Squats and women

[KatCali85]

My sister won't do squats. What's better for her, leg presses, smith machine squats, leg extensions or dumbbell lunges?

[bamazav]

Originally Posted by KatCali85

My sister won't do squats. What's better for her, leg presses, smith machine squats, leg extensions or dumbbell lunges?

This is one of those "depends" questions. Depends on if she is new to lifting, lifting a while, preexisting conditions, etc...

If she is new to lifting, I would start with lunges or Split squats. Leg extensions are limited in their effectiveness, IMHO. Machine squats can be hard on the back, and my experience is that if they won't do BB squats they probably won't do Smith's either. Leg press can be helpful, if done correctly. My newbs usually start with Goblet Squats, step ups, split squats and Lunge varieties.

[KatCali85]

Goblet squats might be a winner. I completely forgot about that exercise. She wants to try smith squats because it seems to be the popular leg exercise for several women at the gym.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by bamazav

This is one of those "depends" questions. Depends on if she is new to lifting, lifting a while, preexisting conditions, etc...

If she is new to lifting, I would start with lunges or Split squats. Leg extensions are limited in their effectiveness, IMHO. Machine squats can be hard on the back, and my experience is that if they won't do BB squats they probably won't do Smith's either. Leg press can be helpful, if done correctly. My newbs usually start with Goblet Squats, step ups, split squats and Lunge varieties.

Goblet squats, as suggested by Bam, would actually be an excellent replacement for back squats.

[dmaipa]

I use goblet squats with the majority of my athletes to teach them squat technique, and are still very effective because it teaches the lifter to keep their torso upright.

Here is me with a dumbbell variation


another exercise would be step-ups and split squat variations

[KatCali85]

I showed her this video and we tried goblet squats at the gym last night. She loved them. Thanks so much!

[dmaipa]

Originally Posted by KatCali85

I showed her this video and we tried goblet squats at the gym last night. She loved them. Thanks so much!

solid! glad i could help!