Leg Press in place of Squat due to injured neck..

[Arith]

Hi guys. I injured my neck significantly a few years ago and doing squats is really uncomfortable, would doing leg presses be a decent alternative? I know a lot of people here hate peg presses but im curious. Thanks.

[.V.]

First I'd suggest you check your squat bar placement. It doesn't really belong on the neck, that's what traps are for.

If you can't do it without causing your neck to have more problems, then there is really no GOOD alternative other than leg presses. Nothing wrong with them in my opinion, they aren't squats but they are a viable alternative.

[maverick]

You might also consider squat variations that don't involve the bar being anywhere near your neck, like hack or zercher squats.

[.V.]

Then there are always front squats done with the ego left at home.

[Arith]

Thanks guys. Its not so much that the bar is sitting on my neck, its not, its on my traps, its the curve of my neck that causes the discomfort. I had to have the disk between C2-C3 removed and replaced with a titanium plate. I did not lose much neck movement but it does bother me when i squat because of the way the neck curves when i keep my chin up. I like to go heavy but the heavier i go the more it tends to bother me. Its not an ego thing and i do know how to do squats properly.

[.V.]

Then an alternative squat or leg press it is. Once again, nothing wrong with the leg press. Plenty of people have used them as part of a program to get big and strong. Besides, you can do them heavy without worrying about the neck at all so why not?

[tim_mcf]

why not?

Good for the legs, but not so much for the hips and core. I would lean towards a squat variation if you can swing it. Maybe with dumbells, then you can work your grip at the same time.

[Rufiedodg]

TRAP BAR DEADLIFT!!!!!:

Dan

You have a plate in your neck? Even though squatting is a terrific exercise if your body strongly cautions you against it (and I say yours certianly is) then use something as a substitue. Looks like it is going to be leg presses!

[Arith]

Yeah, i do have a plate in my neck . I usually never notice that its there, my neck moves fine, its just that doing squats really makes my neck sore afterwards. Kinda sucks because i enjoyed doing them. I injured my neck training in mixed martial arts and had to have surgery. Its fine now, i'm still able to train in Muay Thai Kickboxing.......

[Symzie]

Originally Posted by Rufiedodg

TRAP BAR DEADLIFT!!!!!:

Dan

What he said ^

[Blaze]

If your looking for the benefit of the core excercise in squats...then I'd say Overhead squat. Light weight, but they'll kick your cores butt...

Wow, in technicality that's not possible

[LiftGirl]

Does it still hurt if you use a pad on the bar?

I would also lean toward one of the squat variations others have mentioned. It will be just as effective. No need to put yourself in pain.

[Arith]

Yeah, it does. Its not the bar on the neck that hurts its the way i have to curve my neck in order to keep my head up with the bar across my traps. Not very comfortable.......

[.V.]

Do it safe. Keep lifting a long time. Stick with the leg press.