[Rekk'd]

The importance of Squats and Deadlifts is just bro science that still hasn't died out.

Why I don't do them and do only leg press:
1- They are tough compound movements that tax the body and central nervous system too much making me perform less on other key compound lifts.
2- Upper leg muscles are really big and demand alot of protein to grow, I'd rather have my resources targeted more towards my upper body.
3- I think big legs look bad, they look terrible actually.
4- They are the easiest compound lifts to progress on, giving most guys ego boosts due to the really heavy weights they do.
5- High risk of injury when going for PRs
6- Girls don't look at my legs but rather my shoulders, chest, arms and back for the V shape.
7- When I was doing Squats n Deadlifts it was a nightmare trying to find pants or jeans that weren't too tight at the upper leg area.

I however only increase reps or weight on leg press when I feel I need to maintain a good ratio between upper and lower body.

[RedPillUK]

(03-12-2017 12:47 PM)Rekkd Wrote:  

The importance of Squats and Deadlifts is just bro science that still hasn't died out.

Why I don't do them and do only leg press:
1- They are tough compound movements that tax the body and central nervous system too much making me perform less on other key compound lifts.
2- Upper leg muscles are really big and demand alot of protein to grow, I'd rather have my resources targeted more towards my upper body.
3- I think big legs look bad, they look terrible actually.
4- They are the easiest compound lifts to progress on, giving most guys ego boosts due to the really heavy weights they do.
5- High risk of injury when going for PRs
6- Girls don't look at my legs but rather my shoulders, chest, arms and back for the V shape.
7- When I was doing Squats n Deadlifts it was a nightmare trying to find pants or jeans that weren't too tight at the upper leg area.

I however only increase reps or weight on leg press when I feel I need to maintain a good ratio between upper and lower body.

It might be bro science but what you just posted was pure


Especially the bits about how "girls don't look at my legs" and "I think big legs look bad."

[birthday cat]

(03-12-2017 12:47 PM)Rekkd Wrote:  

The importance of Squats and Deadlifts is just bro science that still hasn't died out.

Why I don't do them and do only leg press:
1- They are tough compound movements that tax the body and central nervous system too much making me perform less on other key compound lifts.
2- Upper leg muscles are really big and demand alot of protein to grow, I'd rather have my resources targeted more towards my upper body.
3- I think big legs look bad, they look terrible actually.
4- They are the easiest compound lifts to progress on, giving most guys ego boosts due to the really heavy weights they do.
5- High risk of injury when going for PRs
6- Girls don't look at my legs but rather my shoulders, chest, arms and back for the V shape.
7- When I was doing Squats n Deadlifts it was a nightmare trying to find pants or jeans that weren't too tight at the upper leg area.

I however only increase reps or weight on leg press when I feel I need to maintain a good ratio between upper and lower body.

#1 This only applies to heavy squats and deadlifts. You can also do these lifts last in your workout so they don't interfere with your other lifts.
#2 It is correct that these lifts require a lot of calories to progress.
#3 Wrong
#4 Wrong
#5 This isn't necessarily wrong but it isn't much different for any compound lifts. However, most people don't need to go for PRs often or ever.
#6 Wrong. I have had several girls tell me how they laugh at guys who have huge upper bodies and no butt or legs.
#7 This is the only one that I agree with completely. Fortunately I know some good tailors.

Rekk'd - I'm not trying to give you a hard time but I'm skeptical about your numbers. Pull-ups are one of my strongest exercises and I don't know if I can do +90 lbs for 5 reps with a full range of motion but I could leg press 300 pounds for dozens of reps and you are only doing 7. Even if you focus mostly on upper body I don't understand how the differences could be so big. And you went from not being able to do 1 pull-up to putting up some big upper body numbers for a 183 pound guy in 1 year. Something seems off. I wonder if you are doing half-reps on your upper body lifts.

To answer your question, if your problem is that your "muscles don't look as big as they should" then you need lighter weights and more volume. Possibly a bodybuilding program that will have more isolation work and possibly more days per week in the gym.

[Rekk'd]

(03-12-2017 03:12 PM)birthday cat Wrote:  

(03-12-2017 12:47 PM)Rekkd Wrote:  

The importance of Squats and Deadlifts is just bro science that still hasn't died out.

