Are you in good physical shape?

4W4K3 said:
What would be an "expected" weight in leg press, for someone who is 130lbs, 5'9"? And what would be your maximum guess?
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Leg press is not really an exercise worth gauging in all honesty. Results vary machine to machine. Actual weight moved doesn't correlate with amount loaded to the sled as there are 30 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree leg presses. Couple that with the tendency of people not to actually break parallel even though their kness are approaching their chest and you have the classic recipe of people claiming 1000 (literally) on the leg press.

A true squat to parallel (note this is past a 90 degree bending of the knees) is a real measure of leg strength.
 
Kn00b said:
Leg press is not really an exercise worth gauging in all honesty. Results vary machine to machine. Actual weight moved doesn't correlate with amount loaded to the sled as there are 30 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree leg presses. Couple that with the tendency of people not to actually break parallel even though their kness are approaching their chest and you have the classic recipe of people claiming 1000 (literally) on the leg press.

A true squat to parallel (note this is past a 90 degree bending of the knees) is a real measure of leg strength.
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Hmm, very interesting. I do not recall the degree or what machine I used haha, too long ago.

Put 600lbs on and was able to rep it 3-4 times. Of course it was just gym class, so more than likely I was not positioned right, cheating, etc. I was still impressed with myself though, no one else could match me. That was my 5 minutes of fame. :o
 
True that comparing leg press weights isn't as exact as some other lifts, but I think it is a great leg workout. You really just need to use the same machine everytime so you can gauge how much to increase your weights. The one I use is 45 degrees. Usually when someone says leg press that is what they are talking about. There are different brands though and that may change your weight you are able to do. But getting up to 1000 pounds is not an unreachable goal in longterm weight lifting for this lift (should be the lift you can do the most on). There are plenty of female lifters that have even reached this goal. A 90 degree press is referred to as a vertical leg press so as not to confuse the two. Please if you are going to do squats make sure your form is perfect. Do not go below 90 degrees and do not bounce. Trust me it will ruin your knees!! To be honest the best way to workout is not to compare yourself to other people. Genetics plays a huge part in the amount you can lift and which lifts come easier to you. Some guys can bench hundreds of pounds but can't squat worth a dump and vice versa. It all has to do with your own personal body kinetics and that's something that you can't change even if you want to. Stay focused in the weight room on your own lifts and not others! Your main goal should be to increase your weights that you can lift slowly but surely. Take your time and don't try and show off. That's usually when people get hurt!!
 
4W4K3 said:
Hmm, very interesting. I do not recall the degree or what machine I used haha, too long ago.

Put 600lbs on and was able to rep it 3-4 times. Of course it was just gym class, so more than likely I was not positioned right, cheating, etc. I was still impressed with myself though, no one else could match me. That was my 5 minutes of fame. :o
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That doesn't really surprise me at all. I think you may well very easily be able to do 600 a few times. Like I said genetics plays a huge part. For me that has always been a great lift. First time I did it in high school I did 600 ten times with no previous conditioning. On the other hand I have struggled for 6 years to get my bench press up to 300 lbs. Some people are just built well to do certain lifts and not for others.
 
Kn00b said:
Leg press is not really an exercise worth gauging in all honesty. Results vary machine to machine. Actual weight moved doesn't correlate with amount loaded to the sled as there are 30 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree leg presses. Couple that with the tendency of people not to actually break parallel even though their kness are approaching their chest and you have the classic recipe of people claiming 1000 (literally) on the leg press.

A true squat to parallel (note this is past a 90 degree bending of the knees) is a real measure of leg strength.
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Just to nitpick

Parallel is where the crease on the top of the hip (where the thigh meets the hip) drops below the top of the knee. It would be roughly equivalent to sitting on a 14" high box or about the height of a typical toilet.

And you're 100% right that you cannot compare leg presses.

And I disagree that squatting below 90 degrees will ruin your knees. Squatting wrong might wreck your knees. Squatting correctly probably not.
 
5'11" and 180lbs. Low blood pressure and on no meds. Right now I can run a 5K in around 25min, and usually run for 30-40min two to three times a week. I've been lifting weights at home since Feburary but have cut back to almost never now due to my job (12 hour midnight shifts are such fun). :rolleyes: I had been up to 170lb deadlifts for 8 reps/3 sets and 118lbs dumbell chest presses for the same numbers.

Hoping to go back to day/evening shift soon so that I can get back in the groove.

Bob
 
28 years old and in good, but not excellent shape. 170lbs, amateur kickboxer, run a few times a week to help increase stamina as thats my weakest area. Used to lift heavy but only lift moderately to compliment general strangth now. I can beat the hell out of a bag that never hits back. Does THAT count for anything?
 
I'm 38, 5'10",220 lbs.I don't lift many weights anymore but do body weight exercises and cardio.I do 3-4 sprint distance triathalons each season and participate in the odd charity or fun run.I do a 5k in just under 30 mins on a regular basis and swim 800m in around 14 mins.I also play Masters Lacrosse in the summer.My blood pressure is usually 120/80ish and cholesterol is hovering at the high end of normal.

I'm no Calvin Klein underwear model but I'm pretty happy with my fitness.I'd love to see my 20 year old weight of 205lbs again someday.
 
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