Front Squats

Sylva · 06-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Would these be an ok exercise to substitute for leg extensions once and a while or not really the same muscle recruitment?

Thanks

Evidence · 06-30-2008, 05:37 PM

I am actually a huge supporter of front squats especially for athletic training purposes. Leg extensions on a machine are a no no in my book. Front squats can be very usefull for bodybuilding as well since it can really hit the "teardrop" in your lower part of your quads right above the knee. Have you ever seen the leg development in some olympic lifters, their knees are just overflowed with that thick quad development. It's tough to do them properly if you don't do them regularly, but if you can practice them and keep them in your regimine i would give them two thumbs up.

Plus this is ideal for a lot of women too since it takes a lot of tension off the glutes and puts it more on the quads. A lot of women looking to trim down, instead of building up have enjoyed the fact that they aren't developing their butts so to say. But again it all depends on what your goals are and what you are training for. Could you give us more info on your goals and current plan? Hope all is well.

P.S. Sylva, I absolutely love Evan Tanner! What a unique soul, i hope to meet him and shake his hand someday.

Sylva · 06-30-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evidence

I am actually a huge supporter of front squats especially for athletic training purposes. Leg extensions on a machine are a no no in my book. Front squats can be very usefull for bodybuilding as well since it can really hit the "teardrop" in your lower part of your quads right above the knee. Have you ever seen the leg development in some olympic lifters, their knees are just overflowed with that thick quad development. It's tough to do them properly if you don't do them regularly, but if you can practice them and keep them in your regimine i would give them two thumbs up.

Plus this is ideal for a lot of women too since it takes a lot of tension off the glutes and puts it more on the quads. A lot of women looking to trim down, instead of building up have enjoyed the fact that they aren't developing their butts so to say. But again it all depends on what your goals are and what you are training for. Could you give us more info on your goals and current plan? Hope all is well.

P.S. Sylva, I absolutely love Evan Tanner! What a unique soul, i hope to meet him and shake his hand someday.

Right now I'm just trying to add some muslce mass and improve my physice overall. However, I do actively compete and train MMA/BJJ on a regular basis. Though, as a whole. However, my overall training regimine right now is not geared towards that.

Feel free to look at my log if you would like.

Sylva's Training Log

KKAZ · 06-30-2008, 05:46 PM

I think one may get a lot more muscle recruitment from front squats as opposed to leg ext. Any squat, front or back, is always good to incorporate into a routine, due to more than one joint being involved.
Excellent choice.

CJB · 06-30-2008, 06:06 PM

I'd actually be looking at it from the opposite perspective. Especially since you're looking to add mass. Unless you're injured - squat. Then do the other stuff. Don't be enamored by the pump you get from leg extensions. I really can't think of many reasons to do leg extensions in favor of squatting.

Stephen · 06-30-2008, 06:39 PM

Front squats are the king of all lower body (and core) exercises IMO. Back squats are great, but unless you're preparing for a PL meet then the front squats will serve you better.

There is no need to ever fiddle with exercises like leg extensions. Stick to the key compound movements, and everything else will be rendered pointless.

JoeD · 06-30-2008, 07:43 PM

Front Squats > Leg ext

ILIEKFUDE · 06-30-2008, 08:19 PM

All leg ext's ever did for me was fuck up my knees. What do you like about them? Just curious.
Yeah id def do fronts or anything for that matter - instead of ext's.

Maxx Power · 06-30-2008, 08:51 PM

Yeah front squats are great but so are front hack squats, you have to watch your form though.

Sylva · 06-30-2008, 09:22 PM

Did some tonight, not super comfortable with them yet. Weren't terrible, just not used to them.

WonderWoman · 06-30-2008, 10:10 PM

I love front squats

saiyanjin · 06-30-2008, 11:07 PM

ive done alot of front squats. they are great for quad development, however i feel they took away from my glutes a bit compared to back squat, so i threw lunges in. great exercise.

Curious George · 06-30-2008, 11:13 PM

Honestly, aside from warming my legs up with light weight, Leg extensions do very little. They are not good for functional strength, they put you at a risk for knee injury because of the sheer force on the kneecap and do not develop really any size.

Front squats are cool because they are hard as hell to breath with heavier weights and easy to bail on if you can't get the weight up. Like a lot of people have said, the Olympic athletes do full squats only and they have amazing thigh development. I disagree with some that say they take the glutes out of the movement. If you have ever done full range front squats, they hit the glutes pretty damn good.

You won't be able to use as much weight as in the back squat, but it does do a lot for functional strength. Hell, Ben Johnson used to do these with reps of 405lbs before his races.

