Leg Press

[sjharvey]

This is a real question. Does having the ability to leg press 420kg transfer to MMA in any way at all?

[taffdragon]

This is a real question. Does having the ability to leg press 420kg transfer to MMA in any way at all?

i dont think it will hurt being able to push that much weight, but if you only do machine exercises like that i think (someone else will have to confirm this) you could be creating some kind of imbalance in your stregth base(?) strong quads but not so much strength in you core and hamstrings that you would have if you squated and done lunges.

i hope this makes sense as im half way through my pile of cans getting ready to watch cardiff city smash the jacks today on sky.

[sjharvey]

i dont think it will hurt being able to push that much weight, but if you only do machine exercises like that i think (someone else will have to confirm this) you could be creating some kind of imbalance in your stregth base(?) strong quads but not so much strength in you core and hamstrings that you would have if you squated and done lunges.

i hope this makes sense as im half way through my pile of cans getting ready to watch cardiff city smash the jacks today on sky.

I don't use it anymore.

I used it last year for the first time in 2 years, worked up to that weight in 6 weeks, then stopped using it again. I've always used squats and know a lot about weight lifting. I was just wondering if there is any cross over strength at all with the leg press.

I work the deadlift as well, confident I don't have any imbalances.

Cheers mate.

[taffdragon]

I don't use it anymore.

I used it last year for the first time in 2 years, worked up to that weight in 6 weeks, then stopped using it again. I've always used squats and know a lot about weight lifting. I was just wondering if there is any cross over strength at all with the leg press.

I work the deadlift as well, confident I don't have any imbalances.

Cheers mate.

good. at least one of us knows what their doing.

i use the lag press quite a lot now because of injurys. still squat but with fairly light weight. deadlifts are bread and butter in my opinion. do you do them off the floor on rack pulls?

when i trained for strengh i used to do them off the floor but now im just bodybuilding i do them from knee hight in a rack. wicked pump from them.

[sjharvey]

good. at least one of us knows what their doing.

i use the lag press quite a lot now because of injurys. still squat but with fairly light weight. deadlifts are bread and butter in my opinion. do you do them off the floor on rack pulls?

when i trained for strengh i used to do them off the floor but now im just bodybuilding i do them from knee hight in a rack. wicked pump from them.

Off the floor. 3 years ago I used to lower the weight to knee level but the torque at the bottom of the movement caused a semi serious injury. 2 weeks later I started using full deads again off the floor and I'm injury free and stronger then ever.

Sorry bout your injurys though. Injurys can be a bitch.

[KODE]

This is a real question. Does having the ability to leg press 420kg transfer to MMA in any way at all?

It will only transfer if you have the skills to use that strength.

Its kind of like asking, if I have quick reactions can I be and F1 driver? Well yes, but only if you have the natural ability to drive, or the ability to pick up the skills.

Being strong does not necessarily mean you will have any advantage, and I would rather get on the mats and Drill technique, rather than power through my drills.

You may see a few of the guys on here and in MMA gyms, who practice Luta Livre, BJJ etc, talk about flow rolling, and also realise yourself, when it comes to rolling with some-one with huge amounts of Skill that they dont tend to use much strength and Power, this I found myself when rolling with a Besuro, Brigadeiro and a lot of the better guys at our gym, and as I result I am trying to change my game ( although I need to actually get into the gym to practice it first :D )

I can only really imagine it to have an advantage in your ability to power through a take down... But why not just get in the Gym and try it out?

[sjharvey]

It will only transfer if you have the skills to use that strength.

Its kind of like asking, if I have quick reactions can I be and F1 driver? Well yes, but only if you have the natural ability to drive, or the ability to pick up the skills.

Being strong does not necessarily mean you will have any advantage, and I would rather get on the mats and Drill technique, rather than power through my drills.

