Working legs overrated? For some people they could be correct?

[John Smeton]

If you have ever competed you know they don't give you points for chest. Yes you need to work chest of course you do who the **** doesn't do that? But it is not a priority over back, shoulders, or abs. Take two guys, and the one with a better back will always defeat the guy who is lacking in that area no matter how great his chest looks.

Rhoden beat Phil this year and clearly has a inferior back. That said, Shawn won bc he looked better than Phil in most pother poses.

back double bicep Phil won, Back lat-Shawn held his own, the rest Shawn won-so Shawn wins bc of better shape, better stomach, abs, more pleasing to the eye physique

 

[Hyde]

Rhoden beat Phil this year and clearly has a inferior back. That said, Shawn won bc he looked better than Phil in most pother poses.

back double bicep Phil won, Back lat-Shawn held his own, the rest Shawn won-so Shawn wins bc of better shape, better stomach, abs, more pleasing to the eye physique

And don’t forget everyone was sick of Phil’s attitude

It was quite a finale!

 

[kisaj]

I think working legs are underrated. I personally have zero respect for any build no matter how defined or mass filled, if the legs are not matching and ill proportioned. When I see a guy that has not worked legs, I think they are weak and lazy.

 

[John Smeton]

And don’t forget everyone was sick of Phil’s attitude

It was quite a finale!

At the end of the day the best body won.

Phils is pretty intelligent how he talks about using machines vs free weights and staying injury free.

 

[muscleupcrohn]

At the end of the day the best body won.

Phils is pretty intelligent how he talks about using machines vs free weights and staying injury free.

If Phil had his gut in check I think he would have won again. I went back and looked at Phil’s physiques from 2011-2016, and, especially early on in his streak, his waist was so much better. It’s just a glaring flaw how it’s been the last two years.

 

[John Smeton]

If Phil had his gut in check I think he would have won again. I went back and looked at Phil’s physiques from 2011-2016, and, especially early on in his streak, his waist was so much better. It’s just a glaring flaw how it’s been the last two years.

Yep Phils been putting on muscle with the mass monster effect by eating more and that stretched his stomach. Phils frame isn't as wide like Ronnies or Jays, its more narrow , and if you look at Ronnies waist from 98-88 its incredible, It widened in 2002-2003, along with his overall size. That said Ronnie had the frame and still have a great V taper despite his wider waist . Phils Frame is maxed out and the extra muscle doesnt do much, and not worth the widened waist

 

[Hyde]

If Phil had his gut in check I think he would have won again. I went back and looked at Phil’s physiques from 2011-2016, and, especially early on in his streak, his waist was so much better. It’s just a glaring flaw how it’s been the last two years.

Agree 100%

 

[muscleupcrohn]

It's sort of a shame really, because a lot of people were thinking that Phil was bad for the sport, being the face and champion of the sport looking like that, but before he had that gut issue he was on top of the game for sure. It's not until the last few years that this became an issue, but that's all a lot of people remember him for now. I think that this loss may actually end up improving a lot of people's opinions of him, as they can now see that he can be beat if he's off his game, which means that they're not just handing him Mr. Os before he even steps on stage. Since he didn't win this year, last year was the only win he had that I'd say was very controversial really. If he won this year, I think it would have almost tarnished his other legit wins for a lot of people, while losing almost, ironically, validates the wins he deserved, if that makes any sense haha.

 

[LoveCompeting]

Phil honestly works out with machines over free weights? Wow that is surprising to hear. Pretty cool to know considering most people think machines can't be as good compared to free weights. Well that pretty much proves them wrong.

Didn't Dorian Yates switch to Machine's as well for his training?

 

[Hyde]

Phil honestly works out with machines over free weights? Wow that is surprising to hear. Pretty cool to know considering most people think machines can't be as good compared to free weights. Well that pretty much proves them wrong.

Didn't Dorian Yates switch to Machine's as well for his training?

Many top pros switch to machines as they refine the foundations they’ve built. They get paranoid about deforming muscle tears that will ruin their competitiveness.

 

[John Smeton]

Phil honestly works out with machines over free weights? Wow that is surprising to hear. Pretty cool to know considering most people think machines can't be as good compared to free weights. Well that pretty much proves them wrong.

Didn't Dorian Yates switch to Machine's as well for his training?

