replacing leg press with squats?

So I'm beginning hypertrophy training now, and to start I'm doing a straight forward fullbody workout 3 days a week. It lists leg presses and doesn't include squats, plus I workout at home and don't have a leg press machine. Can I just substitute squats for leg presses? It's basically the same muscle groups is it not?

The leg press is basically the same with varying degrees of supporting muscles and other added benefits such as.. increased GH production, weight bearing load for bone health, testosterone stimulation and overall just a full body blast.

Okay.. that's not exactly the same.

They both work the quads and the lower you go on each, more hams and glutes are involved.

But you don't need to balance on the leg press...

Enough.. sorry I'm ranting.  You can grab Strength Training Anatomy to see the finer details.

If you can squat at home, safety and you know how to squat.. then by all means do squats vs. the leg press.

The leg press is a nice machine for many things, including beginners who may not have or don't know, or don't feel comfortable squatting but if that's not you, then go for it.

Just be smart, use the safety stuff, and if you don't know how to squat, learn the very basics before loading up the bar and posting a " Hey look at me do 315 lb" squat video.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

Yeah- Just start out with light weight, the squat is an all around more productive movement than the leg press, leg presses are a great exercise IMO, but that's if you do them for the right reasons. Some people leg press just to brag about a big number, don't do it for that, do it for quad development.

Include squats, they should come before leg presses anyway due to the mass they put on you. Learn the squat form first, learn how to drive with your hips and always go as low as possible.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

important to note that the stabiliser muscles are used in squats, but not the leg press.
so if u leg press heavy, then transfer to heavy squats, its likely you could strain your stabiliser muscles. same goes for all machines in relation to free weights, esp smith to free weight bench

After a few months: 

Weight: 177lbs

6 reps 
Deadlift: 300lbs
Squat: 240lbs
Bench: on hold. Rotator cuff injury 

I would say, it's good that you don't have a leg press machine at home. Start using light weights with the squats, and progressively work the weights up.

5'8.1"
Age = 20 
started in February 16th 2007: 58kg (127.6lbs)
current : around 79-80kg (173.8lb-176lb)

leg press doesnt even come close to comparing to the squat.

Find a way to squat, where theres a will, theres a way.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

BUT !

If you never ever squatted, start very light squat.
If you have back problems, leg problems (knee) of weak glutes...stick to leg press and do some dumbell squat with a swiss ball for example...

People want to squat but often that lead to serious injuries, make sure you have a prepared core for it. It's rough on the body, have a splotter, have someone keeping your form perfect.

I do both, I have squat first thing and leg press and the end of my workout for finishing my legs.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Squats are also going to significantly increase the strength of ur lower back which could help with other lifts. ur not going to get near that affect with leg presses

Current: 19, 5'11", 190@7%

bench:305 squat:370(atg) deadlift:475
Goals: 4plate squat, 5plate dead

"obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

Well, the big problem with the leg press besides people loading tons of weight on and not going down far enough (same with squats) or the fact it doesnt work the body/stabalizers like squats...

is the problem the legpress presents to the lower back, too often then not a person will lift their lower back off of the seat, which can be very dangerous. Also they have to be careful not to straighten their knees, they could hyper extend and damage them.

Even though I feel and believe the squat is a much better over all exercise in any situation, even if you dont know how to squat...learning how to squat is one of those things you will use and utilize for the rest of your life. The risk/injury is not worth the risk to pile on the weight and look cool in front of the gym.

6'3"  @213

Squat 1x20x275

press:200, Deadlift:475, Bench:300, P.clean:235, Squat:385

"The only failure that is final is to stop trying to improve"

Nm0ney34


Well, the big problem with the leg press besides people loading tons of weight on and not going down far enough (same with squats) or the fact it doesnt work the body/stabalizers like squats...

I agree...the stabilizers aren't being strengthened nor the overall core like the squat, making it superior. I believe leg presses have their place (if done for the right reasons and the right way)... but the squat should always come first because it requires more muscle recruitment and is more beneficial to the overall legs. If someone prefers doing leg presses, that's fine, just make sure it's after squatting. Most people, they're not really necessary though.

The OP was asking if it was alright to trade leg presses (which is in his routine) for squats (which he wanted to do) and overall he came out the winner in the trade, squats > leg presses. I doubt you'd reap any hormonal benefits from the leg press anyway.

I'm starting to hate squats, my back is starting to become equivalent to a gorilla

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant