If you want to build and strengthen your quads and glutes for monster-sized wheels, squats and leg presses are both go-to moves that will deliver big-time results. However, if you’ve only got time for one, choose squats. Squats are far more complex lifts that when performed correctly will deliver superior results.Here are 5 reasons why squats are better than leg presses.
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Maximum Muscle
Squats require the whole body to work during the lift, engaging more muscles, and developing more strength, power and muscular gains throughout the body.
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Burns More Calories
Since more muscles are working during the squat than the leg press, you’ll burn more calories during and up to 24 hours after your workout.
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Better Balance
Most leg press machines focus primarily on the quads, eliminating the glutes from the lift altogether. 90% of people already have stronger quads than glutes and hamstrings, so training quads only will amplify the muscular imbalance between opposing muscles in front and back, leading to low back and knee injuries.
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Stronger Core
Doing a squat rather than a leg press will place your core under considerable stress, causing it to work hard to support your body during the lift. The result is your abs and core getting a better workout than they would with crunches.
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Greater Stabilization
Because the leg press machine basically forces you into position, you rely very little on and stabilizing muscles, Squats on the other hand will force you to work your abductors, adductors and glute medius, adding to your overall lower body development, while helping to prevent injuries.
If you want to build and strengthen your quads and glutes for monster-sized wheels, squats and leg presses are both go-to moves that will deliver big-time results. However, if you’ve only got time for one, choose squats. Squats are far more complex lifts that when performed correctly will deliver superior results.
Here are 5 reasons why squats are better than leg presses.
Maximum Muscle
Squats require the whole body to work during the lift, engaging more muscles, and developing more strength, power and muscular gains throughout the body.
Burns More Calories
Since more muscles are working during the squat than the leg press, you’ll burn more calories during and up to 24 hours after your workout.
Better Balance
Most leg press machines focus primarily on the quads, eliminating the glutes from the lift altogether. 90% of people already have stronger quads than glutes and hamstrings, so training quads only will amplify the muscular imbalance between opposing muscles in front and back, leading to low back and knee injuries.
Stronger Core
Doing a squat rather than a leg press will place your core under considerable stress, causing it to work hard to support your body during the lift. The result is your abs and core getting a better workout than they would with crunches.
Greater Stabilization
Because the leg press machine basically forces you into position, you rely very little on and stabilizing muscles, Squats on the other hand will force you to work your abductors, adductors and glute medius, adding to your overall lower body development, while helping to prevent injuries.
