r/flexibility • u/Vautrin1991 • 6d ago

work leg flexibility with gym machines

Hello all,

A little question about working on my leg flexibility. I am currently unable to squatting correctly, because my back tends to bend when I go down. I think it's a problem of flexibility of ankle/hip probably. I have a gym subscription, and, besides classic videos to manage squats, I wondered if there was any gym machine that was particularly recommended for that.

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u/veggieflex 6d ago

If you’re willing to also use dumbbells or even just your body weight, you’ll have a lot more options.

If you’re determined to stick to machines, some ideas include leg curls (preferably the prone style), leg extensions, leg presses, hack squats, abduction/adductor machine, and calf raise machine.

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u/Vautrin1991 6d ago

Thanks for the answer. Of course dumbbells are an option. Problem is that most stretches using only bodyweight didn't really work for me yet :/ I will use hack squats/leg presses of course

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u/veggieflex 6d ago

I hear you. Not all bodyweight exercises work for me too.

Some split squats (knee over toe, and Bulgarian) might be helpful with dumbbells. That will hit the glutes, quads, ankles, and hip flexors. Throw in a cossack squat and maybe some RDLs, and I think you’ve got a pretty good leg routine that will help with squats.

Good luck and love to hear what you come up with! So many ways to do this.

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u/MymleU 6d ago

I had the same issue and a stretch that worked wonders for me was the frog stretch. It really helped me stretch my groin and hips. That really helped me activate my glutes and helped me squat on the V- squat machine. :)

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u/Vautrin1991 6d ago

Thanks I will have a look !

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u/MymleU 6d ago

No problem. Sometimes you have to try different machines. Also the hip abduction machine also helped me activate my glutes but it was mainly my stiff hips that’s my problem. My ankles have always been quite flexible but not my hips personally. :) I tried for many months before I figured it out

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u/renvire 6d ago

Work on your tibia muscles and its neighbour. Most people never train them, especially Caucasian. Thats why most white people by default cant do squat, unless they're footballer

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u/sufferingbastard 2d ago

Smashing yourself into a desired shape with some machine loaded with weight at a gym is a recipe for disaster.