Dealing with a high-calf strain–or is it my knee? Interesting that two weeks ago was when it started, and that’s about the time I went up on my leg press poundage. Hmm. I’ve never been a fan of the restriction and knee compression the leg press machine causes–so, although I’m not sure that is the problem, I switched exercises. For quads I went back to cable squats, holding the low cables at waist level and leaning back. Unreal feel in my quads and rear–and no knee/calf pain. We’ll see what happens…
Quads: Cable squats (2×20,10 R/P 6 X-cel)
Calves: Skipped to avoid irritation
Hams: Flat-back hyperextensions (2×20,7 R/P 7 X-cel)
Chest: Machine dips (2×21,10 R/P 5 X-cel)
Midback: Machine rows (2×20,9
Lats: Pulldowns (2×19,9 R/P 6 X-cel)
Traps/Delts: Cable upright row
Traps/Delts: Cable upright row
Abs: Lying knee-ups (1×18); Incline knee-ups (1×7 R/P 4 + X Reps)
Note: My current program is based on methods in the new e-book MMX Fast Mega-Mass Workouts–the Max-Muscle X-pansion System.
New-Move Monday Summary
The cable squat is a great exercise that I got from Mr. America Doug Brignole. It’s a great angle for attacking quads and glutes from a unique angle–between a hack squat and a barbell squat. With the resistance pulling down and forward, you have to drive up and back somewhat. Quads burn like hell with 20 reps. Because that exercise went so well, that transferred to the rest of my workout. Great one.
Diet, Supplements & Nutrient Timing
For meal-by-meal diets plus training and nutrition info, see the X-treme Lean e-book.