1ST SET
ASK MERLIN
BY ERIC “MERLIN” BROSER
SQUAT LESS?
YOU DON’T NEED THE SO-CALLED KING OF EXERCISES
TO BUILD TREE TRUNKS.
ARE BARBELL
SQUATS
ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY
FOR BUILDING
REALLY HUGE
QUADS?
Without a doubt—the
barbell squat is an
awesome, basic
exercise for igniting
mass and strength gains
in the quads. Some of
the biggest thighs ever
seen in the world of
bodybuilding (think of
Platz, Coleman, Greene,
and Warren) were
created with this
movement serving as
the foundation of their
leg-training programs.
But most guys (and
gals) who swear by the
superiority of barbell
squats are almost
always perfectly built
for the movement, easily
allowing for perfect
technique, a full range
of motion, optimal torso
positioning, and more
direct targeting of the
quads’ musculature.
For many others, this
exercise is awkward
and uncomfortable,
and it results in greater
butt and lower-back
stimulation and stress
than anything else—no
matter how carefully
each rep is executed.
As an example, I
worked quite diligently
on perfecting my form
on barbell squats for my
first 10 years of training,
eventually working up to
sets of 10 to 12 textbook
reps with 405 pounds
(not much weight for
some, but it was an
increase of more than
350 pounds from where
I began).
Did my quads become
massive from my loyalty
to the barbell squat?
Unfortunately, the
answer is no. They got a
little bigger, for sure, but
my glutes always grew
disproportionately
(not a good look), and my
lower back took quite a
wicked beating (resulting
in more than one painful
injury). It was not until
I decided to scrap the
barbell squats and
switch over to hack,
sissy, and machine
squats (as well as
various types of leg
presses) that my legs
finally began to take on
significant development.
The key difference
was that I was able to
feel these movements
to a far greater degree
in the target muscles
and put much more
mental focus and
intensity into every
rep of every set.
Still, I do recommend
every new lifter give
the barbell back squat
a fair chance. Do not
be lazy or look to take
the easy way out.
Work hard and long
on perfecting them,
then honestly assess
whether they are
effective as a quad
builder for you or not.
Just do not let anyone
tell you that you cannot
build big legs without
regularly performing
the barbell squat.
ALTERNATIVE QUADS CRUSHER WORKOUT
Sets Reps Tempo
Hack Squat 3 6–8 4/1/X
Leg Extension
superset with
Walking Barbell Lunge 2 10–12 2/0/1/2
2 10–12 per leg 2/1/1
16–20,
13–15, 10–12 3/0/X
Single-leg Press
3
Follow on Instagram:
@coachericbroser
20
FLEX | JANUARY 2018
Exercise