Dumbbell Squats

My gym has no power rack, and I don’t like using the smith machine. They have a Hammer Strength leg press, but it doesn’t really feel like it’s hitting my quads well. They Do have dumbbells up to 130 lb. I was thinking of trying dumbbell squats. It should also be some awesome grip training. Anyone else tried this exercise? It feels like a nice cross between deadlift and squat, depending on where you place the 'bells at the bottom.

Check out the Limp into October Series. Ian King offers a large number of none squat exercises. You could also try Barbell Hack squats, Sissy Squats and Jefferson lifts. If you really want to kill the quad get yourself a lifting harness from Ironmind. And there are several over exercise thaT not only work the legs, but overall athletic ability: Clean and front squat, Overhead squats, etc. Best of Luck.

Dumbell squats are ok but i’d much rather do dumbell lunges or split squats (rear leg elevated) with them.

Hmmm, yeah! I found an illustration of the barbell hack squat in issue #182. That looks like a good one to try, too.
I frequently do stiff-legged deads using dumbbells. It occurred to me that there is potential here for a combination exercise for days when you have limited time in the gym: Start with dumbbells on the floor on the outside of each foot. Pull them up, performing a concentric squat, which is primarily quad dominant, since the balance is perfect and torso is upright, then, at the top, perform a stiff-legged dead, returning to the top, and then lowering the 'bells to the floor beside the feet in the starting position. All muscle groups trained at once: quads, hams, glutes, posterior chain up through traps, grip, abs and serratus as core stabilizers. Damn, that one’s sure to get ya huffin!

When you have done the SLDL (before returning to standing position) do a DB bent over row for some added work.