quad isolating move so every once a week in addition to my barbell squats on my program I hit leg press. but only as an accessory and only to target my quads.
After I nearly fell backwards twice on barbell squats I've been using the safety squat machine. I have Dyspraxia and ADHD so my balance isn't the best anyway, never mind 50kg on my shoulders.
I guess it's somewhere in between a free weight and a machine, but a Landmine Squat gives you that effect of the movement becoming more difficult as you get closer to the top.
These machines are cool. Especially that leg press. Hopefully competition increases the amount of time taken on aesthetics. Having seen your studio/gym I'm fairly sure you too find value in aesthetics.
I'm a true beginner (2 months or so into beginning working out. I'm 24). Do you think there is something to be said for doing free-weight squats in terms of building up posterior chain and stabilizing muscles etc etc. Or should I begin doing leg presses and hack squats (I am very skinny and want to avoid injury). Thanks in advance Eugene you earned my sub
Commenting for the algo but also don't forget, if the leg press is crap and doesn't offer good ROM (like the Matrix pin loaded one one in my apartment gym) it might not be worth using.
Everyone now seems to worship the big 3. But honestly, they feel really over rated for muscle growth. Yes, if you want a huge squat and bench you have to squat and bench. But when I squat and deadlift my back is more sore than my legs. So I'm thinking of going hard on frotn squats to try and work up my back extra so that it doesnt hold me back when I work legs. Sadly I work out in my basement so getting a hack squat machine isnt going to fit. And note, I'm not saying squats and stuff are bad. But they do involve a lot more besides your legs, which can get in the way of pushing your legs really hard.
Have to load differently...dip belt plus landmine...or the super squat belt...so something that's hip loaded and doesn't involve back...plus while u hold on to something sturdy u can go more to the back mimics the hack...or just str8 etc...it's a bitch to set up though...some shit like climbing gear would be perfect,or shit for kite surfing,a dip belt sux...and then depending on how u load it u have to lift your squatting platform or not...
I'm fairly new to the gym and I think leg press is great. I've been hesitant to add more than 40 kg to squats since my technique and mobility is limited. On leg press, I lifted 100 kgs without having to worry about hurting myself. That's also sure to build more muscle because the sheer volume is much bigger.
not true. the only reason you can add more weight to your leg press is because your other body parts help in compensation. The amount of stimulus on leg muscles by doing squats can never be matched by any machine.
@@youtubeshorts2911 That would be the case if I squatted 10 reps and that was until failure but doing a set of 30 reps is not ideal for hypertrophy. I'll keep squatting for technique until I'm comfortable enough to lift heavy.
I blew out some cartilage in my knee cause I was being dumb so squats are worrisome and something i have to work on mobility wise before i can incorporate them in to my program, but I do leg press and Bulgarian split squats and I've noticed some pretty decent quad growth.
So give up on squats because the most benefit is at the lowest you can go right. I can’t get all the way low because i’m just getting back in the gym. I can say that my back aches after 3rd or 4th set on squats and my knee hurts but my stance is probably off. I may give up on squats because of safety reasons and if leg press gives the same if not better results why should i continue to squat
I would love to do hack squats or something like that but the only leg press my gym has is built in a way where your legs are in the air so i always almost pass out when doing the exercise
Timely video mate, quick question, best exercise for teardrop? As I have aged I have notice a slight reduction in upper size but noticeable mass loss above knee teardrop areas. I have started doing leg extensions and hacks hard again .. Thoughts pls an Ty
Yes but a I have none of them at my gym and b nothing and I am nothing beats the feeling of having more than double bodyweight on your back and squatting with good form and depth.
I honestly wish I had more leg masculines at my gyms. For me, and being older, I prefer machines so I save my joints. Now I only use dumbbells for minor leg exercises.
3 leg press machines that 90% of gyms won't have lol
Little bit of know-how will help you take this concept to whatever machine you do have available with chains, bands or reverse band set ups!
Sissy Squats and Leg extensions can suffice.
Yes
Mine have all 3
The majority of gyms should have a hack squat machine.
If there were machines like that in the gyms here I would use them, but the way it is now I have to stick to free weight.
these bits of John hit right in the feels. Love that you still include him
Always 🙏
Rip mountain dog
Well, he could at least mention that John attributed a lot of his gains to his time spent at Westside Barbell using chains and bands to make the alterations at the top and bottom of the lifts which Eugene suggests in this video is only possible with machines like these.
