Squats or Leg Press?

Euro_Hunter · 22 May 2006 at 18:28

I am going to buy myself either a leg press machine or Hack Squat machine not quite sure which yet.

Anyone got any thoughts or suggestions to help me make my mind up?

The squat machine is nearly twice the price of the leg press plus I will need to buy about 100kg of olympic weights to use with it.

I have about £500 to spend but I am tempted by a pair of these dumbells that I would be able to afford if I got the leg press:

Euro_Hunter · 22 May 2006 at 18:42

Tony Soprano said:
Is there any reason why you want a squat machine over a squat rack? Since squats work out more than just your legs, I'd choose that over the leg press. But I'd get a squat rack and then buy whatever weights you want from the rest of your budget.

I have a bench that has a squat rack but to be honest I don't feel safe trying heavy squats as I train alone. So safety is the main reason, then maybe I will be able to squat or press to failure.

Space is another factor otherwise I would probably get a smith machine or similar.

Euro_Hunter · 22 May 2006 at 22:23

Tony Soprano said:
I hear you I have to improvise at home since I don't have a squat rack at all, and like you I train alone so I'm always careful that something serious doesn't happen. It affects how much weight I'm happy to lift over my head onto my shoulders to start the squats.

I used to squat by lifting the weight overhead trouble is when you've just done a 20 rep set even with relatively light weight theres not much energy left for lifting the bar back :eek:

Euro_Hunter · 23 May 2006 at 17:33

Not really got the space for a power cage.

I have a std size bench and freeweights & a Gold's multigym which I use for pulldowns, rowing & tricep pushdowns in my spare bedroom & computer desk so thats full.

Only got a small amount of space available in the garage and thats with some serious clearing out

Euro_Hunter · 29 May 2006 at 00:31

I have now decided against the squat machine/leg press idea & I am going to dump my current bench/multi gym for a power rack like the one below and a incline/decline bench but still using my std 12 weights just need a 7ft bar.

Euro_Hunter · 29 May 2006 at 14:50

Balddog said:
I wouldnt trust 1000lbs over my head on that legpress machine up top..

Its only rated up to 400lb, but I don't think most of us could press that anyway.

Euro_Hunter · 29 May 2006 at 15:07

Goatboy said:
Are you sure its 400lb and not kilos?

In the picture it has more than 400lbs on it and I'd be suprised if anyone who could squat 200lbs couldn't easily move 400 on that.

Manufacturers info:
http://www.bodysolid.co.uk/asp/product.asp?recorprod=1&product=408&cat=317&ph=&keywords=&recor=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=0