Leg Press
Dallas Personal Trainer - Probably the most frequently utilized leg exercise by a typical Dallas personal trainer. However, in our opinion this exercise is of little value when compared to many other more functional leg exercises. This is because on leg presses:
Load the appropriate amount of weight for the rep range that is specified by your workout program. Sit down in the seat and place you feet fairly high on the pressing platform at about shoulder width. How high you place your feet will depend on the length of your legs, the size of the platform, and the size of the machine. It is important that they be placed high enough on the platform that you can keep your heels solidly planted on it throughout the exercise.
Once you have placed your feet, press the weight up, release the handles that hold it in its racked position, and lower it toward yourself. Your knees should come down to your chest and bend to, at least, a right angle. Once you have lowered the weight, press the weight back up smoothly by pushing your heels firmly into the platform. Never let your heels raise and do not push the weight up with your toes. At the top of the movement, do not lock your knees out, but rather contract your thigh muscles very tightly just short of lockout and then lower the weight under control into the next rep. Keep the motion smooth and controlled throughout the exercise.
There are a variety of leg press machines at different gyms. Whichever kind your gym has should be fine. If there are several kinds, simply pick the one that is most comfortable to you. If it is your first time to do this exercise, you may want to do a few reps without any weight loaded on the machine, so that you can get a feel for how it works without struggling under a heavy weight. Make sure that you understand how to rack and unrack the weight when you start and finish your set. Typically, there are little handles at your sides that will release the weight or secure it, depending on which way you move them. Learn how your particular machine works before you load it up with a bunch of weight.
As always, we do not recommend performing any exercise without the supervision of a highly qualified Dallas personal trainer. This exercise description is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor before attempting any workout program or attempting this exercise or any other exercise on this website.
- The core does not have to be stabilized during the lift because the exerciser is sitting in a seat
- The spine can round without the exerciser being aware of it because of the seated position he/she is in which can cause major problems in the lumbar spine area
- The strength gained on the leg press is often not very transferable to real life usefulness due to the isolation nature of the exercise (it only moves the legs, rather than the entire body through its range of motion)
Load the appropriate amount of weight for the rep range that is specified by your workout program. Sit down in the seat and place you feet fairly high on the pressing platform at about shoulder width. How high you place your feet will depend on the length of your legs, the size of the platform, and the size of the machine. It is important that they be placed high enough on the platform that you can keep your heels solidly planted on it throughout the exercise.
Once you have placed your feet, press the weight up, release the handles that hold it in its racked position, and lower it toward yourself. Your knees should come down to your chest and bend to, at least, a right angle. Once you have lowered the weight, press the weight back up smoothly by pushing your heels firmly into the platform. Never let your heels raise and do not push the weight up with your toes. At the top of the movement, do not lock your knees out, but rather contract your thigh muscles very tightly just short of lockout and then lower the weight under control into the next rep. Keep the motion smooth and controlled throughout the exercise.
There are a variety of leg press machines at different gyms. Whichever kind your gym has should be fine. If there are several kinds, simply pick the one that is most comfortable to you. If it is your first time to do this exercise, you may want to do a few reps without any weight loaded on the machine, so that you can get a feel for how it works without struggling under a heavy weight. Make sure that you understand how to rack and unrack the weight when you start and finish your set. Typically, there are little handles at your sides that will release the weight or secure it, depending on which way you move them. Learn how your particular machine works before you load it up with a bunch of weight.
As always, we do not recommend performing any exercise without the supervision of a highly qualified Dallas personal trainer. This exercise description is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor before attempting any workout program or attempting this exercise or any other exercise on this website.