You may see a few of the guys on here and in MMA gyms, who practice Luta Livre, BJJ etc, talk about flow rolling, and also realise yourself, when it comes to rolling with some-one with huge amounts of Skill that they dont tend to use much strength and Power, this I found myself when rolling with a Besuro, Brigadeiro and a lot of the better guys at our gym, and as I result I am trying to change my game ( although I need to actually get into the gym to practice it first :D )

I can only really imagine it to have an advantage in your ability to power through a take down... But why not just get in the Gym and try it out?

I don't start training MMA till may. I will keep my strength training and doing sprint drills when I do though.

Even when I'm trying to get stronger in the gym the number 1 thing on my mind is always technique. That's why it takes me forever to make strength gains. I'm not willing to sacrifice technique most of the time so I know exactly where you're coming from.

Technique+ strength has to be better than just one or the other.

I doubt there are many positions where you can push someone away from you like a leg press though.

[ross90]

Aren't you trying to lose mass on your legs?

[sjharvey]

Aren't you trying to lose mass on your legs?

Yeah but I don't want to lose strength. And yes I know they contradict each other. Can still work on getting fitter though.

I'll prob lose some weight when I train MMA just through the extra activity.

[KODE]

I don't start training MMA till may. I will keep my strength training and doing sprint drills when I do though.

Even when I'm trying to get stronger in the gym the number 1 thing on my mind is always technique. That's why it takes me forever to make strength gains. I'm not willing to sacrifice technique most of the time so I know exactly where you're coming from.

Technique+ strength has to be better than just one or the other.

I doubt there are many positions where you can push someone away from you like a leg press though.


Truth right there!

In terms of strength training, I would start to look at trying out a few circuits, as this would closer mimic MMA, hence the reason most, if not all fighters do them.

Look at compound exercises with as little rest in between as possible, and also look at your muscular endurance, a lot of the time this is where people 'gas' quicker. Look especially at your hamstring endurance, with things like bridges, Fit ball leg curls etc. as I know that myself this is where i have tended to suffer in the past.

[ross90]

Yeah but I don't want to lose strength. And yes I know they contradict each other. Can still work on getting fitter though.

I'll prob lose some weight when I train MMA just through the extra activity.

Yeah mate its very unlikely that'll happen. Its like saying i would like to go upwards AND downwards at the same time, in a lift. lol, its just not gonna happen.

You can do one then the other, but not both.

Yeah you will probably lose more weight when you start mma. Diet is important though

whats goin on with your lifts though?http://www.cagewarriors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51459&page=2

3rd post down i think.

[sjharvey]

Yeah mate its very unlikely that'll happen. Its like saying i would like to go upwards AND downwards at the same time, in a lift. lol, its just not gonna happen.

You can do one then the other, but not both.

Yeah you will probably lose more weight when you start mma. Diet is important though

whats goin on with your lifts though?http://www.cagewarriors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51459&page=2

3rd post down i think.

What do you mean?

[ross90]

What do you mean?

Your lifts, they seem quite far apart. Leg press compared to deadlift. "My combined squat and deadlift is 320kg"

As for the losing mass thing, best thing for it is to take the weight right down and go for muscular endurance rather than muscle building. You will have to chose what you want though, smaller legs, or to be able to dead or squat x amount.

[sjharvey]

Your lifts, they seem quite far apart. Leg press compared to deadlift. "My combined squat and deadlift is 320kg"

As for the losing mass thing, best thing for it is to take the weight right down and go for muscular endurance rather than muscle building. You will have to chose what you want though, smaller legs, or to be able to dead or squat x amount.

I lift weights for strength not muscle building but back when I used to read bodybuildng magazines I read that someone like Ronnie Colman could squat 500Lbs and leg press something like 1500Lbs so I assume It's normal to have such a big difference between the two.

I've given up using the leg press. I'm all about the free weights and body weight training now.

[ross90]

I lift weights for strength not muscle building but back when I used to read bodybuildng magazines I read that someone like Ronnie Colman could squat 500Lbs and leg press something like 1500Lbs so I assume It's normal to have such a big difference between the two.

I've given up using the leg press. I'm all about the free weights and body weight training now.