I feel like your sound was kind of low this time around but good video. The range of motion on hack squat is insane for me and I can push harder without having to worry about injury
Problems with filming and editing on the road 🥲🥲🥲
@@coacheugeneteo no worries :) appreciate the content
@@coacheugeneteo Ah, I was already wondering why it sounded so muffled and quiet.
I guess you already tried normalizing, but this just made the sound worse?
@@coacheugeneteo I have small ears and this video was perfect. You can do no wrong
@@LinkEX yeah. This lapel mic will be the death of me 😂😂😂
we all agree it's just that we don't have any room for these large machines in our home gyms 😭
🥲🥲🥲
Or money
They have the sled style machines that have a much smaller footprint and can be found for under $1k
Uh yes you can. I have a powertec compact linear hack squat aka leg sled bought used $250, a parabody vertical leg press used $100, powertec 45 degree leg press attachment used $150, seated leg curl extension plate loaded machine used $50, along with a stair climber, pec deck plate loaded, powertec pull up assist machine, hyperextension bench , powertec lever gym , and an upright food freezer all in a 16 x13 basement room with room to move around it all.
Skate board and DBs lol 😂
Hot take: there should be way more cable machines in gyms. They’re the single most useful tool for isolation movements because you can change the direction of resistance. Outside of that, more t-bar row machines and seated calf machines would be great.
Is it really a hot take when you only spit facts? Must say i agree completely, missing the seated calf raise on alot of my gyms.
Seriously, it's one of the best equipments in the gym.
I want more chest supported plate loaded row machines
@@ewag8950 yeah. Been using the bench supported dumb bell version but they only go up to 100 at my gym
Cables machines are very easy to max out, so, no.
Im a strength coach and as a general rule of thumb I program only free weights as building muscle is generally not a top goal for the athletes I work with.
However, there are some exception to this.
Im currently training a young woman who wants to become a police officer. She’s quite petite, has no training history (other than dance which isn’t relevant), and is in the lower percentile of strength, even for a woman her size. So I have her going through a strength and hypertrophy period right now.
Long story short, while I generally wouldn’t use machines, my intent for her is to build some mass and thus machine equipment like the leg press make up a large proportion of her workouts.
Nice! Great application 👏
That pendulum squat is one of those machines you don't even have to try out to know how well it works, you can just see it in the movement.
Personally I really like to squat/deadlift lighter weights for my first exercise, and then put in the hardest work on a good machine for legs.
I stopped doing squats a couple months back when the weight got a bit too heavy for my comfort. Having scoliosis, I don't want to have over 300lb pushing down on my spine. I just do really heavy leg press now. My legs look godly nowadays.
315 was my max… never seen the purpose in surpassing it being i don’t compete, i just do a lot of submax squat work in various rep ranges and rpe.
I'm asking myself the same question ! I have scoliosis and lifting roughly 140 pounds. The more I can lift, the more discomfort I feel in my back. I don't have that issue with leg press.
You did the right thing, squat is like bench, its a 'bro' territority, for example, its obvious that for aesthetics goals leg press will be better than squat and dumbbell press will be better than barbell bench, but the bro culture wont accept it because well its their culture and they kinda gotta deffend it, it's totally compreensible.
@batfinkable can you get into more details ? Idk if you've seen my comment but I'm facing the same issue
I have simillar problem, s curved scoliosis and even squatting 135lbs really hurts, so i usually do horizontal and traditional leg presses, unilateral work and hack squats, just don't want to risk the injury.
Thanks for taking your time making this video coach! 🙏🤗
Thank you! 🙏
I'm jealous of all these advanced machines.
Me too 😂
As an mma practitioner and currently on a cut, I found the leg press SFR to be waaaay more favorable than the squat whilst offering virtually the same benefits. Whenever I used to squat on a cut I would always feel like shit but I don't anymore using a leg press as a substitute. Great video btw!
"...virtually the same benefits"
Mark Ripetoe would like a word with you.
