I did 50 leg presses a day for two weeks — here’s what happened to my body

As a personal trainer, training my legs is one of my favorite things to do at the gym. So naturally, when I was asked to try 50 leg presses a day for two weeks, I jumped at the chance to find out more. I already include the leg press in my lower body workouts, however, I don’t tend to use it every day. Instead, like any good trainer would advise, I give my legs a break between workouts so that muscles can recover (and grow), ready for my next leg day. But what would happen if I did? Read on to find out more. 

Let’s start by taking a look at how to do a leg press. The leg press is a machine in which the user has a stationary padded seat in front of a moveable platform. This platform is pressed outwards by the legs and the weight of this platform can be changed by adding less or more weight. The machine pretty much mimics a barbell squat, except you’re seated.

There are different types of leg presses, however, the linear leg press is my preferred choice. The linear leg press, also known as an angled leg press, sits you at a 45-degree angle. There’s also the horizontal leg press, which as its name suggests, isn’t angled and is instead, horizontal. 

The beauty of a leg press machine is that different leg muscles can be targeted simply by changing your foot placement. It’s a great machine to build strength in the legs, and you can press with both legs or single legs. but more on that later. Plus, because you’re seated, pressure is taken off the core and lower back, unlike when doing a barbell squat.