Ah right i know fuck all about it me tbh with you. I think when i start gettin enough money to have a gym membership as well I'll do squats, incline bench and bench,tricep dips, millitary press, bent over rows, deadlifts, pull ups/lat pull downs and sit ups. All light weight, loads of reps, to stay at 70kg (think Im about 74 now) So little more fat to lose.

Alongside normal training and cardio, i think this would be good for mma. Also I saw a mad workout that Im gonna try, by randy couture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Tqv4TK7xk&feature=player_embedded

Have a look. Also the 300 workout every so often (thats a mean workout)

http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/workout-plans/muscle-building/article/5e1790ecab7e1110VgnVCM20000012281eac

[sjharvey]

Ah right i know fuck all about it me tbh with you. I think when i start gettin enough money to have a gym membership as well I'll do squats, incline bench and bench,tricep dips, millitary press, bent over rows, deadlifts, pull ups/lat pull downs and sit ups. All light weight, loads of reps, to stay at 70kg (think Im about 74 now) So little more fat to lose.

Alongside normal training and cardio, i think this would be good for mma. Also I saw a mad workout that Im gonna try, by randy couture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-Tqv4TK7xk&feature=player_embedded

Have a look. Also the 300 workout every so often (thats a mean workout)

http://www.menshealth.com/men/fitness/workout-plans/muscle-building/article/5e1790ecab7e1110VgnVCM20000012281eac

I don't really see the need for lat pull down if you can pull ups. And when it comes to bench maybe flat could be barbel and incline can be dumbell. Should use lunges too. The only reason I say that is because I notice that if I don't use them for a few weeks then I'm kinda wobbly on them until I get used to them again. So I'm kinda assuming they can help improve balance, coordination and stabilisers in the core muscles.

For anyone who wants to corrects me just bear in mind I'm going off of my own personal experience and never claimed to be an expert.

Nowadays I prefer to make my workouts full body ones cause that's just my preference. I like the balance of it.

Some advice, DON'T use the hack squat machine and go deep on it. Did that a few years ago with 160kg's and almost felt like the tear drop shaped muscle around my knees were gonna tear off for a couple of weeks.

[ross90]

Lat pull downs I do alongside a pull up set. 10 pull ups, then 10 pull downs 40kg. 3 times.

Its good alongside pull ups, in addition. But not just on their own.

[sjharvey]

Lat pull downs I do alongside a pull up set. 10 pull ups, then 10 pull downs 40kg. 3 times.

Its good alongside pull ups, in addition. But not just on their own.

Yeah fair enough.

Take my advice about the hack squat tho, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED haha.

:D

[Jamie Taylor]

Ross doing what you said ( low weight, high reps ) would be completely pointless, as would be ever going within 10 feet of a pulldown machine.

You do realise that training high reps with low weight will do absolutely nothing for weight loss and will only possibly slightly aid with muscular endurance. Strength training would be much better for your goals mate. Also why are you using sets of 10 reps ?

I think we need a chat haha

[sjharvey]

Truth right there!

In terms of strength training, I would start to look at trying out a few circuits, as this would closer mimic MMA, hence the reason most, if not all fighters do them.

Look at compound exercises with as little rest in between as possible, and also look at your muscular endurance, a lot of the time this is where people 'gas' quicker. Look especially at your hamstring endurance, with things like bridges, Fit ball leg curls etc. as I know that myself this is where i have tended to suffer in the past.

What's worked well for me in the past is alternating heavy weights one week and lighter weights the other week. I could do heavy one week then circuits the next so I would be doing each of those two weeks each out of the month.

That would work quite well for me so might do that in the future. I can progress on both types of training like that. And I think they would benefit and complement each other so I could be more well rounded and slowly improve on everything.

[ross90]

Ross doing what you said ( low weight, high reps ) would be completely pointless, as would be ever going within 10 feet of a pulldown machine.

You do realise that training high reps with low weight will do absolutely nothing for weight loss and will only possibly slightly aid with muscular endurance. Strength training would be much better for your goals mate. Also why are you using sets of 10 reps ?