If it's the same benefits, just put the same weights and see the magic
What's your back squat 1rm
@@JayMoney-hd1jl I haven't trained for 1rm in a long time but the last time I did was over a year ago for 455 x 1 @ 170 BW
@@genezysgoncalves5937 I meant in terms of hypertrophy. Obviously squats are more nuanced in terms of strength gains because of stabilizers but you aren't missing much by replacing them with other movements if your main goal isn't to be a powerlifter. That being said the squat and leg press are two completely different movements using two different neuromuscular patterns so obviously the weights would be different Idk what you were trying to get out of saying that you should load the same weight on the leg press
After years of following powerlifitng and "powerbuilding principles" I found this hard to relate until recently
My lower back was limiting me from Squatting more, so I started using the machines again at the gym
Less joint and ache pains, back hasn't hurt in months with a flare up and body is transforming
Now I completely agree with this
Hehe Cool to see you here
@@raymond987 hey! Subd to you now 😁
@@sean.momentum same!
i was worried that it might be bad for me to stop squatting to help with my back pain and substituting it for leg press. i feel more confident that i'm making the right choice
@@youngsuit it took a lot of pride for me to stop back squatting like a typical power lifter/builder
Don’t get me wrong I miss squatting more plates, but the cost/benefit wasn’t there. I’m thankful I did it because I’m enjoying training again without joint pain 😬
This has Helped me so much, i always felt I was missing out because I couldn’t do squats because of injuries but I still got great results with only machines🙌🏼
A few years ago I would have vehemently disagreed but I've used machines in my training a lot more recently and wholeheartedly agree.
The longer your training age, the more open you are to other ways of training
That safety squat bar looks so more stable and comfortable than a common one.
It's the Marrs Bar.
before I watch I just wanna say anyone who doesn’t currently hack squat, please do so. My quads have blown up in the past few months. And if you are already hack squatting and not going to or close to failure and not utilizing a full ROM, get your shit together.
Leverage squat machine works mostly your glutes while hack squat machine works mostly your quads.
One thing I like about free weight squats vs. the rest is the ability to rotate at the hips/waist. Hack squats and leg presses lock in your upper body by design, which can put added strain on the lower back.
Why would you want to rotate at your hips or waist during a squat or leg press? If anything, rotation will CAUSE injury.
I use machines more when im deep in a diet and the risk of injury is great on trad barbell movements like squat and deadlift. I also use them when rehabbing injuries as I can better control how load is applied. they absolutely have their place in my training routine
Good call!
I had a dual hernia surgery last year and I’m over 50. So, I’m not comfortable loading up massive weight in a free weights squat or deadlift. I’m always looking for body weight or alternative exercises.
Much more comfortable doing machine presses so good to know it can be beneficial.
Excellent breakdown, sir!
I notice that you don't talk about the same thing everytime or get over complicated with the science. Great video brotha
Thank you! 🙏
SMART GUY. I AGREE WITH YOU. AND THINK MACHINES ARE BETTER FOR LEGS AND BACK. WHILE PRESERVING YOUR SPINE AND HEIGHTENING FOCUS.
Uncle Teo thank you. Also including John meadows in there was a nice touch how is the pectorial doing by the way
Much better!
Hey Eugene, Just came across you channel. Been trying to find someone who can give info straight to the point without all the needless babbling. You got a sub from me. Keep it up 🙂
This is exactly ruclips.net/user/postUgkxUHHotQRjIQnfuxEeVotlkHVYWH0DXZoS what I needed to get some exercise while I'm stuck at my desk all day. It's just the right size. Only downsides are that the right oeddale unscrews itself while I use it and increasing the tension causes it to squeak while in use. Both are minor issues that aren't that important to me. So I give it 5 stars.
Depends what you're training for - barbell squats improve balance, posture, core strength and over all strength -and whereas squats will make you stronger on a leg press, I'm not sure (based on my own experience), that leg presses make you a better squatter
His titles are hyperbolic. Watch the content of the video, he’s playing devils advocate. Do both.
Some thoughts: (feel free to agree or disagree and mention why)
- Machines may provide a better STF ratio and are in general better for muscle fiber recruitment in your desired area (you can push hard without worrying about stability requirements)
- Free weights allow your body to move in a more natural range of motion, however lacks training your muscles in various ranges of motion/strength curves. Bands or chains can assist with this issue.
- Some benefits of free weights are it builds up more overall body strength and trains your stabilizers during the movement. If you don't train your stabilizers at all, this can lead to injuries and issues down the road. Though machines may provide a better stimulus, they either don't activate your stabilizers or don't activate to the same extent of free weights.
- A big benefit of machines is there is less chance of injury throughout the whole course of the exercise
I think both should be incorporated (for example splits/periodisation) to reap maximum benefit and reduce the chance of injuries down the road . Of course something like powerlifting would mainly revolve around free weights.