Yes check out some of his videos. Yes Dorian used to promote using machines as well. Its whatever works best for you.

 

[DEVANS89]

When it comes to legs


Don’t be that guy/girl who doesn’t train legs.


I trained legs last night actually week 11 of gamma bomb

And boy it was no joke

Front squat/back squat combo

Followed by lunges


Quad pump was real last night

 

[John Smeton]

When it comes to legs


Don’t be that guy/girl who doesn’t train legs.


I trained legs last night actually week 11 of gamma bomb

And boy it was no joke

Front squat/back squat combo

Followed by lunges


Quad pump was real last night

not training the hammies directly?

 

[DEVANS89]

not training the hammies directly?

The start was activation with leg curls

Then it’s finish the whole workout with stiff legs

 

[John Smeton]

The start was activation with leg curls

Then it’s finish the whole workout with stiff legs

nice. you didnt mention them. I was wondering. Good work.

I had a training partner back in 2011 or 2012 that we would do leg extensions, squats and leg press, then he would leave and not finish three hammie exercises with me. Very important to work both and not get inbalanced. Thats how anyone that runs as fast as possible, baseball players sprinting after a ball, or football players get injuries, bc they work there quads and not hamstrings and quads over power hamstrings, its very common

There was a baseball player that played for the local college here that had a hamstring injury from sprinting after a fly ball. I asked him if he worked hamstrings, bc I always saw him do squats and nothing else, he said, nope. I said that contributed to your injury.

 

[kisaj]

Anytime I have seen someone with a leg injury in sport it is always the hams. People neglect them and they are so incredibly important for not only actual performance, but aesthetics. That nice powerful profile look can never be accomplished without built hams.

 

[Hyde]

nice. you didnt mention them. I was wondering. Good work.

I had a training partner back in 2011 or 2012 that we would do leg extensions, squats and leg press, then he would leave and not finish three hammie exercises with me. Very important to work both and not get inbalanced. Thats how anyone that runs as fast as possible, baseball players sprinting after a ball, or football players get injuries, bc they work there quads and not hamstrings and quads over power hamstrings, its very common

There was a baseball player that played for the local college here that had a hamstring injury from sprinting after a fly ball. I asked him if he worked hamstrings, bc I always saw him do squats and nothing else, he said, nope. I said that contributed to your injury.

Why are you assuming all squatting is done quad dominant? My back squat is wide and deep, and it’s all glute hip and ham.

If your squat is quad dominant, you are either rather close-stanced and totally upright, or you’re 1/4 squatting. The first is good; the latter not so much lol.

 

[John Smeton]

Why are you assuming all squatting is done quad dominant? My back squat is wide and deep, and it’s all glute hip and ham.

If your squat is quad dominant, you are either rather close-stanced and totally upright, or you’re 1/4 squatting. The first is good; the latter not so much lol.

Ive always done ass to ground squats and considered it a quad exercise. normal stance for me.
Early in my career if you will, when i first started I did close stance and my knees could take it, not now a days. im 37 and dont even do barbell squats anymore. Cable squats, hacks, leg press, and leg extensions, maybe some lunges here or there or switching things up.

I built good legs with squats although I noticed better results with leg pree, hacks and leg extension for my long femure bones. Anyone with long femure bones will more tha likely do better with hacks, leg press and leg extensions. Squats are more for shorter guys and guys with shorter femures.

last time I did all the way down squats to my heels was 2014 , hit 275lbs-10 x's. Put 135 on the bar and did them last week and said screw this, i get much better legs from other exercises, and the fact I used to squat 405 lbs back in 2004, it decompasses your sprine majorily.

Doug Brignole explains it well
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[John Smeton]

Why are you assuming all squatting is done quad dominant? My back squat is wide and deep, and it’s all glute hip and ham.

If your squat is quad dominant, you are either rather close-stanced and totally upright, or you’re 1/4 squatting. The first is good; the latter not so much lol.

Ive always done ass to ground squats and considered it a leg exercise. normal stance for me.
Early in my career if you will, when i first started I did close stance and my knees could take it, not now a days. im 37 and dont even do barbell squats anymore. Cable squats, hacks, leg press, and leg extensions, maybe some lunges here or there or switching things up.

