Thread: Leg Extension???????

Quote: Originally Posted by Drackon46 I have seen many routines over the years for legs and they almost all incorporate leg extensions. Recently I have seen quite a few articles that say there is no scientific evidence supporting leg extensions and that also they can in fact be harmful because of the stresses applied to the knees. So what is correct as far as using leg extensions? Thanks LE's cause the quads to contract and apply force...

What you all have said is exactely what I have seen. I have always done leg extensions and have gone as heavy as I could but have never had any problems with my knees. I have usually used them at the end of a quad workout where I have either done squats, leg presses or walking lunges so I am not able to use as much weight if I were to do them first because my legs are already exhausted. I used them mainly as a final isolation movement. I did...

Uh huh, thya re a good exercise to use, but not a good one to use in lower rep ranges with a maximal amount of weight. They should not be the core of a long term leg program but do make a good addition to one every so often for thir specific benefits.

as I understand it, the problem with leg extensions is with your joints. To compare to squats, for example- in a squat, you have all the stress being taken up by three points: the hips, knees, and ankles. In a leg extension, it's all on the knee, specifically the front of the knee which can damage the meniscus or in my case, aggrivate an existing injury.

With the foot off the floor, as in leg extensions, the hamstrings are slack. This causes an imbalance around the knee, since the very strong quadriceps will then pull the knee joint out of alignment. Leg extensions would be okay for warmups, but I wouldn't do them heavy.

I use leg extensions at the beggining of my leg workout to get warmed up. Using a weight that feels right and gets blood right to my quads doing like 4x20.

Leg extensions are a great excercise. As with most moves, it's the form that counts. They won't be harmful if you use a controlled movement. Go slow, forcing your legs to lift the weight rather than swinging up the weight. You may have to lower the weight. But don't fret, it's about LIFTING the weight, not moving X AMOUNT of weight.

Personally, I won't do isolation exercises like Leg Extension, Curls, Adduction, Abduction until after Squats. I warm up for Squats with 5 minutes of treadmill, a set of Free Squats (ie, no weight) and then using the bar for a couple sets, and then I do straight sets of whatever weight I choose.

I've been doing leg extensions for 10 months straight with a steady weight increase along the way. I don't have the best knees in the world, but have no issues even with the repaired one. I have gained considerable quad development and have added 2" to my thighs so far. I do heavy leg presses and my hamstrings are strong as well. I do relatively high volume on both exercises with low reps. I'm staying the course for...