But what's an unnatural range of motion? Free weights only account for us _lifting_ things and lifting things isn't the only time we exert effort against resistance. We can wrestle each other for instance, which makes us exert ourselves in all kinds of weird positions, is that unnatural?
@@synergyrevolution2332 It's not so much about natural vs unnatural. What I mean by natural ROM is a safe yet effective range of motion. Just because we have the capacity to exert ourselves all kinds of ranges of motions doesn't mean we should (it's possible with adequate training and guidance but that's another topic). For example, doing upright rows causes internal shoulder rotation and shoulder impingement (internal shoulder rotation isn't inherently bad but add in heavy weights and possibly bad form and it's a bigger issue). It doesn't mean it's not natural but doing so can be detrimental to one's health. Similarly, wrestling in awkward positions for too long or a sudden change in movement pattern can cause harm to one or both parties involved.
@@thesks24 That makes sense but upright rows, which we can agree is fairly risky, is typically a free weight movement.
Squats and deadlifts are also extremely dependent on one's individual structure. If the length of your shins, thighs, torso, and arms are not in the right proportions, those movements could either not stimulate you as well as you'd like or even be very risky and put you in very compromised positions.
Upper body barbell movements rarely fit people's structures as well because very few people have shoulders, elbows, and wrists that are designed to align perfectly with a straight bar. Even specialty bars like cambered bars and swiss bars have limitations because of their fixed nature. At least you have dumbbells to make up for that though.
@@synergyrevolution2332 I agree, training should be personalized towards your goals and current body limitations. That's why I'm an advocate for all types of equipment and training methods (barbell, dumbbell, cable, machine, rings/TRX, calisthenics, bands/chains). A good program has a combination of the above. I inherently don't favour any training method or equipment over another but choose based on my goals and current limitations.
High bar squats, and a carefully selected machine squat variation, and you'll build those quads well.
Specificity. That's really the thing you need to keep in mind here. Why are you working out. The functional strength work of a free weight squat will never be replaced by a leg press. Accessorized though, absolutely. And if your goal is just hypertrophy, it all comes out very differently.
Man I wish I was near a gym with such glorious equipment! What are your thoughts on the use of bands/chains to change the resistance of an exercise? I know that tends to be more used in the powerlifting crowd, but I employed bands frequently in hypertrophy cycles. Most recently I've used them for feet-elevated squats and they've made the stimulus similar to what you describe in the video.
Added bonus of chains, they make you feel cool
Personally whenever I do hack squat or traditional leg press machines I feel like it’s rly hard whenever I change direction but after that I push the weight without any struggle
The pendulum ones however don’t seem to have this problem whatsoever and feel like a squat without the core stability
I don’t do traditional squats because they feel awkward and my goals are more towards bodybuilding. I do hack squats, leg press and leg extensions for quads.
I'm now realizing how leg extensions paired with a squat hardest at the bottom is such a great combo
Eugene - you are using the Medx Avenger leg press as an example of a leg press that is hardest at the bottom and easiest at the top of the squat pattern. Yet, it actually is hardest at the top (when knees are extended) and easiest at the bottom (when knees are flexed). I have tried the machine and it definitely feels this way.
The leverage of the weight horn moving in space is only one part of the equation - it uses a 4-bar linkage design, and you can see that the machine actually has maximum mechanical advantage over you the further you move the foot-plate away (i.e. when your knees are straight).
i just pray my gym will buy a hack or swing machine soon-ish, i fucked my knees up a bit while doing powerlifting in the past and machines feel much better now. love those two in particular
If you have a power rack at home guys, you can DIY a belt squat set-up with just the bar, spotter arms/safety pins, and j-hook. There's a video demonstration on RUclips on how to do it. Just look it up. It only takes less than 5 minutes to set-up.
Nice!
Good luck finding those machines in most gyms. Been going to gyms for over 20 years, and the leg press is about all you're getting around here.
love ❤️ the john meadows footage.
Ready to learn!
Sure if you have a good leg press machine it could be better for quadriceps hypertrophy. But the ass-to-grass free-weight squat is superior for strength, athleticism and mobility.
I get sore knees from doing the hacksquat machine. Adjusted my feet position many times but still getting sore knees.
I personally love Belt Squats 👍
I have always thought Squats were better, but never could get the quads to grow much. Not blaming the excersize may be just me.