I hate leg extensions almost as much as the smith machine.

saiyanjin · 06-30-2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious George

Honestly, aside from warming my legs up with light weight, Leg extensions do very little. They are not good for functional strength, they put you at a risk for knee injury because of the sheer force on the kneecap and do not develop really any size.

Front squats are cool because they are hard as hell to breath with heavier weights and easy to bail on if you can't get the weight up. Like a lot of people have said, the Olympic athletes do full squats only and they have amazing thigh development. I disagree with some that say they take the glutes out of the movement. If you have ever done full range front squats, they hit the glutes pretty damn good.

You won't be able to use as much weight as in the back squat, but it does do a lot for functional strength. Hell, Ben Johnson used to do these with reps of 405lbs before his races.

I hate leg extensions almost as much as the smith machine.

i agree with you on leg extensions. ive only used them to burn out after im done with legs. i just said i felt like they didnt work my glutes that great, everyone is different

Curious George · 06-30-2008, 11:21 PM

Syl, have you ever tried one leg squats with your rear leg on a bench? Give that a try and tell me how the old buttocks feels my friend. Westside seems to like these. The balance part is rough, but once your body gets used to it and motor learning takes place, it's a great exercise.

JoeD · 06-30-2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curious George

Syl, have you ever tried one leg squats with your rear leg on a bench? Give that a try and tell me how the old buttocks feels my friend. Westside seems to like these. The balance part is rough, but once your body gets used to it and motor learning takes place, it's a great exercise.

Joe DeFranco loves though for his athletes. ive never seen anyone do bulgarian split squats @ westside. but since this guy is an athlete, they're definitely a great choice..they kick your ass!

i think front squats definitely hit the glutes-- but either way they will make your other core lifts stronger so work em in anyway. use all the tools you got.

ASGARDIAN · 06-30-2008, 11:44 PM

I really like doing Front Squats! I was taught to keep my elbows up and high throughout the whole lift. I found right away that this also helped strengthen my upper back. Right now, the only exercises i do for legs are Squats, Front Squats, Box Squats, and OH Squats. These exercises have helped me build up my leg size, strength, and explosiveness....
I'm training for strongman but still if you do Front Squats like an olympic lifter you will get alot stronger than leg extensions. Just use light weight to start and get the technique down. Also do some Box Squats and when you sit down "drive out of the gate" to standing position. This should help with your explosive drive in the legs. Oh Squats will do wonders for balance, core and overall strength.
I really respect MMA fighters. You guys train your asses off. Try some of these exercises and i know you'll notice the benefits right away.
Good luck to you.

06-30-2008, 05:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sylva Tired of being skinny! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KC, Where Glocks bucking is more common than birds chirping. Posts: 922 Rep Power: 130972	Front Squats Would these be an ok exercise to substitute for leg extensions once and a while or not really the same muscle recruitment? Thanks __________________ I haven't accomplished anything in this life worth remembering by playing it safe. That's boring to me anyway. Great accomplishment only comes with great risk. I’ll accept the crippling, gut wrenching disappointment of risking all, and failing, but only by putting my whole heart and soul, my whole being into something, will I have the chance to walk among the stars. Those who risk nothing, those who live their lives in fear, will never have that chance. Failure is not a sin. It’s being too afraid to even try, that is a sin. -Evan Tanner

06-30-2008, 05:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
KKAZ Savvy? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Over that horizon Posts: 559 Rep Power: 41821	I think one may get a lot more muscle recruitment from front squats as opposed to leg ext. Any squat, front or back, is always good to incorporate into a routine, due to more than one joint being involved. Excellent choice. __________________ K

06-30-2008, 08:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
ILIEKFUDE Indeed You Are Powerful.. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Death Star Posts: 2,714 Rep Power: 133797	All leg ext's ever did for me was fuck up my knees. What do you like about them? Just curious. Yeah id def do fronts or anything for that matter - instead of ext's. __________________ "Consider the Predator. Let your soul be armoured with Faith, driven on the tracks of obedience which overcomes all obstacles, and armed with the three great guns of Zeal, Duty and Purity." My Training Log

06-30-2008, 09:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sylva Tired of being skinny! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KC, Where Glocks bucking is more common than birds chirping. Posts: 922 Rep Power: 130972	Did some tonight, not super comfortable with them yet. Weren't terrible, just not used to them. __________________ I haven't accomplished anything in this life worth remembering by playing it safe. That's boring to me anyway. Great accomplishment only comes with great risk. I’ll accept the crippling, gut wrenching disappointment of risking all, and failing, but only by putting my whole heart and soul, my whole being into something, will I have the chance to walk among the stars. Those who risk nothing, those who live their lives in fear, will never have that chance. Failure is not a sin. It’s being too afraid to even try, that is a sin. -Evan Tanner

