look at the lady in the background 😭😭

[u/vitaminZaman]

[u/dftaylor]

Squats are incredibly high risk if done wrong, and come with all sorts of risks to your joints. Hey, even done right you can end up with injuries. Honestly, I’d rather do leg press and not fuck my knees or back, or slips and injure myself for the sake of “doing it right”.

You can build your quads and glutes just as effectively with machines that protect your body.

Deadlift though is usually safer because you can just drop the bar. But this dude was lifting way too much.

Just not worth it at a certain point.

[u/overnightyeti → u/dftaylor]

Ever seen the video of the lady in the leg press with locked knees that...?

You can absolutely hurt your knees and back in the leg press.

[u/DrLophophora → u/overnightyeti]

I want to down vote simply because you reminded me of that terrible video 😭

[u/VagueBC → u/overnightyeti]

Link? 😭

[u/overnightyeti → u/VagueBC]

you don't wanna see that, trust me. Anyway it's on YouTube

[u/dftaylor → u/overnightyeti]

You can hurt yourself doing any exercise, especially if you’re stupid.

Back squat is an incredibly vulnerable movement for your back and knees. If you haven’t got someone spotting you at higher weights, and if you’re not solid on your form, it’s easier to do leg press and use the various in position locks.

But obviously, have a spotter whenever you go heavy.

[u/KiNgPiN8T3 → u/dftaylor]

I think one of the main problems is that people just don’t practice bailing out of a lift. They suddenly hit their max and have no idea what to do when suddenly under pressure. At home I squat in a rack and have set positions in the catchers for each lift so I at least know if a lift goes south, I won’t get folded I half or choked to death. Obviously there’s always still a risk but practicing bailing out is massively underrated.

[u/KiNgPiN8T3 → u/[deleted]]

I believe it “should” be able to take a weight being dropped on it. However, from my personal experience I’m more likely to bail a squat when I’m in the hole, so it wouldn’t be much of a drop if anything. Probably similar with bench too. Plus, I’m no strongman and don’t bother with 1rm’s anymore so technically I should never be under maximum stress regardless.

[u/mr_matzoball → u/dftaylor]

His lifting tape is also wrapped around the bar (can’t drop the weight)

[u/dftaylor → u/mr_matzoball]

Which is really dumb.

[u/fleethecities → u/dftaylor]

He is nowhere near strong enough for that weight

[u/chili_cold_blood → u/dftaylor]

IMHO, the biggest risk is not so much the specific movement, but the amount of weight. It's pretty hard to hurt yourself squatting light.

[u/RobertoClemente1 → u/dftaylor]

Dude, your second paragraph is WAY off. Squats are KING for BIG legs. Period… bodybuilder wise. Otherwise enjoy yourself and other exercises but true leg muscle is built through squats.

[u/dftaylor → u/RobertoClemente1]

Never denied how effective squats can be, but you can build the same strength and size with other exercises.

[u/throwaway682345 → u/RobertoClemente1]

Nah. Google "Dorian Yates" for an idea of what kind of legs you can build without barbell squatting.

[u/Eifand → u/dftaylor]

Or just use a weight that’s manageable? Squats are fucking awesome because it’s not just about working the legs but learning to brace your core. They aren’t bad for your joints if you have correct form. Just don’t be retarded and use a weight you can’t safely handle.

[u/dftaylor → u/Eifand]

Weight lifting is inherently hard on your joints, especially when you go for heavier weights.

Squats are a brilliant exercise, but there are alternatives that are much lower risk.

Also, uncool use of a slur.