For some reason I have been unable to do Leg Extensions with my right leg. Therefore, I stopped doing lower body completely and started taking my joint supps and laid of the stairmaster (revolving steps) for 2 weeks. So last week I tried again and I was able to lift 20lbs (the lowest the machine was able to go) however, my range was horrible. So my question is, if I am unable to do this exercise will my quads ever get to where I need them to be to compete in Figure (October this year) and BB (May 2009)? I don't have any problems doing any variation of squats, deadlifts, or leg curls. Oh and I am able to do the stairmaster 3 times per week for 30 minutes at the most without feeling excruciating pain. I'm hoping that it will get better over time. But, on the off chance it doesn't I'm just asking!!

Thanks Everyone!

Leg extensions aren't a necessity. I hardly ever do them. If you can squat, you're pretty much covered.

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Leg extensions aren't a necessity. I hardly ever do them. If you can squat, you're pretty much covered.

I'll second that!

I do leg extensions for a final pump once I'm done with squats. If you're really wanting to do leg extensions, raise the setting so that you are only doing a very small portion of the Range Of Motion.

I'm not sure, but the problem with most is the starting point.

Squats and Fronts are KING! Leg extensions are kind just the cherry on the top of the sunday... but who cares about the cherry when there is all that ice cream and whipped topping to eat!!

Yeah, I'm pretty hungry, but as long as you can do Fronts and Squats, you are pretty much golden.

Thanks guys! That is a relief. I will definitley keep up the squats. Oh, btw what are "Fronts?"

Yvonne

FutureBB! You don't know the wonderfull world of "fronts"???? Front squats are, in my opinion, the BEST growth enhancer for the lower and upper-body at the same time.

It is a squat, but the bar is placed accross your collarbones/anterior neck and front delts area. Bar placement and stabilization is key, but a butt-to-the floor squat on fronts is a whole new world of exaustion. Lookem up and try them out. You won't regret it!

Smith Machine
Front Squat

Depending on the level of strength, here's the barbell version and will show you the anterior/frontal view of this exercise:
Barbell

Oh...Okay! Think I will try that on the Smith Machine! I will add that to my workout out. So if I do Fronts, should I not do Squats on the same day? Or is it okay to do them both in the same workout on the same day?

Ha haa!!! You would like that wouldn't you? NOPE, both on the same day killer. I am such a weight lifting nazi...

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NOPE, both on the same day killer. I am such a weight lifting nazi

I don't do them much, but if you are on a 2X week, you can alternate. When I do 2X, I will do heavy squats for 6-8. The other part of the week I add in higher reps with less weight and other types of leg workout.

FutureBB...just wondering, when you say that you get horrible pain when doing leg extensions, have you ever had that checked by either a Physical therapist or a doctor?? And do you or have you had any past injuries?? I just ask because I am getting my doctorate in physical therapy and Im just curious as to how you dont have any pain doing squats and other leg exercises. If the quads are that weak and painful, that is an area that should be addressed and strenghtened gradually to prevent further damage and weakness. Just my $.02

I have found that Hack squats and lunges are great for building quads as well. Hack squats hit the glutes really hard if you come down below parallel. Lunges...I do them all different ways but I find that reverse lunges really hit the quads...especially when you're trying to get that tear drop shape.