Archie

[taser]

with regards to squats,they are closed end? the leg press only uses the quads opposed to the glutes and hams???

 

[Archie]

with regards to squats,they are closed end? the leg press only uses the quads opposed to the glutes and hams???

Squats are a closed chain exercise; the force generated is applied to the ground, not the bar. In order to lift the bar. The lifter must creat a force against the ground greater than that of the bar.

The leg press does works the hams eccentrically.

The glutes are not properly recruited due to being trapped by the seat of the press machine.

In a squat the trunk, hip and knee extensors act as
prime movers.

-----

The lats for example are worked both 'open' through a lat pull down, and 'closed' via a chin up.

There is a big difference in the difficulty of both exercises due to the working end of the muscle being reversed.

Archie

 

[taser]

as far as the quads(only) are concerned,both work them equally?

 

[Archie]

as far as the quads(only) are concerned,both work them equally?

Not equally. They work oppostie ends of the quad.

You will have bigger quads from squating.

Archie

 

[jsupstarz]

Not necessarily true. I depends a lot on foot placement. If you squat real wide your hips glutes and hamswill develop much more. If you squat very close with toes pointed out a little you will have bigger quad development. You can implement this on the leg press as well. I am a powerlifter and olympic style lifters that cross over have huge quads compared to anything, and people like me that squat REAL wide don't, because of the way we get our leverage from hips and glutes & hams mostly

 

[Archie]

Not necessarily true. I depends a lot on foot placement. If you squat real wide your hips glutes and hamswill develop much more. If you squat very close with toes pointed out a little you will have bigger quad development. You can implement this on the leg press as well. I am a powerlifter and olympic style lifters that cross over have huge quads compared to anything, and people like me that squat REAL wide don't, because of the way we get our leverage from hips and glutes & hams mostly

The human body is complex! energy is transfered throughout, via the kinetic chain and consists of sling systems, compensations and referals ect (as i am sure you are aware). Exercises should be performed functionally and with the correct posture in mind at all times. If you are training for powerlifting then I am sure technique is different, this does not mean you are not susceptible to muscle compensation, refered injury and the likes due to poorly training the CNS.

You are still initiating movement from the same end of the muscle and it remains a 'closed kinetic chain exercise'. .

If you were to perform both a squat and a leg press, both done with the feet, legs and hip complex in functional alignment, the squat wins out.

Archie

 

[taser]

what do you mean by "opposite ends of the quads"? also,i was told that keeping your toes almost straight,very slightly outward is the best way to squat or leg press.. having the toes point too far out will hurt the hips...

 

[Archie]

what do you mean by "opposite ends of the quads"? also,i was told that keeping your toes almost straight,very slightly outward is the best way to squat or leg press[/.. having the toes point too far out will hurt the hips...

Each muscle has two end yes? The primary working end will be reversed in an 'open' chain exercise as opposed to a 'closed' chain exercise.

You would be best served in trying to find both an 'open and 'closed' chain exercise for all body parts. To work both ends of the muscle will serve to develop both the nervous system and muscule growth by varying the recruitment patterns.

what do you mean by "opposite ends of the quads"? also,i was told that keeping your toes almost straight,very slightly outward is the best way to squat or leg press.. having the toes point too far out will hurt the hips...

This is true. Although there has been much debate. 15 degrees appears to be the agreed max.

Archie