My legs are weak

[chipvideo]

I decided to do squats today. I haven't done them in about 6-7 years. I was only able to do 3 sets of 10 reps at 225. I didn't have a belt so I didn't want to risk my low back. I did notice that my heart rate was up the entire time. My lungs were on fire. I guess I am more out of shape than I thought. Kind of bummed out. I thought I would be able to do much more. Looks like leg press is history for me. Squats way more taxing than leg press.

[Onerepmaximum]

Hell yeah maing. Squats are going to help a lot of things. You still might want to throw in leg press after you do squats if you want to keep the volume up.

[chipvideo]

Originally Posted by onerepmaximum

Hell yeah maing. Squats are going to help a lot of things. You still might want to throw in leg press after you do squats if you want to keep the volume up.

Thats what I am thinking. Squats, hack squats then leg press then extension.

[Onerepmaximum]

Sounds like a solid plan. Do you plan to do hammies the same day?

[chipvideo]

Originally Posted by onerepmaximum

Sounds like a solid plan. Do you plan to do hammies the same day?

Oh yes. I do them same day. I only do lying leg curls and seated leg curls. Was thinking about adding strait leg deads. Haven't done those in a while. I am nervous doing them would re injure my low back. If I do them would it be best to only go down half way?

[Jumbo]

my current leg routine is 5x5 squats
3x6 leg press
3x8 leg extension
3x8 leg curls i mix it up now and then but thats my basic routine.......it works for me. squats are definitely the bread and butter of leg day though, i've learned to luv them.

[StrappingYoungLad]

Originally Posted by chipvideo

Oh yes. I do them same day. I only do lying leg curls and seated leg curls. Was thinking about adding strait leg deads. Haven't done those in a while. I am nervous doing them would re injure my low back. If I do them would it be best to only go down half way?

Do them with your knees slightly bent.You don't need to go all that far down.Think more of pushing your pelvis forward than hinging at your lower back.Experiment until you can feel that you're pushing with your hammies,rather than extending your back.This puts the emphasis on the hams,so I would include regular deads as well,as there is no better movement for getting big and strong,IMO.

[Onerepmaximum]

If you have had a back injury, just make sure you don't overdo the weight on the SLDL's. I would say the heaviest weight that you do full range of motion with perfect form.

[chipvideo]

Originally Posted by StrappingYoungLad

Do them with your knees slightly bent.You don't need to go all that far down.Think more of pushing your pelvis forward than hinging at your lower back.Experiment until you can feel that you're pushing with your hammies,rather than extending your back.This puts the emphasis on the hams,so I would include regular deads as well,as there is no better movement for getting big and strong,IMO.

Oh I know that deads and squats are the mother of size exercises. I just felt the need to stay away from them for a long while. Probably a good idea. Probably going to start deads in a squat rack on wed.

[hanuri]

Originally Posted by chipvideo

I decided to do squats today. I haven't done them in about 6-7 years. I was only able to do 3 sets of 10 reps at 225. I didn't have a belt so I didn't want to risk my low back. I did notice that my heart rate was up the entire time. My lungs were on fire. I guess I am more out of shape than I thought. Kind of bummed out. I thought I would be able to do much more. Looks like leg press is history for me. Squats way more taxing than leg press.

In what range u were back in those good ole days of squatting? Do u do anything sort of cardio for lungs? There could have been more in store but that 10x reps was too much for your lunges. When they give up everything else goes as well....( not talking about reps 1-5x).
From my own experience I can tell that good aerobic shape means a lot in training. A mix with weights and aerobics is the winning combination in all around good shape!
A hint if u decide to seriously try king squat; do hamstrings at least as much as u do the front thights( perhaps in it´s own session). That part of the leg does the hardest work when u stop at the bottom and start to rise again.
Many make the mistake by doing just a few quick sets in the end of leg session. If I do hams in same session with front thights , I do them first. Nowdays I have one or two sessions just for hams and only one for frontal thights. Let us know how you´re doing in the future...