I build good legs with squats although I noticed better results with leg pree, hacks and leg extension for my long femure bones. Anyone with long femure bones will more tha likely do better with hacks, leg press and leg extensions. Squats are more for shorter guys and guys with shorter femures.

last time I did all the way down squats to my heels was 2014 , hit 275lbs-10 x's. Put 135 on the bar and did them last week and said screw this, i get much better legs from other exercises, and the fact I used to squat 405 lbs back in 2004, it decompasses your sprine majorily.

Doug Brignole explains it well
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heres a thigh shot for you , my second competition this past summer. I got plenty more old ones since Ive been competing since 2009, and my legs were probably bigger than.

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you got a pic of your legs?

 

[franks009]

Talking about legs I needa bring up the rookie RB for the Giants. Saquon barkley. He's 21 six foot at 233 lbs. His thighs measure at 28 inches and squats 650. Kid is a fcuking beast.

 

[Hyde]

Ive always done ass to ground squats and considered it a leg exercise. normal stance for me.
Early in my career if you will, when i first started I did close stance and my knees could take it, not now a days. im 37 and dont even do barbell squats anymore. Cable squats, hacks, leg press, and leg extensions, maybe some lunges here or there or switching things up.

I build good legs with squats although I noticed better results with leg pree, hacks and leg extension for my long femure bones. Anyone with long femure bones will more tha likely do better with hacks, leg press and leg extensions. Squats are more for shorter guys and guys with shorter femures.

last time I did all the way down squats to my heels was 2014 , hit 275lbs-10 x's. Put 135 on the bar and did them last week and said screw this, i get much better legs from other exercises, and the fact I used to squat 405 lbs back in 2004, it decompasses your sprine majorily.

Doug Brignole explains it well
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heres a thigh shot for you , my second competition this past summer. I got plenty more old ones since Ive been competing since 2009, and my legs were probably bigger than.

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you got a pic of your legs?

Not sure why you’re asking about the quality of my legs, as the point I’m trying to make is the barbell squat is not inherently quad work - it can be a massive hamstring builder. I don’t need big quads; I need bigger numbers and enough muscular balance to avoid injury. You saying a baseball player got injured because he didn’t do lying leg curls and only squat is quite a stretch.

I don’t have any shots of me in a speedo, but in this pic of me deadlifting 628lbs can see my legs are at least proportional to the rest of me:

 

[LoveCompeting]

Talking about legs I needa bring up the rookie RB for the Giants. Saquon barkley. He's 21 six foot at 233 lbs. His thighs measure at 28 inches and squats 650. Kid is a fcuking beast.

Well yes when you have 300 pound linebackers trying to kill you, you better be able to run right through them. Plus stronger your lower body is the longer your career in my opinion. If you watch old highlights of Walter Payton that guy was amazing. His workouts were legendary.

 

[BEAST73]

Not sure why you’re asking about the quality of my legs, as the point I’m trying to make is the barbell squat is not inherently quad work - it can be a massive hamstring builder. I don’t need big quads; I need bigger numbers and enough muscular balance to avoid injury. You saying a baseball player got injured because he didn’t do lying leg curls and only squat is quite a stretch.

I don’t have any shots of me in a speedo, but in this pic of me deadlifting 628lbs can see my legs are at least proportional to the rest of me:

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You’re a Beast Bro!!!

 

[John Smeton]

No i said he worked his quads and didnt work his hamstrings. Its very,very common that football players and baseball players get injured bc of a quad/ham imbalance.

 

[Hyde]

You’re a Beast Bro!!!

Just trying to get a little bit better every single day!

No i said he worked his quads and didnt work his hamstrings. Its very,very common that football players and baseball players get injured bc of a quad/ham imbalance.

I agree with you about imbalances causing injury - there’s no disputing that. I’m just saying that squats don’t even build my quads hardly, compared to things like legpress.

 

[John Smeton]

Just trying to get a little bit better every single day!



I agree with you about imbalances causing injury - there’s no disputing that. I’m just saying that squats don’t even build my quads hardly, compared to things like legpress.

When I started out squats built mine very well. I used to do close stance Lee Haney squats and I definitely feel that helped my teardrop, this was back when i was 21 . Now that im older at 37 I stopped squatting. I had a left knee injury last year, it clicks, and its not as smooth as the left kneecap so i have to watch it. Ive never had any issues with putting muscle on my quads though from the start. Squats worked at the beginning years, just not anymores.

