Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you use the Leg Press and Leg Extension Machines? Your back is supported in both of them.
High Incline Walking on Treadmill or Hills

Yes, I definitely use those. The problem is they they're too easy. It's just not the same intensity as doing barbell squats.

I suppose it is what it is and I'll just have to live with it.

There is no way. You’re telling us you’be MAXED OUT the weights on these machines with perfect form to the degree they’re “too easy”? No. Not that AND you don’t have the ability to do barbell squats.

Give up the idea that you need giant legs? Maybe if you’re at the point in life where you have injuries such that you have to be that careful, your overall focus should be on health and not being “very strong” and having huge muscles. I find it hard to believe that there’s no way to squat safely if you use lower weights and good form. Also not sure why split squats are any less loading?

Rowing with good form

Use the stair machine at the gym. Or a Jacob's ladder. Do squats with a kettle bell held to your chest, a medicine ball, a dumbbell, or a sandbell. Or just skip the weight and do body weight. All work.

Stairs/stairclimber. If the latter, don't use the rails! SO many people learn their forearms or elbows on the rails, or lock their arms straight holding on to some part of the machine.

LET GO. Let your arms swing by your side. At most, gently rest one hand for stability "just in case."

Anonymous wrote:Can you use the Leg Press and Leg Extension Machines? Your back is supported in both of them.
High Incline Walking on Treadmill or Hills

Yes, I definitely use those. The problem is they they're too easy. It's just not the same intensity as doing barbell squats.

I suppose it is what it is and I'll just have to live with it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try yoga or ballet instead of weightlifting.

That’s not going to build muscle in their legs

Ballet builds just as strong legs and barbells if you do it properly.

Can you use the Leg Press and Leg Extension Machines? Your back is supported in both of them.
High Incline Walking on Treadmill or Hills

I personally don't agree that squats and deadlift put additional strain on your back if done with reasonable weight and good form. The reason they are popular exercises is they strengthen and stabilize the legs and hips.

My spouse has had chronic hip pain for many years and tried orthopedists, yoga, stretching, many other things that never helped. She started going to a trainer who specifically found imbalances and weaknesses in her back and legs and gave her exercises to strengthen those areas. She went to two 4-week sessions and her hip pain is almost completely gone, which allows her to perform other exercises now, like squats, without any pain, which provides further strength building. Just something you could try.

Do you work on core strength? That sounds key to avoiding injury too.

I just use my treadmill to do step ups after I’m done running. Usually do 50-100 each leg a few days a week and have seen a huge difference in strength and tone definition.

Anonymous wrote:Try yoga or ballet instead of weightlifting.

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If you really want to lift without extra strain, why not go to the old fashion machine approach? Isn’t that why they are criticized because they only engage the 1 or 2 muscles at issue rather than barbell lifting which engages much more of your body?

That said, I love the idea of taking a radical new approach and really like the ballet and yoga idea above.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try yoga or ballet instead of weightlifting.

That’s not going to build muscle in their legs

Joe Rogan spoke about this - Yoga will reveal any weakness very early. Sure size comes from lifting but the minor muscles, flexibility, and overall balance will not be tested by lifting.

I don't think lifting only is the answer - I think you can rotate to make it functional. I see guys with huge quads on the stair climber they are hunched down with really bad form. Take the pain and humility and practice upright stairs. I think all together work with yoga work really well.

Joe Rogan lol

LOL Instant BC

Anonymous wrote:I live in a flat part of San Francisco but recently housesat in a hilly part. I went for a walk at least twice a day, and have leg muscles in places I didn't even know could develop them. If you don't have hills, I guess a stairclimber at a gym would mimic that.

San Francisco is great for that! I moved to Nob Hill after years in flat DC. I walked back and forth to my office in the financial district. I lost many pounds and gained so much leg strength in just the first month… it was lovely. Then I moved and started taking Muni…bye-bye natural, easy exercise. I think the only comparable exercises are stairs or a treadmill on steep incline. Not sure how you’d mimic the steep decline though; I know some people walk backwards on the treadmill with high resistance and it’s supposed to be great, so maybe that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try yoga or ballet instead of weightlifting.

That’s not going to build muscle in their legs

Joe Rogan spoke about this - Yoga will reveal any weakness very early. Sure size comes from lifting but the minor muscles, flexibility, and overall balance will not be tested by lifting.

I don't think lifting only is the answer - I think you can rotate to make it functional. I see guys with huge quads on the stair climber they are hunched down with really bad form. Take the pain and humility and practice upright stairs. I think all together work with yoga work really well.

Joe Rogan lol