I have incorporated machines mostly now, and I feel much better activation in my quads. (Hack squat, leg press, leg extention . ) I honestly never really used these. I am glad I started.
Great video .
Awesome content as always
I wish my gym had all these cool machines 😌
That pendulum squat looks sick, about to order one from gmwd for my basement. It's the best looking one I can afford for now. Every gym I've looked into in my area doesn't even have a regular hack squat rack let alone a pendulum.
Tom platz the god of quads I call him begs to differ he thinks that the leg press is far inferior to the back squat and I kind of agree with him.
This is like a dream gym ❤️
45 degree hack/leg press is next on the list for my home gym 👍
Thank you so much master!❤️
At my age and with the pains I have now. Plus I am fairly weak on barbell squats. I have to make use of more machines. Plus I can go heavier on the machines.
I hate to say it but you have read the avenger leg press completely wrong. Yes, rhe weight moves closer to the pivot point, but the bar linkage within the machine (down below the seat) completely reverses that effect, creating a massive ramp up in force much greater than the swing squat. Ive used both and im surprised you cant feel the difference.
John Meadows in the cut!!! ❤️🙏💯
Great video!
My leg day hasn’t involved a barbell in a long ass time. I kill my legs on leg-press, hack squats and v squats. With accessories a little before for warmup, then after for a good burn.
Nice!
Actually the doing the Hack Squat is harder at the bottom and easier at the top. Not because how the machine is built, because the resistance profile of the machine is equal through the entire movement, but in the bottom position you are pushing your back into the sled with your legs more horizontally in the bottom and more vertically at the top, making it harder to push the weight in the bottom.
Also missed your opinions on the V Squat is which is even more common than the Pendulum Squat.
I use them but my gym doesn’t have a pendulum squat so I only use a hack squat and leg press
I still start out with a squat variations, first day is a Bulgarian split squat and second is a front squat but machines have allowed me to push harder
One thing on the leg press is that most people don’t go as deep as they could on, since I started the ATG style leg press it feels so much better than the half repping more people do
Nice!!
I thing machines are a good addition to free weights and the other way around. Just like you said, with machines you can safely push yourself to your max.
Love the Mountain Dog cameo! R.I.P.
Hey Eugene, i got a important question if you don't mind please. On 1:28 why did you only use one hand? Were you more leaned on your left shoulder?
My gym has this machine and its a terrible angle when set it up as a leg press ( its a 2 in one machine )
Back to my question when i tried using it the way you are in your video at 1:28 ( i have very very narrow shoulders anatomy, very feminine bone structure) are the pads way to far apart, is that the reason you were on one side??
Also are all gym equipment the same with the pads? Or is the Machine i have at my gym just completely terrible?
Hack squats hurt my knees really bad. I'm only able to do traditional leg press
Wish my gym had these machines
Me too 🥲
I’m just commenting to be involved 🧍🏼♀️
I train OLY lifting and mainly do free weight work. however, I need a more quad isolating move so every once a week in addition to my barbell squats on my program I hit leg press. but only as an accessory and only to target my quads.
After I nearly fell backwards twice on barbell squats I've been using the safety squat machine. I have Dyspraxia and ADHD so my balance isn't the best anyway, never mind 50kg on my shoulders.
I guess it's somewhere in between a free weight and a machine, but a Landmine Squat gives you that effect of the movement becoming more difficult as you get closer to the top.
Thanks to that man Meadows, I found you a while back. Cheers and RIP to the goat 🙏🏻
These machines are cool. Especially that leg press. Hopefully competition increases the amount of time taken on aesthetics. Having seen your studio/gym I'm fairly sure you too find value in aesthetics.
I love legs machines, i tend to do more volume with them as i can push my self harder then on free weights barbell squats
Mr.Eugene is there any specific type of shoe that u recommend for training?
Nothing too cushiony usually. I mainly opt for comfort and minimalist
Eugene : “are you not entertained?”
I'm a true beginner (2 months or so into beginning working out. I'm 24). Do you think there is something to be said for doing free-weight squats in terms of building up posterior chain and stabilizing muscles etc etc. Or should I begin doing leg presses and hack squats (I am very skinny and want to avoid injury). Thanks in advance Eugene you earned my sub
Absolutely! I'd stick to more unilateral movements to really build it up more. Split squats 👌👌
Commenting for the algo but also don't forget, if the leg press is crap and doesn't offer good ROM (like the Matrix pin loaded one one in my apartment gym) it might not be worth using.