Bodybuilding is totally different than powerlifting. Bodybuilding is finding exercises for your body, as every body is different, has different limbs, mechanical advantages and disadvantages. Powerlifting is moving the weight point A and B. . You probably know from powerlifting guys with long arms generally are not as good as bench pressing as guys with short arms, and are good at deadlifting. If injuries creep up youve got to eliminate certain exercises and find ones that works for you, while still progressing.

As a older competitive bodybuilder, if you will, as I started in bodybuilding competitions in 2009, and switched over to competing in classic physique in 2016, its all about finding the exercises that work for your body, no matter how silly they may look, or look unconventional , or have people stare, as long as your getting results that's what matters.

 

[ericos_bob]

Well said. I feel it's more difficult to maintain leg strength in my 30's than 20's. Back then I would often take extended breaks and come back after 6 weeks without losing any strength. Seems these days after 3 weeks off I lose 30-50lbs in a hurry. I do recall a study suggesting leg strength is the first to decline as we age. All the more reason to prioritize leg training. If anything upper body is overrated.

 

[BEAST73]

I Love the sensation feeling that I receive during and after leg workout. I get stronger throughout the day,and sometimes I feel going back to the gym,and work other muscle groups!

 

[jswain34]

Not sure why you’re asking about the quality of my legs, as the point I’m trying to make is the barbell squat is not inherently quad work - it can be a massive hamstring builder. I don’t need big quads; I need bigger numbers and enough muscular balance to avoid injury. You saying a baseball player got injured because he didn’t do lying leg curls and only squat is quite a stretch.

I don’t have any shots of me in a speedo, but in this pic of me deadlifting 628lbs can see my legs are at least proportional to the rest of me:

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Hyde You had more in you too, but instead you let us tie. You know I have to remind you of that every chance I get .

 

[kisaj]

Well said. I feel it's more difficult to maintain leg strength in my 30's than 20's. Back then I would often take extended breaks and come back after 6 weeks without losing any strength. Seems these days after 3 weeks off I lose 30-50lbs in a hurry. I do recall a study suggesting leg strength is the first to decline as we age. All the more reason to prioritize leg training. If anything upper body is overrated.

I don’t care what age you are, if you take 3 weeks off and only lose 30-50lbs off of a leg specific lift, then you are doing pretty good. Why do you take these long breaks?

 

[BlockBuilder]

My legs suck and I have to work them twice a week to see good results and my calves don’t respond to anything. I do mean that. I’ve tried every ****ing thing imaginable. I have high calf insertions. I have runners legs. Definitely built for running it seems. Anyway with that being said I feel like if I didn’t work legs I just wouldn’t be happy. Legs are challenging and putting that work in is a good feeling.

 

[YoungThor]

My legs suck and I have to work them twice a week to see good results and my calves don’t respond to anything. I do mean that. I’ve tried every ****ing thing imaginable. I have high calf insertions. I have runners legs. Definitely built for running it seems. Anyway with that being said I feel like if I didn’t work legs I just wouldn’t be happy. Legs are challenging and putting that work in is a good feeling.

I avoided doing legs forever but since I started I’ve noticed that leg day provides a great sense of well-being.

 

[Hyde]

Hyde You had more in you too, but instead you let us tie. You know I have to remind you of that every chance I get .

Haha race to 300kg?? We’re probably very even pulling strength atm

I don’t care what age you are, if you take 3 weeks off and only lose 30-50lbs off of a leg specific lift, then you are doing pretty good. Why do you take these long breaks?

I thought as much - in the 8 years I have trained seriously, the longest I have ever been out of the gym was 8 days - once. Even after minor surgeries I was doing something within a week. That’s how you stay strong.

My only guess is either serious illness or surgery, otherwise it just wasn’t a priority at the time compared to things like career, family, etc. Even serious injury doesn’t keep a determined lifter out - he will just do whatever he can.

 

[jswain34]

Haha race to 300kg?? We’re probably very even pulling strength atm

I thought as much - in the 8 years I have trained seriously, the longest I have ever been out of the gym was 8 days - once. Even after minor surgeries I was doing something within a week. That’s how you stay strong.

My only guess is either serious illness or surgery, otherwise it just wasn’t a priority at the time compared to things like career, family, etc. Even serious injury doesn’t keep a determined lifter out - he will just do whatever he can.

