Confused about Leg Press

Sup Guys

i trust all is well, and that everyone is ready for the week.

i was at gym yesterday afternoon, training chest. My gf was with me, after a set she point to the leg press machine and asked me why!

so i turned to see what she was fussing about, and see a teenager with a personal trainer at the leg press, the confusing part is, there was a 20kg racked! yes thats right, just one 20kg plate on one side!

if it was just the skinny teen there alone, i wouldve taught he doesnt know what he is doing, but seeing as he had a PT with him, i figured theres something i dont know...

so can anyone here help me understand what the reason is behind a weight on just one side?

also, the PT was busy on BBM...

well... it might have been rehab for an injury and if you place your foot alot to the side te weight is put on it could still work....

I don't see why this whole affair is so mind boggling... (there is a very big probabillity that they are both just deur die kak) have you considered that too?

The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

Thunderbeast wrote: well... it might have been rehab for an injury and if you place your foot alot to the side te weight is put on it could still work....

I don't see why this whole affair is so mind boggling... (there is a very big probabillity that they are both just deur die kak) have you considered that too?

i just assumed that if 20kg is your limit, then 10kg on each side would be the logical thing to do, but the guy was using both legs, and didnt seem to have an injury..

i just taught the PT didnt know there was a plate on one side only...

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

W.Daly wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

haha, nice...Newtons 3rd law of gravitation

I think the only effect having a set roller mechansim (leg press or smith machine) is gonna do is help with balance. I can understand it working for light weights but obviously if the weights get to heavy there is going to be an imbalance & more friction on the one side.

Maybe the PT couldn't find two 10kg so just used 20kg on one side.

W.Daly wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

jackrabbit1 wrote:

W.Daly wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

yoh, oom... is it necessary to bring the wife into this?
or is it that time of the month and you needed to vent?

Thunderbeast wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote:

W.Daly wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

yoh, oom... is it necessary to bring the wife into this?
or is it that time of the month and you needed to vent?

Both! Married?

jackrabbit1 wrote: Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

Not a rocket scientist but is an engineer close enough? The only real differences between the leg press and the smith is that the LP is inclined and and has a flat board for you to exert a force on. When using a smith I can tell instantly if there's an extra 1.25kg on one side, on a LP even if I have 200kg+ stacked on I can still tell if one side is heavier than the other even if its only by 5kg

This is one debate I'm never gonna lose

jackrabbit1 wrote:

Thunderbeast wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote:

W.Daly wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: The Machine functions as a unit. 20 Kg's on one side only isnt going to change anything.

Like a RollerCoasterBuggy - one passenger isnt going to make it lobsided.

I dunno about that, just because you dont have to balance the weight doesn't mean its distributed equally. You telling me if I load up 100kg on one side of the smith (same principle) my arms will feel the load of 50kg each?

totally agree!

the side with more weight, would have a greater pull towards Earth

Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

yoh, oom... is it necessary to bring the wife into this?
or is it that time of the month and you needed to vent?

Both! Married?

im so far from married its not even funny.... my girlfriend are what other people call dumbells...

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

Not a rocket scientist but is an engineer close enough? The only real differences between the leg press and the smith is that the LP is inclined and and has a flat board for you to exert a force on. When using a smith I can tell instantly if there's an extra 1.25kg on one side, on a LP even if I have 200kg+ stacked on I can still tell if one side is heavier than the other even if its only by 5kg

This is one debate I'm never gonna lose

then you are not pressing enough... hahahaha

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

Not a rocket scientist but is an engineer close enough? The only real differences between the leg press and the smith is that the LP is inclined and and has a flat board for you to exert a force on. When using a smith I can tell instantly if there's an extra 1.25kg on one side, on a LP even if I have 200kg+ stacked on I can still tell if one side is heavier than the other even if its only by 5kg

This is one debate I'm never gonna lose

Okay DG - i give you that.... on your rickety varsity/home LP maybe. But the LP you find at most VA's wont make a difference. At least not for 20Kg's. (Probably more) just never tried anything more than one plate myself since we always try to balance it naturally right? I often just load 1 plate extra when i need a half.

As for the Smith - there is a biiiig play between left and right. 1 set of guides as opposed to the 4 on LP. On top of that the LP has a solid plate between these guides/rollers and there is no play and no chance of the structure deforming thus spreading the load fairly evenly over the 4 rollers. Structural/civil/mechanical engineer?

i did leg press the other day with an extra 10kg plate that some nob had hidden between the twenties that i didn't notice at all till i got off.. VA leg press.

^^^i have no idea how relevant that statement is, or whose argument it backs, just thought I'd add

jackrabbit1 wrote:

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: Common rocket scientists - 20Kg's arent gonna do squat. And noone is talking 100Kg's either - Like my wife you are dreaming up scenarios that arent spec'ed - the original question was about 20Kg's.

And the Smith machine's left and right are waaaaay more independant than the Leg-press. The LegPress is a large rollered block which balances out the weight to a very large degree.