Why I don't do them and do only leg press:
1- They are tough compound movements that tax the body and central nervous system too much making me perform less on other key compound lifts.
2- Upper leg muscles are really big and demand alot of protein to grow, I'd rather have my resources targeted more towards my upper body.
3- I think big legs look bad, they look terrible actually.
4- They are the easiest compound lifts to progress on, giving most guys ego boosts due to the really heavy weights they do.
5- High risk of injury when going for PRs
6- Girls don't look at my legs but rather my shoulders, chest, arms and back for the V shape.
7- When I was doing Squats n Deadlifts it was a nightmare trying to find pants or jeans that weren't too tight at the upper leg area.

I however only increase reps or weight on leg press when I feel I need to maintain a good ratio between upper and lower body.

#1 This only applies to heavy squats and deadlifts. You can also do these lifts last in your workout so they don't interfere with your other lifts.
#2 It is correct that these lifts require a lot of calories to progress.
#3 Wrong
#4 Wrong
#5 This isn't necessarily wrong but it isn't much different for any compound lifts. However, most people don't need to go for PRs often or ever.
#6 Wrong. I have had several girls tell me how they laugh at guys who have huge upper bodies and no butt or legs.
#7 This is the only one that I agree with completely. Fortunately I know some good tailors.

Rekk'd - I'm not trying to give you a hard time but I'm skeptical about your numbers. Pull-ups are one of my strongest exercises and I don't know if I can do +90 lbs for 5 reps with a full range of motion but I could leg press 300 pounds for dozens of reps and you are only doing 7. Even if you focus mostly on upper body I don't understand how the differences could be so big. And you went from not being able to do 1 pull-up to putting up some big upper body numbers for a 183 pound guy in 1 year. Something seems off. I wonder if you are doing half-reps on your upper body lifts.

To answer your question, if your problem is that your "muscles don't look as big as they should" then you need lighter weights and more volume. Possibly a bodybuilding program that will have more isolation work and possibly more days per week in the gym.

I don't do the normal pull-ups that would be insane, however, I only do neutral grip pull-ups. Today I did 95 Ibs on my first set for 4 reps (could have went for 5th but decided to save energy for the rest), 70Ibs 6 reps in set 2 and 45 Ibs 8 reps in set 3.

Now I understand that you are skeptical about the info and stats I'm providing but I assure you it's all real and I'm here for advice and help to get bigger. Now how do I lift so heavy, the secret is very simple .. I started with the lat pulldown machine until I could do my body weight for 10-12 reps, then I switched to weighted neutral grip pull-ups, if i remember correctly I added like 15 or 20 pounds the first time. Now my workout plan is I do all my exercises 6 times a month, and I increase my pull-ups by 2.5 Ibs each time, that's 15 Ibs a month. Since it's very hard to add a rep or two on weighted pull-ups that was the best method for me to progress, same amount of reps but very little increase in weight each time.

The difference in body strength between upper and lower is not that big. I can do WAY! more on leg press but I always finish the set early, this is because currently I'm trying to maintain my leg size and not grow. Actually legs are one of my strongest along with back and upper chest, and I can progress so fast on them but I choose not to.

I believe I do need more volume to grow, but I'm not sure about the lower weights.

[Irenicus]

#1 Incline bench press is also a ''tough compound movement'' which taxes muscles and CNS. Just like squats and deadlift. What kind of excuse is that?

#2 Your body, your choice. If you like to look like Johnny Bravo, go ahead. But remember one thing...people in the gym will laugh behind your back. First hand experience.

#3 Ok... .

#4 Whatever you say man...whatever you say... .

#5 Doing PR's on a incline bench press is no less dangerous than doing them on squats, for example. If a bar falls down to your chest (God forbid!), there will be no more Rekk'd.

#6 What Birthday Cat said.

#7 If you squat like 200 kg (and you develop butt which makes almost every girl wet in 100km radius), then yes, I agree.




Don't take it personal, man. A lot of what you said is sadly,no bro science rebuttal. It is bro science. Anyone who is experienced in fitness will more less agree with what Birthday Cat and myself have written. I suggest that you follow fitness Youtube channels ( I personally follow Buff Dudes, Jason Blaha, Omarlsuf and Alpha Destiny). Pick some of their starting programs, follow it to the T, and you will be golden. You will get big and strong!


Oh, by the way, my legs were much stronger than the upper body when I went to the gym (due to bicycle). Had no problems.

[Rekk'd]

(03-12-2017 05:52 PM)Irenicus Wrote:  

#1 Incline bench press is also a ''tough compound movement'' which taxes muscles and CNS. Just like squats and deadlift. What kind of excuse is that?

#2 Your body, your choice. If you like to look like Johnny Bravo, go ahead. But remember one thing...people in the gym will laugh behind your back. First hand experience.

