Hi Nation,

I suffered an ACL tear a few months ago. Still waiting on finding out the severity of the tear but my team physio has been having me do "pre-hab" work in case I'll need surgery. One of the exercises prescribed has been a leg press but my gym doesn't have one. So I have been attempting to use the smith machine we have.

To do this i have been lying under the bar of the smith machine, with the weight required and placing my feet up on the underside of bar. I then use my feet to unhook the bar and allow the bar to come down towards me then push back up.

Will this be doing a similar job? I know with it being a vertical push up it may target different muscles.

Thanks

Blair

Blair, I do this all the time with my Smith Machine. The overhead leg press is harder as the weight is directly over your head. When you do the 45 degree leg press, sure to the angle and physics you are only pressing 70% of the weight on the sled. I miss the real overhead leg presses my gyms back in the U.S> had so this is my way to do the same exercise without them. JohnBlair, I do this all the time with my Smith Machine. The overhead leg press is harder as the weight is directly over your head. When you do the 45 degree leg press, due to the angle and physics you are only pressing 70% of the weight on the sled. I miss the real overhead leg presses my gyms back in the U.S had so this is my way to do the same exercise without them. John