Not a rocket scientist but is an engineer close enough? The only real differences between the leg press and the smith is that the LP is inclined and and has a flat board for you to exert a force on. When using a smith I can tell instantly if there's an extra 1.25kg on one side, on a LP even if I have 200kg+ stacked on I can still tell if one side is heavier than the other even if its only by 5kg

This is one debate I'm never gonna lose

Okay DG - i give you that.... on your rickety varsity/home LP maybe. But the LP you find at most VA's wont make a difference. At least not for 20Kg's. (Probably more) just never tried anything more than one plate myself since we always try to balance it naturally right? I often just load 1 plate extra when i need a half.

As for the Smith - there is a biiiig play between left and right. 1 set of guides as opposed to the 4 on LP. On top of that the LP has a solid plate between these guides/rollers and there is no play and no chance of the structure deforming thus spreading the load fairly evenly over the 4 rollers. Structural/civil/mechanical engineer?

within limits it will not do anything (cause major imbalance) but over time if it is done, i can think that it is going to fuck up those little rollers it runs on....but if there is not alot of play in movement for those weels/rails then it will take a while to notice any wear and tear...

jackrabbit1 wrote: Okay DG - i give you that.... on your rickety varsity/home LP maybe. But the LP you find at most VA's wont make a difference. At least not for 20Kg's. (Probably more) just never tried anything more than one plate myself since we always try to balance it naturally right? I often just load 1 plate extra when i need a half.

As for the Smith - there is a biiiig play between left and right. 1 set of guides as opposed to the 4 on LP. On top of that the LP has a solid plate between these guides/rollers and there is no play and no chance of the structure deforming thus spreading the load fairly evenly over the 4 rollers. Structural/civil/mechanical engineer?

Might just go into VA just to check out the LP, let's call recess until further evidence can be brought forth

Structural/Geotechnical/Urban Engineer, UCT has prepared us well

Deadgoat wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote: Okay DG - i give you that.... on your rickety varsity/home LP maybe. But the LP you find at most VA's wont make a difference. At least not for 20Kg's. (Probably more) just never tried anything more than one plate myself since we always try to balance it naturally right? I often just load 1 plate extra when i need a half.

As for the Smith - there is a biiiig play between left and right. 1 set of guides as opposed to the 4 on LP. On top of that the LP has a solid plate between these guides/rollers and there is no play and no chance of the structure deforming thus spreading the load fairly evenly over the 4 rollers. Structural/civil/mechanical engineer?

Might just go into VA just to check out the LP, let's call recess until further evidence can be brought forth

Structural/Geotechnical/Urban Engineer, UCT has prepared us well

can see someone studies law.

I think DG has more sense than to study law, no offence VonD

Hey DG, when you qualify please will you fix that half-finished highway in the middle of CT. Otherwise someone might just get hurt one of these days or drive off backwards (that adverts all true i promise), lol.

Supposedly it was going to go over a grave yard, hence the reason the project stopped./

@vonD,I'm good at math, so I didn't have to go into law (no offenece Chapel )
@StuI always chuckle when I see that bridge, it leads straight into a building! :lol:

@00pump that was pretty from the engineers perspective as you're supposed to do your research and site investigation on surrounding areas and get clearance BEFORE you start construction

Deadgoat wrote: @vonD,I'm good at math, so I didn't have to go into law (no offenece Chapel )
@StuI always chuckle when I see that bridge, it leads straight into a building! :lol:

@00pump that was pretty from the engineers perspective as you're supposed to do your research and site investigation on surrounding areas and get clearance BEFORE you start construction

thanks fot the law comment DG.
PS I do law and my Math (real math not lit) mark in gr.12 was86.4%

VonD wrote: thanks fot the law comment DG.
PS I do law and my Math (real math not lit) mark in gr.12 was86.4%

lmao my bad, high school math and varsity maths are like chalk and cheese mate. Matriculated with 94% for math, 1st year June exam for math I got 12%! :blush: And I worked my ass off for that 12% :lol:

Deadgoat wrote:

VonD wrote: thanks fot the law comment DG.
PS I do law and my Math (real math not lit) mark in gr.12 was86.4%

lmao my bad, high school math and varsity maths are like chalk and cheese mate. Matriculated with 94% for math, 1st year June exam for math I got 12%! :blush: And I worked my ass off for that 12% :lol:

haha good luck with exams bra.

Deadgoat wrote:

VonD wrote: thanks fot the law comment DG.
PS I do law and my Math (real math not lit) mark in gr.12 was86.4%

lmao my bad, high school math and varsity maths are like chalk and cheese mate. Matriculated with 94% for math, 1st year June exam for math I got 12%! :blush: And I worked my ass off for that 12% :lol:

Mine exactly the opposite. 59% for Matric and 83% for 1st year eng math. But not the 1st attempt at 1st year though :lol: that was 24%. They had to lower the entry mark for the exam - the engineering students flunked out big time that year.