06-30-2008, 05:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Evidence Америка взяла мое золото Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,290 Rep Power: 85679	I am actually a huge supporter of front squats especially for athletic training purposes. Leg extensions on a machine are a no no in my book. Front squats can be very usefull for bodybuilding as well since it can really hit the "teardrop" in your lower part of your quads right above the knee. Have you ever seen the leg development in some olympic lifters, their knees are just overflowed with that thick quad development. It's tough to do them properly if you don't do them regularly, but if you can practice them and keep them in your regimine i would give them two thumbs up. Plus this is ideal for a lot of women too since it takes a lot of tension off the glutes and puts it more on the quads. A lot of women looking to trim down, instead of building up have enjoyed the fact that they aren't developing their butts so to say. But again it all depends on what your goals are and what you are training for. Could you give us more info on your goals and current plan? Hope all is well. P.S. Sylva, I absolutely love Evan Tanner! What a unique soul, i hope to meet him and shake his hand someday.

06-30-2008, 06:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
CJB Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 140 Rep Power: 92057	I'd actually be looking at it from the opposite perspective. Especially since you're looking to add mass. Unless you're injured - squat. Then do the other stuff. Don't be enamored by the pump you get from leg extensions. I really can't think of many reasons to do leg extensions in favor of squatting.

06-30-2008, 06:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stephen All Natural Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 103 Rep Power: 3995	Front squats are the king of all lower body (and core) exercises IMO. Back squats are great, but unless you're preparing for a PL meet then the front squats will serve you better. There is no need to ever fiddle with exercises like leg extensions. Stick to the key compound movements, and everything else will be rendered pointless.

06-30-2008, 07:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
JoeD Retired Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,013 Rep Power: 0	Front Squats > Leg ext

06-30-2008, 08:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Maxx Power Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 493 Rep Power: 42299	Yeah front squats are great but so are front hack squats, you have to watch your form though.

06-30-2008, 10:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
WonderWoman 36 days, 13 hours, 49 min Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mr.Meat's heart Posts: 4,571 Rep Power: 824454	I love front squats

06-30-2008, 11:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
saiyanjin Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: In the backwoods. Posts: 464 Rep Power: 10573	ive done alot of front squats. they are great for quad development, however i feel they took away from my glutes a bit compared to back squat, so i threw lunges in. great exercise.

06-30-2008, 11:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Curious George Moderator and Future CRNA Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,462 Rep Power: 24477	Honestly, aside from warming my legs up with light weight, Leg extensions do very little. They are not good for functional strength, they put you at a risk for knee injury because of the sheer force on the kneecap and do not develop really any size. Front squats are cool because they are hard as hell to breath with heavier weights and easy to bail on if you can't get the weight up. Like a lot of people have said, the Olympic athletes do full squats only and they have amazing thigh development. I disagree with some that say they take the glutes out of the movement. If you have ever done full range front squats, they hit the glutes pretty damn good. You won't be able to use as much weight as in the back squat, but it does do a lot for functional strength. Hell, Ben Johnson used to do these with reps of 405lbs before his races. I hate leg extensions almost as much as the smith machine.

06-30-2008, 11:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
Curious George Moderator and Future CRNA Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,462 Rep Power: 24477	Syl, have you ever tried one leg squats with your rear leg on a bench? Give that a try and tell me how the old buttocks feels my friend. Westside seems to like these. The balance part is rough, but once your body gets used to it and motor learning takes place, it's a great exercise.

06-30-2008, 11:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
ASGARDIAN Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 238 Rep Power: 26139	I really like doing Front Squats! I was taught to keep my elbows up and high throughout the whole lift. I found right away that this also helped strengthen my upper back. Right now, the only exercises i do for legs are Squats, Front Squats, Box Squats, and OH Squats. These exercises have helped me build up my leg size, strength, and explosiveness.... I'm training for strongman but still if you do Front Squats like an olympic lifter you will get alot stronger than leg extensions. Just use light weight to start and get the technique down. Also do some Box Squats and when you sit down "drive out of the gate" to standing position. This should help with your explosive drive in the legs. Oh Squats will do wonders for balance, core and overall strength. I really respect MMA fighters. You guys train your asses off. Try some of these exercises and i know you'll notice the benefits right away. Good luck to you.