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Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 05:05:33 AM

Title: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 05:05:33 AM
Need some asistance on a solid mass leg routine.......I enjoy (sorta) doing the 5x5 for squats to start then trying to add 5lbs each week.  I also like the dbell deads for hammys....our leg press is horrible, but we do have a decent hack squat machine.....would you keep the 5x5, go higher rep 8-10, sets, etc?

Thanks!
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Rimbaud on February 01, 2007, 06:27:27 AM
What routines have you tried? The only way I really "feel" it when I train legs is through moderate to high reps (15-50 reps per set). That being said I do low reps with smith machine squats & that's usually about five reps & it's all the way down (before I get flamed for doing smith machine squats - I only do them because of a hip problem). I will also do lower reps with front squats as well.

All that being said I have a feeling Lugar you'll get a bunch of responses & will either tell people they're wrong or just ignore what they tell you (Note: you give the impression you want help but seem to ignore everyone who tries to help you). I also think that based on everything I've read that you've posted about your overtraining, diet, & steroids I think it's going to be extremly hard for you to gain solid muscle mass right now.

BTW - aren't you pretty tall? If you are squats might not be the answer for your legs.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 01, 2007, 06:35:07 AM
Hey lugar. You are in luck because my wheels are my standout bodypart. I won't tell you how I built them though cause I know you won't follow my advice anyways. Good luck getting to 15 inches.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 06:48:45 AM
TRY ME PLEASE
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: jaejonna on February 01, 2007, 06:52:52 AM
TRY ME PLEASE


Warm up with leg extensions superset with lying leg curls 3 sets
Squats 6 sets
Lunges 4 sets
Leg Press 4 sets
Leg Extensions 3 sets
Stiff Legged Deads 3 sets
Lying Leg Curls 3 sets
Calf raises 5 sets (combo of 3 +2 on diffrent machines)

Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 01, 2007, 06:54:33 AM
Very well. First thing you have to do is eat more.

Then you follow a basic workout program which goes like this (once a week):

Leg extensions to warm up your quads: 5(sets) x 20(reps)
squats: 5 sets of high reps. You must push yourself here. at least 12-30 reps. Don't worry about weight adjust it to keep the higher reps going.
leg presses or front squats: 5 sets of 12-30 reps

Then you can do 10 sets of leg curls.

Calves also go well with higher reps. Do up to 20 sets with nice stretch and pose at the bottom and top.

Good luck.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 07:42:32 AM
HERE'S MY TODAY'S ROUTINE THEN:


Leg extensions to warm up your quads: 5(sets) x 20(reps)

squats: 5 sets of high reps. 15,12,12,12,10

HACK CLOSE FEET SQUAT: 5 sets of 12-30 reps

5 sets of leg curls.
3 SETS DBELL DEADS


THEN CALVES
 
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 01, 2007, 07:45:03 AM
That looks much better. Don't stop once you reach the number of reps you wanted to do. Keep going.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Option D on February 01, 2007, 07:49:34 AM


Warm up with leg extensions superset with lying leg curls 3 sets
Squats 6 sets
Lunges 4 sets
Leg Press 4 sets
Leg Extensions 3 sets
Stiff Legged Deads 3 sets
Lying Leg Curls 3 sets
Calf raises 5 sets (combo of 3 +2 on diffrent machines)



This is the exact work out i do for my legs but i actually split them into 2 days. To keep focus high i split quads and hams.


But i use the exact movements but with the stiff leg deads i use dumbbells instead of the barbbell. I use the bar on back day.

So its like
Squats
Front squats
Leg Extension
Lunges
Calves

And then 4 days later its
Standing one leg curl
Lying leg curls (one leg)
Lying leg curls (both legs)
Stiff leg Deads w/ Dumbbell
and maybe some lunges


I also have to break it up because when i trained the whole leg in one day i couldnt walk for 4 days.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: natural al on February 01, 2007, 07:55:42 AM


Warm up with leg extensions superset with lying leg curls 3 sets
Squats 6 sets
Lunges 4 sets
Leg Press 4 sets
Leg Extensions 3 sets
Stiff Legged Deads 3 sets
Lying Leg Curls 3 sets
Calf raises 5 sets (combo of 3 +2 on diffrent machines)



no offense but that's too much volume.  I'm assuming lugar is natty, if not then you're routine listed by JJ is fine if not...well I wouldn't do that much work.

If you want to stick with a traditional routine, go with something like max-ot is laid out.  Do a couple of warm up sets for your first movement, like squats and then do 2 "heavy as possible" sets for 6-8 reps, if you can get more than 8 reps it's too light, under 6 it's too heavy.  You should be able to progress up in weight at a nice pace using this method.  Second movement should be hack squats since you have access to one, jump right into your heavy sets and do 2-3 sets in the same fashion.  

