July 12, 2007
I can plate squat press 260 pounds, 2 x my body weight. What else can I do to build solid leg muscles?
I work out about 4-5 days a week. I eat a healthy diet. I vary my workout routine. My strength is increasing, I can push a lot of weight but I still do not see any real definition in my legs (calves, hams, glutes, etc.). I still feel like I have giggly Mom legs. How do I get solid, cut Beyonce legs? Do I need supplements? Should I be working to failure? Should I be doing cardio? I'm afraid to keep pushing more and more weight - I want to avoid knee injuries. I'm glad that I am strong, I just want to look it.
- Any suggestions? Is there something I may be overlooking or am I just being impatient?
- I think your leg muscles are good as any. if however, you are planning to get Ahnold legs, then just increase the intensity. if you are going for Beyonce legs, then you are doing too much.
squat presses, etc, are for getting strength. But if you want definition, you need to do more aerobic stuff. Pilates and yoga is enough: just spend 15-20 mins each morning doing that and you'll have them in no time
- My basic work out for legs include these exercises:
Plate Loaded Squat Press - up to 260 lbs.
Half Squats or Full Squats on the Smith machine - 200 or 100 lbs
Leg Curls and Leg Extensions - 90-100 lbs.
Glute - 123.5 - 137 lbs.
Hip Adductors and Flexors (that machine you squeeze in or out with your thighs) 100 lbs
Horizontal Leg Press - 135 lbs
Standing Calf Raises - 200-260 lbs.
Everything I do is in sets of 3 with reps of 12.
I do not do much cardio, mainly because the air is out in our gym and it is about 85 degrees in there. That and it bores the crap out of me. I do legs 2-3 times a week. Never in a row. I alternate legs and abs with back and triceps and chest and biceps.
I just added whey protein powder to my diet. Adding about 30 grams of protein to my daily intake. Typically, I am in the gym 4-6 days a week, depending on how crazy my kids make me.
I am 34, 5'8" and weigh about 135 lbs.
Thanks for the great feedback. I appreciate the support. - run alot
- Please see this website for different exercises you can do and watch your diet: http://www.exrx.net/
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Get a diet and fitness calculator that you can put on your computer or cell phone. This will allow you to easily calculate the above formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.
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- Squats are a for building more than legs.. a lot more. Squats do not target the areas you want to define. If you want to build power and bulk, continue squating heavy weights, otherwise drop the weight from 260 to 100 and do more reps & more sets.
Try These Targeted Excercises:
Leg Extensions (quads)
Leg Curls (hamstrings)
Calf Raises (calves)
Lunges (butt) (with dumbells)Use light weights, higher reps (12-14), 3 sets.. on the contraction of the muscle hold for a 2 count..
- Cycling did it for me. It works the whole leg. I bet you would be a good sprinter on a bike if you can squat that much.
- do you feel tough get back to me when you can do 800pounds you obsessed freak of nature n omfg get a life
- experience (moved from strength in HS to cardio/aerobics in college and it has given me incredible definitions).
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