Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-10-22 10:22 PM - Post#916018
Finally scored one of these contraptions! Hopefully, it will provide effective leg work without aggravating my various issues. The price was unbelievably low...and I told the fellow that his asking price was too low. Offered him fifty dollars more...told him it was still too low but he accepted my offer.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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Looks like you slide up and down the center metal post? Looks like you face the center post so you can release the lock handle?
Hope it works out well for you. Let us know how you like it. 
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JonZ
Total Posts: 1021
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01-10-22 11:15 PM - Post#916021
I do not know who developed these, but was it Frank Zane?
Bacon is the gateway meat. - Anthony Bourdain
The world needs fewer business majors and more history majors. - Carl Sagan
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lucktree
Total Posts: 890
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01-11-22 03:29 AM - Post#916026
Yes, Zane used a leg blaster!
| Power is nothing without control! |
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jp92
Total Posts: 650
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I don't know if the device is a leg blaster (hard to tell from the photo)?
Before Frank Zane brought it back, it was known as the Moore Squat Bar.
That's Harry Johnson the 1959 Mr America in the photos below. He only died less than two years ago at age 96.
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The Finn
Total Posts: 435
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Looks like you slide up and down the center metal post? Looks like you face the center post so you can release the lock handle?
It's hard to tell by the picture, but I think some of these machines have a detachable squat harness which you pick up on your shoulders and then squat while holding on to the handles. Sort of like the Dr Squat Safety Squat.
I've never seen one in a gym so far but it would be nice to try it sometimes.
"My grandma Olga, a famous Finnish Powerlifter, once told me,
'Little one, take care of your gastrointestinal tract
and it'll take care of you.'
Then she struck me with some salted herring."
- TC Luoma |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-11-22 09:12 AM - Post#916033
I do not know who developed these, but was it Frank Zane?
This device was originally called the "Moore Squat Bar." It went through a couple designs and packages. Never really caught on, since Moore was a relative unknown. Frank Zane purchased the rights to it, modified the design beneficially and called it the "Frank Zane Leg Blaster."
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-11-22 09:20 AM - Post#916034
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8BOCcTxi5I
Actual use of the device begins at 60 seconds.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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01-11-22 10:24 AM - Post#916037
I like it. Looks like you need enough plates on it so it can't move if you are pulling on it; like when you do the sissy squats.
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Neander
Total Posts: 7755
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01-12-22 01:04 AM - Post#916049
Good on Ya, Bill! You got one!
I've wanted to get hold of one of those for quite some time too. Let us know how it works out for you, and any squatting issues it alleviates for ya.
Yes!
Life's too short to worry about longevity.
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lucktree
Total Posts: 890
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01-12-22 03:34 AM - Post#916055
Every day is a school day!
| Power is nothing without control! |
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rvan
Total Posts: 755
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01-12-22 07:33 AM - Post#916064
I'd like to try one of them, How is it on the lower back?
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-12-22 11:55 AM - Post#916073
I'd like to try one of them, How is it on the lower back?
It lessens the involvement of the lower back because you can maintain such a vertical position. There is still some lower back involvement though, especially when lifting the yoke off the rack.
Since you can position yourself in such a way that it becomes a quad dominant movement, you don't need as much weight...and that is the other factor in lessening the lower back involvement.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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Stingo
Total Posts: 12873
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01-12-22 12:41 PM - Post#916076
Loved Franks harmonica serenade in the background ;-)
It’s interesting how techniques have modified over the years, gradual tweaking to get the most out of weight training and minimize injury.
~ Stingo ~
“A wise man once said nothing”
— a wise man |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-17-22 05:48 PM - Post#916157
Eased into my first workout with this device. I've a membership at Planet Fitness and have used the leg extension, leg curl, calf machine and leg press only for quite a while, now. I used to do a cable squat type of movement but it bothered my lower back when the weight got heavy enough to really stimulate the quads.
Holding onto the crossbar lightly, I did a progressively deeper squat (not loaded with the yoke) for about thirty reps. This was to warm up the knees a bit. (I'll have to do a longer warm up...at least that's how it feels.) This also allowed me to play with stance, width and closeness to the upright. I finally settled on a position that allowed a good straight up and down movement, without leaning back or forward. I tried to push through the heel, or more accurately, through the ankle.
I loaded the yoke with a 10 pound plate on each side. I haven't weighed the yoke, so have no idea of it's weight...but I'd guess it's about 25 to 30 pounds.
I duplicated what I did with the free squats. There is a little lower back loading, unlike the hip belt squat...but concentrating on maintaining an upright torso minimizes the lower back contribution. In essence, this is a quad-dominant movement. If you lean forward, it will quickly change it to hip and lower back but still not like a loaded back squat.
