Anybody built big legs without Squats?

[JesterBOB]

I don't think squatting is for everyone, especially if your biomechanics make it much harder for you. I vastly improved mine with full ROM leg presses and hack squats. You're going to have to lower the weight at first, since most people don't do full ROM and their knees aren't used to it, but once your knees get stronger, none of these movements will hurt at all. On my second leg day, I will trade leg presses for smith machine squats, where I go very slow and deep.

To your favorite anatomical features, you need to choose the correct squat technique. As a rule, all that causes damage is incorrect weights on the bar and errors in movement.

 

[malfeasance]

my best squat ever was 405 x 24 reps (w/ knee wraps)

Now THAT is squatting!

LOL! Everybody wants to do low reps. High rep squats separate the boys from the men.

 

[Demondosage]

Now THAT is squatting!

LOL! Everybody wants to do low reps. High rep squats separate the boys from the men.

Thanks! But my quads got better doing lighter, high rep leg presses than heavy squats ever did for me

 

[EazyE]

Thanks! But my quads got better doing lighter, high rep leg presses than heavy squats ever did for me

My legs only ever responded well when I did both squats and heavy high-rep leg presses. Train legs with a frequency of every 5-6 days. One day heavy squat workout and the next leg day focus on heavy AND high rep leg press. Just don’t do both on same day. Worked for me…

 

[Demondosage]

One issue I’ve had from a lower foot placement on the leg press footpad is that my Achilles’ tendons are getting tendinitis pain, however the position of my feet and pressing from the balls as opposed to the heels has made a tremendous difference in quadricep development. So at this point it’s a balancing act, I’m going to have to take on a few different exercises and back off that style of foot placement on my presses for a bit

 

[JesterBOB]

Now THAT is squatting!

LOL! Everybody wants to do low reps. High rep squats separate the boys from the men.

lol! from your post. But perhaps you are right

 

[JesterBOB]

Thanks! But my quads got better doing lighter, high rep leg presses than heavy squats ever did for me

That's great news, any development is good, very good.

 

[Gixjon22]

Pretty sure Dorian Yates didnt do squats. Well barbell squats.

 

[Deleted member 123722]

Pretty sure Dorian Yates didnt do squats. Well barbell squats.

He did at first, but then got injured in his hip. After surgery, he stopped doing them and would hit a leg extension pre-exhaust, then right to leg press, followed by hacks... I don't think squats are for everyone, especially those of you who are taller and lean forward.

 

[K1ngufk1ngs]

He did at first, but then got injured in his hip. After surgery, he stopped doing them and would hit a leg extension pre-exhaust, then right to leg press, followed by hacks... I don't think squats are for everyone, especially those of you who are taller and lean forward.

Imho I would argue squats are for less people than they are for especially in bodybuilding. Strongman or powerlifting sure they have crossover. In bodybuilding they are inefficient at hitting muscles for size except maybe the glute and that depends like you said on body type. They put alot of strain on abs and back muscles and even can hurt shoulders. I would argue deadlifts are more beneficial for leg development than squats.

 

[JesterBOB]

Pretty sure Dorian Yates didnt do squats. Well barbell squats.

I don't know, I think I just did. I can be wrong.

 

[JesterBOB]

He did at first, but then got injured in his hip. After surgery, he stopped doing them and would hit a leg extension pre-exhaust, then right to leg press, followed by hacks... I don't think squats are for everyone, especially those of you who are taller and lean forward.

It seems to me that you just need to choose the correct technique in order to work optimally in your anatomical angles.

 

[Deleted member 123722]

It seems to me that you just need to choose the correct technique in order to work optimally in your anatomical angles.

Right. I've done squats with something under my heals, which certainly helps deal with the leaning issue, but still makes the knees wobbly when you go heavy. Again, the issue with squats is it become almost a total body movement, loading several levers that cause more total fatigue; spending energy on stabilizing rather than focusing targeting specific muscles for hypertrophy.

I do leg press with full ROM: my legs open up and my knees go deeeep as far as I can possible go, unlike many who load up the rack, and do half reps thinking they are doing it right.

I will do some squats on the smith machine, as I did today, but I feel they are suboptimal, probably because my gym only has the diagonal smith machine, rather than the one that is straight up an down.

 

[JesterBOB]

Right. I've done squats with something under my heals, which certainly helps deal with the leaning issue, but still makes the knees wobbly when you go heavy. Again, the issue with squats is it become almost a total body movement, loading several levers that cause more total fatigue; spending energy on stabilizing rather than focusing targeting specific muscles for hypertrophy.

I do leg press with full ROM: my legs open up and my knees go deeeep as far as I can possible go, unlike many who load up the rack, and do half reps thinking they are doing it right.

I will do some squats on the smith machine, as I did today, but I feel they are suboptimal, probably because my gym only has the diagonal smith machine, rather than the one that is straight up an down.

right, everything must be selected and slowly and correctly build the technique. About the Smith machine, yes, it's better, which is vertical. Try again to squat on a safety bar

 

[Gigantic]

I have 32-33” quads and massive calves bigger than Dolly Parton’s titties. My legs have always been big, even before body building or cycling, such that I seem to get absolutely no workout with heavy hack squats, or even a 3 mile walk/jog with a 140lb weighted vest.

Can’t grow biceps to save my life…

 

[JesterBOB]

I have 32-33” quads and massive calves bigger than Dolly Parton’s titties. My legs have always been big, even before body building or cycling, such that I seem to get absolutely no workout with heavy hack squats, or even a 3 mile walk/jog with a 140lb weighted vest.

Can’t grow biceps to save my life…

My legs and calves grow by themselves, from any load. But in order for the body to start growing upwards, it was worth a lot of work, both on nutrition and on training. Of course, I was looking for movement in a technique that gives the greatest muscle response.