Absolutely
Swing squat looks wild 😳
The most uncommon squat machine in my gym is pendelum squat but we don't even have the hack squat one.
The belt squat machine is pretty cool but not a lot of places have them.
Everyone now seems to worship the big 3. But honestly, they feel really over rated for muscle growth. Yes, if you want a huge squat and bench you have to squat and bench. But when I squat and deadlift my back is more sore than my legs. So I'm thinking of going hard on frotn squats to try and work up my back extra so that it doesnt hold me back when I work legs. Sadly I work out in my basement so getting a hack squat machine isnt going to fit.
And note, I'm not saying squats and stuff are bad. But they do involve a lot more besides your legs, which can get in the way of pushing your legs really hard.
Have to load differently...dip belt plus landmine...or the super squat belt...so something that's hip loaded and doesn't involve back...plus while u hold on to something sturdy u can go more to the back mimics the hack...or just str8 etc...it's a bitch to set up though...some shit like climbing gear would be perfect,or shit for kite surfing,a dip belt sux...and then depending on how u load it u have to lift your squatting platform or not...
I'm fairly new to the gym and I think leg press is great. I've been hesitant to add more than 40 kg to squats since my technique and mobility is limited. On leg press, I lifted 100 kgs without having to worry about hurting myself. That's also sure to build more muscle because the sheer volume is much bigger.
not true. the only reason you can add more weight to your leg press is because your other body parts help in compensation. The amount of stimulus on leg muscles by doing squats can never be matched by any machine.
@@youtubeshorts2911 That would be the case if I squatted 10 reps and that was until failure but doing a set of 30 reps is not ideal for hypertrophy. I'll keep squatting for technique until I'm comfortable enough to lift heavy.
I blew out some cartilage in my knee cause I was being dumb so squats are worrisome and something i have to work on mobility wise before i can incorporate them in to my program, but I do leg press and Bulgarian split squats and I've noticed some pretty decent quad growth.
Love that section of video with mountain dog RIP
🙏
Where the hell do you find this amount of squat machines? I have literally never seen half of the machines you have shown in this video.
Unless I get a spine replacement free weight and smith squats are off the table.
*leg press and my 10-21.5k runs 3xs a week it is 😊
So give up on squats because the most benefit is at the lowest you can go right. I can’t get all the way low because i’m just getting back in the gym. I can say that my back aches after 3rd or 4th set on squats and my knee hurts but my stance is probably off. I may give up on squats because of safety reasons and if leg press gives the same if not better results why should i continue to squat
What about the linear hack press?
Nice shoe uncle Eugene!
Hi, what is the name/brand of the device used for squat (on the shoulders)?
What is the name of that leg press at 0:22 omg i need that!
I would love to do hack squats or something like that but the only leg press my gym has is built in a way where your legs are in the air so i always almost pass out when doing the exercise
The MedX Avenger leg press is fire! How did you like the Marrs Bar compared to a regular safety squat bar?
I much prefer the Marrs bar! But I can see how many will find it awkward based on size
@@coacheugeneteo Pure Muscle and Fitness looks like a bodybuilder paradise!
I do hack squats on an incline smith machine and they are great
LUNGES BABY KING OF ALL LEG EXERCISES
Alright hi John, Everybody here… miss you john meadows
🙏🙏
Timely video mate, quick question, best exercise for teardrop?
As I have aged I have notice a slight reduction in upper size but noticeable mass loss above knee teardrop areas. I have started doing leg extensions and hacks hard again .. Thoughts pls an Ty
Yes but a I have none of them at my gym and b nothing and I am nothing beats the feeling of having more than double bodyweight on your back and squatting with good form and depth.
What company makes that swing squat and that horizontal leg press?
Swing squat is the original brand of you look it up you'll find it. I'm not 100% sure on the leg press
@@coacheugeneteo thanks
I want to try the hex squad machine now, but im doing cali 😩
I honestly wish I had more leg masculines at my gyms. For me, and being older, I prefer machines so I save my joints. Now I only use dumbbells for minor leg exercises.
How can increase depth in leg press? I can’t go that deep.
How far can you squat with your feet pointing forward?
it's probably lack of hip external rotation
It might be mobility. But could also be how you're placing your feet/how the machine is set up. It might not be a good fit for you
What brand is that leg press machine? Never saw it..