I think we need a chat haha

LMAO! Tbh Im not too sure about set amounts and that, we would definately need to sort something out once i manage to get enough money coming into afford a gym membership as well.

I know the low weight high reps would be better for endurance, but would it only be slight? I thought it would be more than that. Also with the strength training, would i put a lot of weight on, because i would need to cut to around 66 to put a decent amount of muscle on.

Yeah we need a chat probably lol. Id just come and do it all on the strength machines in the gym, in the other room. I saw a few weights etc. Is there everything you need in there? I'll start paying monthly i think, back there on monday with a knee strap on, its better now thank god Im going crazy sat doing fuck all.

[sjharvey]

LMAO! Tbh Im not too sure about set amounts and that, we would definately need to sort something out once i manage to get enough money coming into afford a gym membership as well.

I know the low weight high reps would be better for endurance, but would it only be slight? I thought it would be more than that. Also with the strength training, would i put a lot of weight on, because i would need to cut to around 66 to put a decent amount of muscle on.

Yeah we need a chat probably lol. Id just come and do it all on the strength machines in the gym, in the other room. I saw a few weights etc. Is there everything you need in there? I'll start paying monthly i think, back there on monday with a knee strap on, its better now thank god Im going crazy sat doing fuck all.

I'm going to keep this simple because if I over complicate it I might confuse myself haha. The one thing I do know is that free weights transfer a lot better to real life movements than machines. And they work all of your stabilizer muscles better too. The human body is designed to use many muscle groups as one to get the job done, not through isolation of a single muscle group.

Sorry to butt my nose in but thought it might be worth mentioning.

[Jamie Taylor]

Ross, you can train for strength and lose weight at the same time. My strength has increased a fair bit over the past 6 weeks and I have gone from 83k to 78k.

I'll try and explain but keep it simple. If you train mid / high volume ( lot of sets ) at say 8-12 reps and you are eating more calories than you burn then you will build muscle.

If you are training with sets of say 2-5 reps and lets say you are dieting you will get strong and lose fat at the same time. When you train low reps its more the cns that gets stimulated rather than the muscle fibres themselves whereas if you were bodybuilding ( where the aim is to target all available fibres and tearing the muscle down ) you would then get bigger muscles when they have repaired ( hope that makes sense ).

SJH is correct, ditch the machines and use free weights. They are far superior in terms of gaining strength, not so much for hypertrophy but yeah for what we do, fw are the best option.

Do a search for a thread started a while ago by Jono Lane named ' is leg press worth doing ' or something similar, has a lot of good info.

[Jamie Taylor]

Here it is

http://www.cagewarriors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48129

Just re-read that and its not the one I was thinking of LOL

Anyway have a look round the strength and conditioning section, plenty of good stuff on there pal.

[ross90]

Cheers Jay I appreciate it. I need to get from 80k to 70. so i can fight at around that weight possibly 64.

What do you think of using the other room in the gym? Is it worth doing? Im starting to pay monthly tommorow, so id be able to pop in if i asked dave maybe? I'll ask, but Im not sure if it has everything I'd need in there, I just glanced.

[sjharvey]

Cheers Jay I appreciate it. I need to get from 80k to 70. so i can fight at around that weight possibly 64.

What do you think of using the other room in the gym? Is it worth doing? Im starting to pay monthly tommorow, so id be able to pop in if i asked dave maybe? I'll ask, but Im not sure if it has everything I'd need in there, I just glanced.

You haven't really mentioned exactly what both rooms contain. A little more info might help people advise you a little better.

[ross90]

You haven't really mentioned exactly what both rooms contain. A little more info might help people advise you a little better.

He coaches at my gym mate. Thats why I was asking him, he knows what they contain. Thats why I wanted to know, because I've just glanced.

[sjharvey]

He coaches at my gym mate. Thats why I was asking him, he knows what they contain. Thats why I asked him, because I've just glanced I don't even know.

Cool. Good luck mate.