Is it possible to get big legs without squatting?

Bigger Stronger Leaner
22

I’d argue even better than squats in many cases

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23

This would be a fair argument.

24

No stability issues, peripheral fatigue, better mechanics for targeting quads or posterior… etc

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25

Add in safety factors and injury factors and the scales to tend to tip towards other exercises. But there is just something about squatting heavy that no other exercise does in my opinion.

26

Curious then

were his legs massive when he was doing squats

or did they grow when stopped doing squats

i have no idea

27

I agree and i would say…all bodybuilders started out doing squats early in there career

I am sure even Gironda did squats when he started out…but later on, he indicated they were not as efficient as the barbell hack squats (going by memory, sorry if i am wrong)…i would not say his legs were massive by todays standards

28

Eric Heiden squatted with 205 pounds for 300 reps. Rested 20 minutes and did it again.

He once held a wall squat for one hour.

His thighs were only 29 inches however.

29

I feel as though, if we’re to take a lesson from this, it would be to train as bodybuilders trained to GET to that point and then, upon arriving at that point, use the methods they used to get beyond that point.

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30

Squatting heavy with no injuries is the best exercise, really taxes the system too

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31

I like that

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32

Yes they were massive when he was squatting compared to us mere mortals. But they got even bigger later in his career without squats.

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33

Arguable… taller people are at a disadvantage and considering all the peripheral fatigue it’s likely not optimal but still a great option. Guess context matters the most

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34

He went to hacks, leg presses and extensions… don’t recall ever seeing him do lunges, Bulgarians, or anything else

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35

he did do hamstring and calf work …:wink:

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36

I agree about taller people, i am 5’7" and stocky so it worked for me until my back started giving out

never had massive legs either, lol

37

He was a failure guy…not sure if you can safely do lunges to failure without breaking the leg, lol

38

I think some tall dudes might be able to still squat pretty good

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39

I meant for quads hehe

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40

Ugh… can you imagine even trying ??

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41

Helllllll no