The hack squat is performed on a machine that virtually locks your body into place at an angle. Properly performing the hack squat presents no health risk to your knees. However, if you have a history of knee problems the hack squat -- along with...
The hack squat is named for its inventor, George Hackenschmidt, a Russian weightlifter who lived in the early part of the 19th century. It's a variation of a regular squat. Similar to a regular squat, it's a compound exercise that targets the...
Several different machines at a typical gym can help you develop your legs. The hack squat machine is a gym machine that is used to strengthen and develop your quadriceps muscles. The machine is made of steel and is set at a 45-degree angle with a...
Squats are a method of strengthening and developing the muscles of your lower body. The basic body-weight squat works your thighs, buttocks, hips, abdomen and calves by lowering your buttocks toward the floor by bending your knees. However,...
The hack squat and lying leg curl both are lower body strength exercises that involve the hamstrings, but this is where the similarities end. The hack squat is a compound, multi-joint exercise and the lying leg curl is an isolation, single-joint...
If the pads of the hack squat machine hurt your shoulders while they are pressing down, perform the exercise in the same manner that George Hackenschmidt, the legendary strongman who invented the exercise, did it -- with a barbell. In the days...
Numerous free weight exercises are extremely effective for the quadricep muscles of the anterior thigh including squats, front squats, lunges, leg presses, hack squats and leg extensions. Performed consistently, and with correct form, these free...
A rope hack exercise adds additional features to the traditional squat to exercise both the upper and lower body muscles for a more complete workout. This exercise can be done at home or at the gym by using pulley weights with rope attachments. A...
The muscles that stabilize the knee include the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. The quads stabilize the knee from the front, the hamstrings stabilize the back of the knee and the gastrocnemius muscle of the calf stabilizes the sides of the...
The weight-bearing muscles of your lower body, particularly your glutes and quadriceps, are extremely powerful. Consequently, you must train them with great intensity to get results. Your workout should include isolation exercises, as well as...
To build muscle in your derriere, exercises should target the gluteus maximus. The gluteus maximus is the largest of the buttocks muscles, and it is the one that mass can be added to if you want a larger and stronger butt. The Aerobics and Fitness...
Your quadriceps, or thigh muscles, are one of the largest muscles in your body. Working your quadriceps through various strength-training exercises helps create a lean, muscular look for your upper legs. Use body-weight resistance, free weights...
Strength-training machines are ideal for isolating a certain muscle or muscle groups. The design of these machines position your body in such a way that only the body parts you are training move. The rest of your body remains still. This helps you...
Dumbbells are an essential tool for many bodybuilders and physical fitness professionals. Not only are dumbbells portable and relatively inexpensive compared with other strength-training equipment, dumbbells also make numerous strength-training...
The importance of good leg development cannot be overstressed. Some people think they can work only their upper body and just never wear shorts, but they're wrong. In Robert Kennedy's "Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding," MuscleMag International...
Exercise machines offer a safe means to working out. Machines are great for beginners who need to learn the basic movements of different exercises without an added load of weight to have to balance. Leg squat machines allow you to safely work your...
Several machines can help you develop strong quadriceps and hamstrings, which are essential for powerful leg thrusts. Making such machine exercises part of your regular workout routine increases your strength for other mass-building exercises,...
In bodybuilding, it is essential to have a well-balanced, symmetrical physique. If you have been training your legs with the same exercises for some time, you might notice that your outer thighs are not as developed as your inner thighs. Including...
The full squat develops leg power, strength and overall size by placing great stress on the leg muscles. The movement requires you to move a heavy weight through a wide range of motions, squatting until your knees and hips are fully bent. This...
The best way to gain weight on your thighs is to engage in resistance training to build muscle in the quadriceps. Gaining weight in the thighs also requires increasing caloric intake, because the food you ingest provides the raw materials for your...
While it may be more enjoyable to focus on your chest, biceps and triceps, you must work your legs to create a balanced physique. Skinny quadriceps, hamstrings and calves with a well-built upper body look out of proportion. Work each leg muscle...
One way to build strong and toned legs is to use machines that are built to target your leg muscles specifically. Some machines will work your legs in isolation and others will use compound movements. Be sure to follow the instruction labels on...
Inline speed skating is a competitive sport, often referred to as inline racing, which requires a large amount of strength from the quads. Your quads, also known as quadriceps, are large muscles that stretch across the front of your legs. They...
Leg squats are an effective way to work a large number of muscles in one workout. More than just an upper thigh workout, squats also engage your core and your lower legs to support the movement of your body. Although you can do squats with just...
Bodybuilding exercises like squatting can put a tremendous amount of stress on the knee joints. Applying knee wraps can help alleviate this pressure during maximum lifts. Don't forget to train with a spotter when doing squats or deadlifts to...
Squats are a great functional lower body exercise and a staple of any well-rounded weight training regimen. But for some folks, the shoulder pain experienced while doing squats detracts from the exercise, making it difficult to execute a squat...
Many men neglect the legs and butt, in favor of training the "mirror" muscles, such as the arms, chest and shoulders. Training the large and oft overlooked muscles of the legs and butt helps to burn fat and may do as much for building upper body...
There are an overwhelming amount of strength training programs to choose from. Look at the variables that go into strength training programs. What’s your current level of strength? How much strength training experience do you have? Are you...
Bar placement plays a chief role in selecting the best squat for bodybuilding. Power lifters squat with the bar placed along the shoulder blades. Squatting with lower bar placement helps you generate more power but takes the emphasis off muscle...
What is a barbell hack squat? Learn how to do leg exercises and weightlifting in this workout video.