I typed out a bunch of excuses, but then realized they were all just excuses. Yah, fuk it. Im in. With how much more dedicated you are right now you'd have to be the heavy favorite but ive been an underdog before.

Btw, just so I actually comment on the topic of the thread: do legs, dont be a tool. That is all.

 

[Hyde]

I typed out a bunch of excuses, but then realized they were all just excuses. Yah, fuk it. Im in. With how much more dedicated you are right now you'd have to be the heavy favorite but ive been an underdog before.

Btw, just so I actually comment on the topic of the thread: do legs, dont be a tool. That is all.

My man It’s a marathon!

 

[ericos_bob]

I don’t care what age you are, if you take 3 weeks off and only lose 30-50lbs off of a leg specific lift, then you are doing pretty good. Why do you take these long breaks?

Not all my hobbies are synergistic. I sometimes travel to and hike remote places in my holidays. A 2 week trek through the NSW rainforest was my latest adventure. Rationed food and 60 miles of bush bashing through a rainforest which made the jungle in Predator look like a golf course turned my legs to tooth picks.

 

[Humble]

Not sure why you’re asking about the quality of my legs, as the point I’m trying to make is the barbell squat is not inherently quad work - it can be a massive hamstring builder. I don’t need big quads; I need bigger numbers and enough muscular balance to avoid injury. You saying a baseball player got injured because he didn’t do lying leg curls and only squat is quite a stretch.

I don’t have any shots of me in a speedo, but in this pic of me deadlifting 628lbs can see my legs are at least proportional to the rest of me:

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I wanna train with Hyde!

 

[Humble]

No i said he worked his quads and didnt work his hamstrings. Its very,very common that football players and baseball players get injured bc of a quad/ham imbalance.

True dat! I’m a case in point! I pulled my right hammy sprinting in July. My trainer suggested my quads were overpowering my weak hammies. 35 years at a desk job does that. Since then, I train my hammies at least twice a week. They were so underdeveloped that the size increase is noticeable, at least to me.

This is a great back and forth. Very valuable info from both sides of the discussion.

Thank you!

 

[kisaj]

Not all my hobbies are synergistic. I sometimes travel to and hike remote places in my holidays. A 2 week trek through the NSW rainforest was my latest adventure. Rationed food and 60 miles of bush bashing through a rainforest which made the jungle in Predator look like a golf course turned my legs to tooth picks.

Fair enough buddy. If there was ever a reason this is the one I did not expect to hear and I take back what I said. Sounds like a pretty decent trade off.

 

[BEAST73]

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[DEVANS89]

Rarely you find people training legs that you think fare play man you are training hard

There’s either bros who don’t even touch them and have twigs

Or the sort who load up a leg press to like 300-500kg

And half rep it


Don’t get me wrong I’ve seen my fair share of people hitting legs hard but it’s not often

 

[LoveCompeting]

From the master and 4 x champion. I’ll take his word...

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[John Smeton]

From the master and 4 x champion. I’ll take his word...

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O i agree with that

Of course on physique it can be beneficial . If you have really good legs already in Classic or even bodybuilding you coud back off them coming into the show .

 

[ericos_bob]

Anyone here of the belief there's only so much muscle one can naturally hold onto regardless of how it is distributed throughout the body? You can have huge legs at the expense of some upper body size and vice versa.

 

[Jeremyk1]

From the master and 4 x champion. I’ll take his word...

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I do feel obligated to point out, he said “he had me back off legs the last 6 weeks”. So, sounds like he was hitting legs hard, but “backed off” as in, not doing as much, but still doing legs.

 

[kisaj]

I guess I'm just the thick headed one here, but I don't understand how you could win a physique contest without a well proportioned physique. The whole notion of not working legs hard is completely lost on me.

 

[kisaj]

Anyone here of the belief there's only so much muscle one can naturally hold onto regardless of how it is distributed throughout the body? You can have huge legs at the expense of some upper body size and vice versa.

No, and it doesn't have to be one or the other.

 

[jrock645]

I guess I'm just the thick headed one here, but I don't understand how you could win a physique contest without a well proportioned physique. The whole notion of not working legs hard is completely lost on me.

Agreed. Just because your legs aren’t or don’t need to be your focal point doesn’t mean ignore them.