If you have to do hams on the same day pick 2 movements and do the same thing as listed above, you're hams might be warmed up from the quad work, if so jump right in if not warm up on the first movement.

calfs are a different story all together, I'll post a calf routine when I have more time.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 08:06:25 AM
HERE'S MY TODAY'S ROUTINE THEN:


Leg extensions to warm up your quads: 5(sets) x 20(reps)

squats: 5 sets of high reps. 15,12,8,8,6
HACK CLOSE FEET SQUAT: 5 sets of 12-30 reps

5 sets of leg curls.
3 SETS DBELL DEADS


THEN CALVES
 

SO DO i NEED TO CHANGE THE REP SCHEME LIKE THIS??
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 01, 2007, 08:08:42 AM
SO DO i NEED TO CHANGE THE REP SCHEME LIKE THIS??

Don't listen to natural al. He has never posted a pic and brags about being built like bast. AND bast is the guy in my avatar... Make your own conclusions.

(http://www.alexrykov.com/xtra/bast.jpg)
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Lugar on February 01, 2007, 08:21:47 AM
fOR TODAY - THIS IS PLENTY...WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.



Leg extensions to warm up your quads: 3(sets) x 20(reps)

Squats: 5 sets of high reps. 12,10,8,8,6

HACK CLOSE FEET SQUAT: 5 sets of 12-30 reps

5 sets of leg curls.

3 SETS DBELL DEADS


THEN CALVES
 

Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: natural al on February 01, 2007, 09:24:13 AM
Don't listen to natural al. He has never posted a pic and brags about being built like bast. AND bast is the guy in my avatar... Make your own conclusions.

(http://www.alexrykov.com/xtra/bast.jpg)

alexxx you're a idiot.  I never bragged about being built like bast, I said we're about the same height.  That's about it as far as similarities go.  Man, I was actually feeling sorry for you for taking so much abuse about your sister...what the hell was I thinking.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Rimbaud on February 01, 2007, 09:25:37 AM
Don't listen to natural al. He has never posted a pic and brags about being built like bast. AND bast is the guy in my avatar... Make your own conclusions.

(http://www.alexrykov.com/xtra/bast.jpg)

Actrually alexxx Basts' quads are fine...just his calves suck.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: davie on February 01, 2007, 09:42:16 AM
Im just having to change my quad work due to lack of weight on couple machines, but until a couple of weeks ago it was:

After warm ups etc....

1).leg extensions going for 15 rep target b4 i up weight he next time,10 second rest then go again for as many as i can, fail 10 second rest (rest/pause) then go until failure again. i beat my target like every week & upped the weight pretty much every week.

2). BAck Squat (target 12 reps), go to failure, rest/pause, go to failure again. Drop weight 35%, then go to failure, rest/pause then go to failure again.

3). On leg leg press (15 rep target)...same as above.

I have finished that in 30 minutes before, and was completely nackered. Very intense.

Run out of weight on leg extension machine (only goes to 100kg's),and almost run out of weight on on leg leg press (machine only goes to 150kg's).

davie
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Herc on February 01, 2007, 10:16:15 AM
Ive got good results with fairly high rep squats.  I do one warm up set then one set of 8-10 reps and one of 20-30 reps.  Most people dont really go till failure on squats espessially the high rep ones.  I pick a wieght most people my strenth would stop at about ten reps and do 20 or 30.  Sometimes I have a hard time walking afterwards.  I pause between each rep and keep forcing another rep. This works good but a lot of people dont have the mental ability to push that hard.  My workout partner is stronger on legs then me but stops after about 10 reps with the same wieght ill do for 30 or more.  in the last few weeks my legs have grown about an inch doing this.  If you were to go that intense make sure you breath right and a lot because youl need a lot of oxegen.  This is just what has worked for me, im sure there are a lot of things that work so just try different things.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Jeff Miller on February 02, 2007, 08:05:37 AM
Alexxx, why are you giving advice on legs?  Unless your pics are a gimmick, your legs suck.


Lugar, so you want size or strength?  That's your first decision.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 02, 2007, 10:12:18 AM
Alexxx, why are you giving advice on legs?  Unless your pics are a gimmick, your legs suck.


Lugar, so you want size or strength?  That's your first decision.


Care to a posedown? No? That's what I thought. Jeff Miller you sound like the only six pack you have is in the fridge!
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: pumpster on February 02, 2007, 10:53:50 AM
Alexxx, why are you giving advice on legs?  Unless your pics are a gimmick, your legs suck.


Lugar, so you want size or strength?  That's your first decision.


U took the words outta my mouth. This Alexxx acts like he's a wise old sage with tons of experience, has everything figured out. 

Then you look at the pics... :-\
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Swole0565 on February 02, 2007, 12:01:36 PM
The first thing I offer to someone wanting bigger legs is to ask them, Do you REALLY want bigger legs, or would it just be nice if you had them? 

Legs are a muscle group of high tolerance.  It takes a balance of both intensity and volume to get them to grow for most, and while many choose to view themselves as hardgainers, it most usually is the fact that they aren't willing to embrace the discomfort that comes from training their legs to grow, IMO.