By the time I had completed 10 reps while really concentrating on the form and muscle engagement...my quads were complaining. They said "This is just too light to feel so heavy!"
Tomorrow will prove the results...but right now, my quads are a tad toasty. I feel it most at the vastus internus and the lateral quad.
More to follow.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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AAnnunz
Total Posts: 24932
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01-18-22 09:02 AM - Post#916165
Great report, Bill, but I don't understand the comparison to the hip belt squat. Which puts less stress on the lumbars?
| Be strong. Be in shape. Be a man among men, regardless of your age or circumstances. |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-18-22 01:52 PM - Post#916175
I probably could have worded it better, Uncle Al. Because the yoke rests on the shoulders, there is loading of the spine and the lower back, UNLIKE the hip belt squat, where the weight is actually below the majority of the spine. The upright position that this device allows minimizes the loading of the lower back but does not eliminate all loading.
Long story short...the hip belt loads the lumbars less.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-18-22 08:00 PM - Post#916187
The weight needed to get an adaptive response is similar when comparing the Leg Blaster and the Hip Belt Squat. Both require much less weight than any loaded free squat.
Knowing my history, I'd be surprised if I would ever need more than 100 pounds on this device. I seem to remember an article somewhere that detailed Dave and someone else trying the Leg Blaster for a workout. They peaked somewhere around 160-180 pounds.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-18-22 08:10 PM - Post#916188
Here's an excerpt from that article. Turns out it was Dave and Frank Zane:
"Then we moved to the Double Leg Blaster and did four sets of 15, 12, 10 and 8 reps in the squat with the upper body leaning slightly backward. This strict position forced the thighs to do all the work: I used 95, 115, 135 and 155 pounds for each successive set, while Dave worked up to 175 pounds on his last set of 8 reps. I followed Leg Blaster squats with Leg Blaster lunges for three sets of 10 reps with light weight of 35, 45 and 55 pounds. I finished off my thigh routine with Leg Blaster step-ups using 55 pounds for three sets of 10 reps while Dave did five sets of barbell full squats starting with 12 reps with 225 and increasing the weight to 405 while decreasing the reps on each set."
This was on this site. Full article available here:
https://www.davedraper.com/mag-frank-zane.html
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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jp92
Total Posts: 650
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01-19-22 12:45 AM - Post#916191
I probably could have worded it better, Uncle Al. Because the yoke rests on the shoulders, there is loading of the spine and the lower back, UNLIKE the hip belt squat, where the weight is actually below the majority of the spine. The upright position that this device allows minimizes the loading of the lower back but does not eliminate all loading.
Long story short...the hip belt loads the lumbars less.
Is the hip belt sold by IronMind (using a central loading pin) an effective leg strengthener or is it too cumbersome? Thanks for any insight.
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AAnnunz
Total Posts: 24932
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01-19-22 08:47 AM - Post#916199
I probably could have worded it better, Uncle Al. Because the yoke rests on the shoulders, there is loading of the spine and the lower back, UNLIKE the hip belt squat, where the weight is actually below the majority of the spine. The upright position that this device allows minimizes the loading of the lower back but does not eliminate all loading.
Long story short...the hip belt loads the lumbars less.
Thanks for the clarification. That is particularly important info for those who have stenosis.
| Be strong. Be in shape. Be a man among men, regardless of your age or circumstances. |
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Laree
Total Posts: 26002
Country: Z
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Login Name: ldraper
Date Agreed to Rules: 12-09-10
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Occupation: Website work
info_have_been_training_since: 12-31-79
Primary Training Purpose: Fitness and strength beats aging badly
Real Email Address: ld@davedraper.com
Homepage: davedraper.com
(Rhymes with Marie)
Full name: Laree Draper
Gender: female
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01-19-22 09:09 AM - Post#916201
Funny! Someone recently asked me to post that article with Frank. Thanks for digging it up for me. :~)
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-19-22 01:54 PM - Post#916211
Is the hip belt sold by IronMind (using a central loading pin) an effective leg strengthener or is it too cumbersome? Thanks for any insight.
The hip belt squat and the belt sold by IronMind certainly are effective for leg strengthening. Set up for their use IS cumbersome but over time, gets to be less so. I've tried lots of variations using the hip belt - using wood boxes upon which to stand. Balance is difficult for me, so a free squat with the hip belt (unless a partial move) wasn't really effective or safe. Using some type of secured strap gave me something to hold onto and assisted with balance.
