Leg Press Mechanics Part 2: Resistance Profile

In this video, Tom covers some perspectives and realities of the leg press resistance profile, including some ways to manipulate the RP to better match the user's strength profile and force tolerance profile.
But, of course, individual client needs and goals will determine the "appropriateness" of these modifications..
This is Part 2 in a 3-part series discussing some mechanical realities related to the "leg press".

**a PTDC admin may respond to comments, but the Instructor in video will not, so please keep that in mind before you comment!!!**

[greenbra]

Some really great points, Preston! I have talked to a handful of lifters that have had access to this channel. Over and over again, i have heard people ask why they should consider modifying the profile at all. Making it heavier or lighter... why bother? If you make the profile of the exercise "appropriate" to the humans strength profile, you really end up optimizing the entire range! Where you are strongest, the light is adequate, where you are "weakest-mechanically" you have the lightest resistance. It changes the experience!! And what is cool, if you really play with the idea, going back to traditional exercises (non-modified leg press for example)end up feeling even better and smoother!  

For my clients with neurological and orthopaedic pathologies and even just the recreational lifter, playing with profiles has been ground breaking for improve our efficiency in our work for increasing their performance!

 If you'd like, I'd be happy to email you some photo's of my own personal set ups I have come up with at the gym on the fly. As a personal trainer and also and a recreational lifter myself! Takes a little playing with at first, but after the first few times it becomes second nature. I never go anywhere with my gym-accessory bag now! Preston Kowalczyk 

[SycoraxPraxidice]

Years ago, I read that certain elite body builders would attach large chains to the bar for very similar reasons, and have since used it myself. It doesn't have the inertial dampening effects, but it does provide dynamic resistance as the chain pools on the floor when the bar is lowered, and the full weight of the chain is taken back up as the lifter raises the bar.

[lsbrill]

I have heard of using bands and personally used bands for powerlifting training. I have never thought or heard to use them with "average joe" clients. Explanation was always that beginning lifters don't need "special" exercises to increase strength and size. Interesting to see accommodating resistance used in training general population.

[threelettersyndrom]

Why make the distinction between bands from the top and bands from the bottom? The force provided by the band is linear in its length, so there is no difference in the resistance curve between a high weight with a band from the top, and a low weight with a band from the bottom. Has it to do with convenience?

[TheWalsymezrp]

I'm just confused on why you would use tubing on a novice or even intermediate lifter. I mean..why not just make them handle very little weight for as long as it takes to progress. If there so messed up that they can't handle the bottom portion of a leg press why not just make them squat with there body weight for a while? I know that was a stupid solution to the situation but my point is can't you just make them progress very slowly with less weight?

[JasonBourne]

This guy is smart but kind of condescending in his videos. People don't care how much you know, unless they see how much you care.