What is the functional benefit of leg presses and extensions?

[2fast2see]

I do four sets of squats and three sets of front squats along with standing leg curls on leg day.

When I incorporate leg presses and extensions, it tightens my legs for almost a week and hampers my 10k runs(I like to run three days per week).

I know I could cut down on the number of reps for the presses and extensions, but I want to know their non-bobybuilding benefits.

Edit: I have added barbell lunges to my workout and that is extremely beneficial

[PowerHungry]

Howdy.

I'm a bit miffed that you run 10ks as your sport apparently and still manage to incorporate all... that.

Anyway, the point of leg extensions and leg presses is for the incorporation of open kinetic chain exercises in pre/rehab purposes.

Beyond that, not a lot.

If I were you, I'd give the FAQ a read as well because your routine sounds like it could use some fine tuning but congrats of doing squats and front squats.

[LitteringAnd]

The function that leg presses serve for me is strengthening a weak point that will allow me to increase the amount of weight that I can squat and deadlift. I don't do leg extensions, and I have a feeling this might be one of the nicest responses you get, but good luck.

[Tosa]

Not much.

Leg press could be useful to give the legs some extra work after squats without further fatiguing the lower back. But for the majority of people, leg strength, particular the muscles emphasized with leg press, isn't going to be a weakness compared to the lower back and core. So there's usually not much point.

[2fast2see]

Originally Posted by PowerHungry

Howdy.

I'm a bit miffed that you run 10ks as your sport apparently and still manage to incorporate all... that.

Anyway, the point of leg extensions and leg presses is for the incorporation of open kinetic chain exercises in pre/rehab purposes.

Beyond that, not a lot.

If I were you, I'd give the FAQ a read as well because your routine sounds like it could use some fine tuning but congrats of doing squats and front squats.

thanks.

[2fast2see]

Originally Posted by Tosa

Not much.

Leg press could be useful to give the legs some extra work after squats without further fatiguing the lower back. But for the majority of people, leg strength, particular the muscles emphasized with leg press, isn't going to be a weakness compared to the lower back and core. So there's usually not much point.

Thanks

[miaou]

Originally Posted by Tosa

for the majority of people, leg strength, particular the muscles emphasized with leg press, isn't going to be a weakness compared to the lower back and core. So there's usually not much point.

Why not?

[LitteringAnd]

Originally Posted by miaou

Why not?

I had a bad feeling coming in that everyone was going to be pretty mean to this guy.

Now I have a feeling that this thread is about to get very informative.

I hope I'm not wrong twice.

[Tosa]

Originally Posted by miaou

Why not?

Honestly, I could only speculate as to the reason. Possibly because the torso is a longer lever than the legs. Or possibly the nature of stabilizing the many vertebrae of the spine instead of creating movement across one joint.

It is true that very few people have weak quadriceps relative to their hips, "core" and lower back. Hamstrings might be weak relative to the hips, "core" and lower back more often, but who chooses leg press as assistance work for hamstrings?

Partly I'm just repeating what I've learned at the gym, from someone who's an experienced powerlifter, and has somewhat relevant doctorates (Ie. I trust him as a source of information). Paraphrasing: "It doesn't matter if you squat 100lb or several hundred pounds, the legs are almost never the weak point."

[PowerHungry]

Wonder if it might have something to do with the natural distribution of type I and type II fibers in the quads to the hams and lower back. I have no idea what the distribution is by the way, just a lot. Seems that I've heard (perhaps from Tosa) that triceps have less type I fibers and seem to tire out faster than pecs and that's generally a similar problem with bench.