To date, the most effective variation using the hip belt involved using a "landmine" attachment so that I could hookup to a lever bar. This type of hip belt squat is becoming more popular, using the landmine attachment or using a lever bar that attaches to your power cage. I'll post some YouTube videos as soon as I've rounded them up.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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First, the landmine variation. The landmine attachment isn't too well shown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLxtFt_KplU
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-19-22 02:17 PM - Post#916218
And one more. This has to be one of the most creative solutions I've seen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5mNNjZSMr8
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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AAnnunz
Total Posts: 24932
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If I'm at a gym that doesn't have a belt squat station, I like the landmine belt squat best. However, I find cable belt squats cause the least spine compression, although they do tend to pull you off balance and work the hips as much as the quads:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HzbDxNAWrI
| Be strong. Be in shape. Be a man among men, regardless of your age or circumstances. |
Edited by AAnnunz on 01-19-22 03:40 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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dhartnet
Total Posts: 1339
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01-20-22 08:54 AM - Post#916248
Great score Bill. Always wanted one myself and I do look around still to this day.
Best of luck with it and your training...
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jp92
Total Posts: 650
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Thanks. I received an old hip belt from my brother and this looks like the best option for me.
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Richard Sanchez
Total Posts: 4023
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01-22-22 02:49 PM - Post#916302
That's Funny Lucktree.
I just know that I would not want to fall over with that Moore's Bar attached to me. Jeez.
Every day is a school day!
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-24-22 09:57 PM - Post#916360
So far I'm liking this thing.
Did a 5 minute warm up on the Schwinn Air Dyne. Then I did three sets of free squats,15,12,10, going deeper with each set.
Added 5 lbs to the previous weight on the Leg Blaster and did a hard set of 10. The five pound increase was sufficient to make my knees buckle and to make me fight to maintain good form.
It "feels" like I'm making both muscle size and strength progress. Maybe I'll throw the ole' tape measure around one of those skinny things and see if that's true. Maybe not. Right now I'm just enjoying the journey.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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01-24-22 11:50 PM - Post#916367
Glad to hear the leg blaster is working well for you. It's always good when you get the effect from a piece of equipment you want and not a trip to the Chiropractor!
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JonZ
Total Posts: 1021
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01-25-22 10:43 PM - Post#916396
Good leg workout.
Bacon is the gateway meat. - Anthony Bourdain
The world needs fewer business majors and more history majors. - Carl Sagan
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JonZ
Total Posts: 1021
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01-25-22 10:47 PM - Post#916397
I do not know who developed these, but was it Frank Zane?
This device was originally called the "Moore Squat Bar." It went through a couple designs and packages. Never really caught on, since Moore was a relative unknown. Frank Zane purchased the rights to it, modified the design beneficially and called it the "Frank Zane Leg Blaster."
I am mistaken, he did sell them, might still. I obviously did not realise they had been around so long.
Bacon is the gateway meat. - Anthony Bourdain
The world needs fewer business majors and more history majors. - Carl Sagan
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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01-26-22 11:00 AM - Post#916412
Unfortunately, Frank is no longer producing this device.
https://frankzane.com/leg-blaster-3/
Apparently, during the shutdown(s) for covid, the manufacturer that Frank utilized decided to do something different. It was definitely a niche market and probably not profitable enough to continue manufacturing. That's a shame, it was a good device, though quite expensive for a limited use device.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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tomm60
Total Posts: 15
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I use an Ironmind hip belt attached to a bar in a landmine with an eyelet attachment from Amazon (only about $10). Bumper plates raise the bar high enough to hook into without trouble. I'm 72, with 52 years of Olympic/Power lifting competition under my belt. No chronic problems, but have to keep my knees and back protected and this, along with Trap Bar deadlifts, allows me to work my quads without aggravating the rest of me!
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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I used to do something quite similar.
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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dhartnet
Total Posts: 1339
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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03-10-22 12:17 PM - Post#917817
Dave:
Those will get the job done, also.
Bill
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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03-10-22 01:42 PM - Post#917820
We have a safety Squat bar from Elite Fitness and it is really nice. It changes the way you feel the squat. We have been squatting to a bench which is a little bellow parallel. Really hard for an old guy like me so I don't use too much weight. I haven't used the up rights on my power rack to hold onto. Still trying to get used to the bar. My son bought it cause to me it's too expensive.
What you have is really nice.
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JonZ
Total Posts: 1021
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03-10-22 11:18 PM - Post#917830
Looks good!
Bacon is the gateway meat. - Anthony Bourdain
The world needs fewer business majors and more history majors. - Carl Sagan
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dhartnet
Total Posts: 1339
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03-14-22 09:33 AM - Post#917948
Dave:
Those will get the job done, also.
Bill
It does Bill, but like you, I'm a fan of the Zane Squat. Again, a great find...
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