So many people don’t get this. Choosing to do something hard is like weight training for your mind. Your willpower needs reps too. I’m not saying people that choose not to squat are “weaker” mentally than those that do embrace the suck, but I’m not, not saying either.
@jayaraj Idk how downvoted this will get but I’ve found that if I replace squatting with leg press my leg size and strength goes down exponentially, even while continuing other leg exercises such as RDLs in a balanced program. Maybe practice air squats and add load or just do box squats
@jayaraj There is something i get from squats that I don't get from other leg exercises. It isn't that squats will develop my legs more than other exercises either. It ties quads, hamstrings, lower back and glutes together in one movement. Unsure if having these muscles work together in a movement adds something extra, but i feel like it does. As long as I physically can squat I will. But if i couldn't i would be okay with leg press and other iso legs exercises.
@jayaraj I stopped squatting over a year ago, as in barbell squatting. I do lunges, RDL's, goblet squats, calf raises and thats it, my legs have grown just fine.
@jayaraj Squats are not the ultimate leg builders… but it just feels SO DAMN GOOD to squat. I will always squat. Who cares about “optimal for building muscle.” They’re optimal for building strength.
@francoadham Yes, and while the back squat is a good strength builder, it’s ludicrous suggest it’s so much better than other safer forms of squat or the Bulgarian split squat which enables much safer progressive overload
@savedbygrace123 Ive done both Smith Squats and normal Squats. I hate both lol. My balance goes horrible in a barbell squat and in a Smith Squat....I just feel nothing. Its basically a cardio exercise not a Quad one. My gym doesnt have a hack squat....so Leg Press is my only friend.
There are a few studies that ive seen about Squats > Leg Press. Thats why im concerned.
@savedbygrace123 Bulgarian split squats will give you that ROM and enable a much safer form of progressive overload while ensuring one side isn’t compensating for the other as can happen with a back squat, leading to a lot of trouble down the line. In fact for me, Bulgarian split squats are king of the quad exercises.