Is it true that the legpress doesnt help with sports(not bodybuildin) because itsnt a natural range in motion?

Question

when i heard this i was so angry because a personal trainer told me that it would strengthen my running and get me jumping so i had been doing it for about 3 month ( i still squat and do freeweights mainly) but i did the legpress quite a bit. So all this did was help my leg definition?

Answer 1

It helped me with sport, i only squat very rarely, like once every two weeks and i leg press every time im at the gym.

And i'm 205lbs, 17, 10.2% body fat and i have a 37' vertical.

But i do other leg weights, but i'm guessing leg press is a big part of that.

And i do plyometrics.

Answer 2

Quite honestly there has been a debate raging around squats vs leg press for years.  Most of it has been caused by people who know nothing.  There are also plenty of personal trainers out there who, despite scientific proof, still push their own personal views on clients.

The truth is that they both have their place.  For instance, because you can go heavier on leg press it helps to boost your leg strength.

Squats will always be superior for one simple reason.  It requires more involvement from supporting muscles.  Basically it recruits a massive amount of muscle.

Leg press is alot more controlled, that's why you can go so heavy.

What I suggest is using both.  Focus more on squats but add leg press.  It'll give you a nice full workout.  

There are 2 ways to include them both.

1) Do squats for a month and switch to leg press for a month.

2) Do 3 sets of squats followed by 2 sets of leg press.

Answer 3

YES. WHEN DO YOU EVER DO LEG PRESS MOVEMENTS IN SPORTS? YOU DON'T REALLY JUMP WHILE LYING DOWN, DO YOU?

The problem with the leg press is that although it strengthens your legs, it does not help strengthen your stabilizers which are important for performing many athletic movements. When you jump it's not just your legs you are using, you're also using your abs, calves, and shoulders.

It's not necessarily a question of "range of motion" but functional application.

Try using plyometrics or doing kettlebell exercises. You'll find you'll be getting stronger way faster compared to doing lots of leg press exercises.

Answer 4

There was a scientific study (I don't remember where to find it again) between which exercise was better for vertical jump improvement. Squat vs leg press.

The conclusion was that the people that did squats improved their VJ better compared to those that did leg presses..