Here is a favorite quad routine that worked for me...

Warmup by supersetting extensions and curls, ATERNATING each leg per rep.

*Barbell lunges-
Start w/ a light weight...even just a bar for 10 reps
Increase the weight each set, until the 10 reps aren't met, no matter how many sets it takes.

*Front Squats-
Choose a weight heavier than the last lunge set...aim for 6-8 reps.
Again, Increase the weight per set until the weight at 6 reps is a struggle.

*Regular Squats-
Choose a weight heavier than the last set of front squats... aim for 3-5 reps

This routine may seem to be too much, but consider the following...
Each excercise offers pre-exhaustion for the next ='ing great intensity.
The natural progreesion of weight from excercise to excercise = no wasted sets, as each set serves as it's own working set PLUS the warmup for the next!
By the workload always increasing, once blood is forced into the muscle, it is captured there, due to the synergistic effect of the progression.  That's what translates to volume.

Keep in mind, this routine is not based upon a dogmatic rep range.  It can be done for high reps or low reps!  Whatever your preference.  And as far as sets, in my own workouts, I've found that usually 4 sets of lunges, 2-3 sets of Front Squats and 2-3 sets of Regular Squats are sufficient, as long as the selected increased weight stays w/i the rep range.

If anyone's interested in knowing more, let me know.  Hope this helps!
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: slaveboy1980 on February 02, 2007, 02:45:16 PM
squat...go insane in the squat rack..high volume. split quads and hamstrings up

Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Cap on February 02, 2007, 02:53:44 PM
Need some asistance on a solid mass leg routine.......I enjoy (sorta) doing the 5x5 for squats to start then trying to add 5lbs each week.  I also like the dbell deads for hammys....our leg press is horrible, but we do have a decent hack squat machine.....would you keep the 5x5, go higher rep 8-10, sets, etc?

Thanks!

I have this problem too and since I have dropped the weight, gone ass to the grass on every leg exercise, the legs have responded.  I also agree with Alexxx, go higher reps but keep increasing the weight.  Bluto gave good imput how higher reps increase volume in the legs.  Keep in up.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Jeff Miller on February 03, 2007, 12:55:04 AM
Care to a posedown? No? That's what I thought. Jeff Miller you sound like the only six pack you have is in the fridge!

You're an idiot.  My pics are around -- do a search.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: GoneAway on February 03, 2007, 05:37:10 AM
Stiff Leg Deads, Leg Curls, Squats and Leg Press.

Vary reps high to low depending on how you feel. Stick mostly to 6 - 12 rep range. Just my 0.2.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 03, 2007, 11:17:08 AM
You're an idiot.  My pics are around -- do a search.

I understand you are scared. It is ok. After all many have fallen in an attempt to challenge me.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: jpm101 on February 03, 2007, 12:45:23 PM
Might want to drop regular squats for awhile, not always for everyone with regards to quad/leg development. Try a different approach to leg workouts.

Might try:

1) Front squats..elbows held high up for better balance. Option is to have the heels on a 2" block, BB plate, etc...
2) BB Hack squats...heels on a 2" block or a pair of 45's, etc.
3) Step-up's...helps to insure balance of development  between the right & left legs. Step-ups are not the same as one legged squats, though both has it's place in an all around leg program. Could also consider Bulgarian squats.
4)Sissy squats.Very affective for an ultimate stretch for the quads and added muscular size. Last exercise done on this program to fry the quads.
     2 sets each of 7-12 reps
 
Ham's

1) GoodMornings...keeping the spine and back straight throughout the movement. Will limit the distance of the stretch but can focus more of the Ham's themselves. Can also raise the toes on a 2" block for an added stretch.
1) Lying leg curl-manual resistance...one leg at a time.  Lay on a higher bench and have a training Bud apply resistance as you attempt to curl the leg up and all the way to the butt. Can also have the person helping you use a long folded towel rather than the hands.
2 sets of 7-12 reps. Good Luck.
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Jeff Miller on February 04, 2007, 01:55:33 AM
I understand you are scared. It is ok. After all many have fallen in an attempt to challenge me.

Arguing with you is like punching a severely retarded person
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 04, 2007, 07:40:53 AM
Arguing with you is like punching a severely retarded person

Well then good thing you got your head on straight ::) (http://racerxband.com/board/images/avatars/211587638742c0169de7247.gif)
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: Rimbaud on February 04, 2007, 08:11:24 AM
I won't tell you how I built them though cause I know you won't follow my advice anyways.

Very true. He won't follow any advice. I like it when we agree.  ;D
Title: Re: My Legs Suck (WEAK!)
Post by: alexxx on February 04, 2007, 08:13:12 AM
Very true. He won't follow any advice. I like it when we agree.  ;D

It's not only him. Lots of guys pm me for advice and don't follow it. No wonder Arnold was playing pranks on their candy asses!