Question about Leg Press

[dydrmr]

Hello all!

I have lurked around the board for a while but finally decided to post! So, hello!

I was doing (errr...attempting, rather ) Legs and Glutes last night and have a question about the leg press. I know that I'm supposed to really feel the exercise where my glutes and hamstrings meet, but I hardly felt it there at all whereas my quads were completely on fire. I didn't use any weights since it was my first time doing the workout, and I was sure to press through my heel, but it didn't seem to help. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Laura

 

[hippahips]

I find that if I step off further back and a bit to the side (gosh, I hope I'm making sense) of the step, I hit that area where my glutes and hamstrings meet, and take the work off my quads. Hope this helps.

Pinky

 

[kelley111]

I so the same as Pinky. Plus I was wondering what size step you are using? I have no problem using a 14 inch step, but I find that using a 12 inch step targets the area you are talking about much better, so I stick with 12 inches.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Laura! You may want to try going slower and a bit deeper into the lunge on the way down. Sometimes going faster can make momentum take over and in that case the quads will jump to attention faster.

I suggest practicing without the tape at a slower pace. As you send the leg down be sure that it is back farther (so that the leg on the step has its knee lining up over the heal of that foot on the step)and then sink down just a little deeper so that when you get ready to push up again you are starting from a lower angle and making your glute and hamstring get more involved. As you master this at a slower pace you will eventually be able to do it at the same speed we are on the tape (or perhaps even prefer to keep it slower all the time). Good Luck!