Can't learn to love leg day

[mudbutt22]

I want to love leg day- I really do but its miserable for me. I do train legs twice a week but I have a really hard time bringing the intensity it deserves.

I know it stems from the fact that my first few years of training I did not train legs. Plus when compared to my upper body they are very weak, especially my squat. My max bench is about 350 but so is my squat.

I'm 5'9 210 and probably 13-14% bf btw.

Any tips from former leg day haters who have grown to love it?

 

[Big_poppa_Bren]

Back off to once a week..... The gains will motivate you

 

[D-Ballin]

Embrace the suck. The pain is what makes it worthwhile.

 

[D-Ballin]

Back off to once a week..... The gains will motivate you

Probably a good idea. Get used to bringing it hard when you only have to worry about it once a week. Add the second day back in once you get a good routine going.

 

[Big_poppa_Bren]

I used to hate training back. And I mean hate it. I used to split it whenever I could between my other muscle groups. But when I started to see the gains it motivated me.... Now it's my strongest workout. Love doing back now.

 

[Oregongearhead]

I used to hate training back. And I mean hate it. I used to split it whenever I could between my other muscle groups. But when I started to see the gains it motivated me.... Now it's my strongest workout. Love doing back now.

You just need to see some results . Once I saw my quads getting bigger I was hooked on squats . And its proven that big squats (and deadlifts) create a bigger upper body too .
350 max is a great squat . Now shoot for 350x2 . Then 350x3 . Now try 360x1 . See ?
Goodluck ~Ogh

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Squat more often with less volume. A few sets every workout (within reason, probably not if you train almost every day, but 3-4x/week is good) rather than a "leg day" that you dread and hate you'll have a few manageable sets and it'll just become routine.

 

[mudbutt22]

Thanks for the advice guys. I like both ideas. Squatting more often and just training once a week- I'll try both and see what works better for me. I'll probably just deadlift on a day that I train back. I do think once I see some growth it will motivate me to train harder. I'll start measuring them monthly- hopefully that helps.

 

[gr8whitetrukker]

I have a confession to make...
I was once a leg press super hero
Wooo got that off my chest

 

[D-Ballin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I like both ideas. Squatting more often and just training once a week- I'll try both and see what works better for me. I'll probably just deadlift on a day that I train back. I do think once I see some growth it will motivate me to train harder. I'll start measuring them monthly- hopefully that helps.

What is it specifically you dislike about leg day? The DOMS? Squats specifically? Or just the grueling nature if the whole workout?

 

[mudbutt22]

I actually very seldomly get doms. It's really two things- one is the fact that I feel they're week. Strength isn't my primary goal but it's still very important to me. This sounds stupid but I'm half embarrassed about the amount of weight I'm moving. The other thing is that I train alone so I get nervous about training with heavier loads.

 

[insaiyan93]

You just have to accept it, it's gonna make you stronger all over, atleast it does for me, thats how I came around. I used to always half ass leg day but once I saw how it affected my all around strength it definitely got me to bust my ass.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

I actually very seldomly get doms. It's really two things- one is the fact that I feel they're week. Strength isn't my primary goal but it's still very important to me. This sounds stupid but I'm half embarrassed about the amount of weight I'm moving. The other thing is that I train alone so I get nervous about training with heavier loads.

Do they have a power rack where you train? No need for a spotter on squats, just set the safeties where you can hit depth, but still lower the bar onto them if you fail. I'd recommend throwing some weight on and just lowering it to them, once you see it's easy, safe and no big deal you'll feel a lot better about the possibility of needing to do it on a heavy set.

 

[jaymaximus]

I powerlift. So there is no leg day. I do squats (a lot) and some leg accessories too. But I also do some back and other exercises on those days. So since theres no dedicated complete leg day, it doesnt suck. Legs are just a part of the workout...

 

[insaiyan93]

Do they have a power rack where you train? No need for a spotter on squats, just set the safeties where you can hit depth, but still lower the bar onto them if you fail. I'd recommend throwing some weight on and just lowering it to them, once you see it's easy, safe and no big deal you'll feel a lot better about the possibility of needing to do it on a heavy set.

I second this, I used to be really nervous about losing balance and tipping over but having those safeties set up gets your confidence quick. If you do screw up you have a safety net, but it let's you realize you are probably going to be just fine unless your form is just terrible

 

[D-Ballin]

I actually very seldomly get doms. It's really two things- one is the fact that I feel they're week. Strength isn't my primary goal but it's still very important to me. This sounds stupid but I'm half embarrassed about the amount of weight I'm moving. The other thing is that I train alone so I get nervous about training with heavier loads.

I'd go with perrin's advice myself.

I'm going through similar stuff. But you're well ahead of me, so don't feel too bad fucker, lol.

I've been forced into a major routine change due to injury. It's actually been great for me the past few weeks. Needed it earlier, really.

But anyway, been squatting four days a week. Doing amazing things for me. The confidence level in the movement has gone up a lot with the frequency.

 

[mudbutt22]

Makes sense. the confidence boost is probably what I really need anyway. Thanks man.

 

[DonQKong]

When I was BBing, leg day sucked, but these days, its my favorites PLing squats and deadlifts. Squats are difficult in the beginning and it takes a bit of time to get used to them, but when you do, you'll enter a new world.

The fanatics out there says there is two disciplines - "Its powerlifting" and then there is "squatting". Ive even seen interviews of PLers saying they "enter the altar" when they squat in a rack. I wouldn't go that far myself, but its defo my favourite exercise.

My suggestion is read up on it, get your technique nailed, set some targets, reach those targets.

Rinse.

Repeat.

 

[Frandeman]

 

[MindlessWork]

Leg day...learn to love it