#3 Ok... .

#4 Whatever you say man...whatever you say... .

#5 Doing PR's on a incline bench press is no less dangerous than doing them on squats, for example. If a bar falls down to your chest (God forbid!), there will be no more Rekk'd.

#6 What Birthday Cat said.

#7 If you squat like 200 kg (and you develop butt which makes almost every girl wet in 100km radius), then yes, I agree.




Don't take it personal, man. A lot of what you said is sadly,no bro science rebuttal. It is bro science. Anyone who is experienced in fitness will more less agree with what Birthday Cat and myself have written. I suggest that you follow fitness Youtube channels ( I personally follow Buff Dudes, Jason Blaha, Omarlsuf and Alpha Destiny). Pick some of their starting programs, follow it to the T, and you will be golden. You will get big and strong!


Oh, by the way, my legs were much stronger than the upper body when I went to the gym (due to bicycle). Had no problems.

1- I know, the goal is to grow my chest thus I have no problem with incline taxing my CNS, you missed the point.
2- I have said it several times I do leg press to maintain a balance between upper and lower, whenever I feel my upper body is getting bigger, I increase the weight on leg presses to makeup for it.
5- Yes its very dangerous ofc, but I'd rather do one risky exercise than 3
6- I'm not huge on top with chicken legs lol, I have good proportions .. I will take a picture to show what my body looks like.

Anyways thx for your opinion

[alexdagr81]

(03-12-2017 12:47 PM)Rekkd Wrote:  

The importance of Squats and Deadlifts is just bro science that still hasn't died out.

Why I don't do them and do only leg press:
1- They are tough compound movements that tax the body and central nervous system too much making me perform less on other key compound lifts.
2- Upper leg muscles are really big and demand alot of protein to grow, I'd rather have my resources targeted more towards my upper body.
3- I think big legs look bad, they look terrible actually.
4- They are the easiest compound lifts to progress on, giving most guys ego boosts due to the really heavy weights they do.
5- High risk of injury when going for PRs
6- Girls don't look at my legs but rather my shoulders, chest, arms and back for the V shape.
7- When I was doing Squats n Deadlifts it was a nightmare trying to find pants or jeans that weren't too tight at the upper leg area.

I however only increase reps or weight on leg press when I feel I need to maintain a good ratio between upper and lower body.

These are just terrible excuses (some of them not even true). Like really they tax the CNS too much? Try sprinting, a vertical jump or a broad jump.

[alexdagr81]

delete

[birthday cat]

(03-12-2017 05:32 PM)Rekkd Wrote:  

I don't do the normal pull-ups that would be insane, however, I only do neutral grip pull-ups. Today I did 95 Ibs on my first set for 4 reps (could have went for 5th but decided to save energy for the rest), 70Ibs 6 reps in set 2 and 45 Ibs 8 reps in set 3.

Now I understand that you are skeptical about the info and stats I'm providing but I assure you it's all real and I'm here for advice and help to get bigger. Now how do I lift so heavy, the secret is very simple .. I started with the lat pulldown machine until I could do my body weight for 10-12 reps, then I switched to weighted neutral grip pull-ups, if i remember correctly I added like 15 or 20 pounds the first time. Now my workout plan is I do all my exercises 6 times a month, and I increase my pull-ups by 2.5 Ibs each time, that's 15 Ibs a month. Since it's very hard to add a rep or two on weighted pull-ups that was the best method for me to progress, same amount of reps but very little increase in weight each time.

The difference in body strength between upper and lower is not that big. I can do WAY! more on leg press but I always finish the set early, this is because currently I'm trying to maintain my leg size and not grow. Actually legs are one of my strongest along with back and upper chest, and I can progress so fast on them but I choose not to.

I believe I do need more volume to grow, but I'm not sure about the lower weights.

Rekk'd - you are putting up some great numbers especially for someone who has been training for a short time.

I don't think I will convince you to do more squats but that is what I would do instead of leg press. Maybe some light front squats because those will expose imbalances or weaknesses you have with mobility or posture.

Have you considered learning any power movements? Are you explosive? How is your jumping ability? A lot of times when guys can get strong in a short time, they are also blessed with the ability to produce a lot of power. Maybe try some power cleans for sets of 3. Those probably won't add too much size to your legs.

When I say less weight and more volume, I mean a little less weight so you can do a lot more volume. It seems that you are usually doing setsbof 5 but sets of 10, 15 or 20 are better for size. Some of the bodybuilder guys on here will know more about that than me.