The Vertical Leg Press is one of the most effective weight machines for building and toning your quadriceps. With this piece of equipment, you can target either the front or back of your thighs in order to sculpt and define one side at a time. To get started, please read on for information about what the vertical leg press machine does, how it works, how much it costs, and who should use it.
This article discusses what a vertical leg press machine is as well as its benefits. It also shows step-by-step instructions on how to use the machine correctly.
The Benefits of the Vertical Leg Press
The vertical leg press is one weight machine that is effective at targeting the quadriceps. A person does this by sitting in a chair and then lowering their feet down to the floor wide enough for them to balance on it. The person will then position the platform in such a way that either the front or back of their thighs can be targeted. It requires people to maintain balance while challenging their muscles with different movements than other types of exercise.
Some benefits of these exercises include:
- Increases muscle mass for quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
- Creates a laser-sharp v-line from your hips down to your knees.
- Puts thigh muscles under more tension than they would be during a normal squat (stronger muscles don’t always equal bigger, but they can make you much more cut and lean).
- Strengthens the knees against outside forces.
- This machine works all four of your thigh muscles: your quads and both heads of your hamstrings.
This machine also allows you to target either the front or back of your thighs in order to sculpt and define one side at a time. You can’t just do this with any other weight machines that work the quads because many of them allow you only to target one of your quad muscles at a time.
Why You Should Do It
With this piece of equipment, you can target either the front or back of your thighs in order to sculpt and define one side at a time. These exercises are very challenging because they force you to maintain balance. While challenging your muscles in ways that are unique from other types of exercise.
- Increase the size and definition of your quadriceps
- Work both the front and back of each thigh individually
- Target trouble spots in otherwise underdeveloped areas of your hip flexors
How to do it
Here are the steps to take for doing a Vertical Leg Press:
- Stand facing the machine and place your feet under the pads.
- Put your hands either on the bar or on the rails next to it.
- Step back until you feel a bit of resistance.
- Carefully step onto the platform with one foot and then into the air as you push off with that foot. Switch feet and repeat for as many sets as you want.
- Once you’re done, carefully step off and “land” on both feet again.
The vertical leg press is an excellent machine to use to target one side at a time in order to sculpt and define one side of your quadriceps at a time. It also increases the size and definition of your leg muscles as well as targets trouble spots in areas that can often be underdeveloped.
How much does it cost?
A vertical leg press machine costs anywhere from $600.00-$2000.00 depending on the quality and features that it offers.
How often should you do it?
A good rule to follow when you’re working out is that there’s no such thing as too much. However, if you’re looking for a guideline, 20-30 sets per week will be enough to get the best results. You should also make sure to do at least 10-15 sets of squats and lunges per week in addition to your leg presses.
One of the most common reasons why people don’t like doing squats is because they can be hard on your knees. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. Leg press exercises are a great alternative because they allow you to work out all the same muscles while taking a lot less strain off of your joints.
When is the best time to do it?
There is no particular time guaranteed to be the best to do a vertical leg press. It’s best done when you have time and feel it’s convenient for you.
Some people, however, may find it more difficult to do them at home because of the lack of equipment. In this case, they may want to go to a gym or fitness center that has these machines.
What results can you expect?
The results that you can expect depend on the time and effort that you decide to put into workouts. You can expect to see results in as little as four weeks if you do the exercises on a daily basis. It takes more than one exercise session to see any significant change. So sessions should be weekly or biweekly at first for maximum effect.
Disadvantages
Following are some disadvantages of Vertical Leg Press:
- Risk for injury
- Can’t do as a group activity
- Requires equipment that might not be available in your area
- Might take up too much space in your home or office
- Equipment can cost money
- Space requirement
- Takes more effort than just walking on a treadmill
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Lack of variety
- Lack of variation
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to build and tone your quadriceps, the vertical leg press machine is one of the most effective weight machines. It’s designed so that you can target either the front or back of your thighs in order to sculpt and define one side at a time. As long as it doesn’t cause pain when performing these movements, try doing this workout 2-3 times per week with 5 sets each day (10 repetitions on each set). You’ll notice improvements within just two weeks.
