Click Here For Your Free Muscle Building Magazine Subscription

Vince Gironda's Leg Workout
The Iron Guru Sissy Squat Technique

Stand in an upright vertical posture next to a stationary post, power rack or chair, etc. With a slight absence of knee lock, place your feet approximately 12 to 18 inches apart, with heels inward and toes rotated out laterally, just slightly. Vince Gironda says the feet should be 13" apart and the knees 17" wide. To maintain a perfect balance in this "fire-bombing" quadriceps exercise, lightly grasp hold of the stationary post, etc. with one hand.

Now, with just your own bodyweight, rise up on your toes or, if you wish, place your heels on a 4" x 4" block of wood. Lean your upper torso backward (approximately 45 degrees from vertical) until you feel a maximum stretch contraction in the quads, especially just above the knees. Your upper torso and thighs will be in alignment with one another if you have done this correctly.

While maintaining this inclined, lying back position (you will basically be at a 45-degree angle to horizontal position), slowly lower your body by bending your knees, allowing them to thrust forward. Allow the upper torso and thighs to descend to where the shoulders are directly over the heels and beyond. Do not relax at this point. Keep continuous tension on the quads by doing a smooth direction reversal at the bottom of the negative stretch (approximately parallel to the floor) phase by straightening your quads and driving your hips forward till you are once again at the non-lock starting point. Remember, as you come up, to push off on your heels while pulling the front part of your foot up off the floor.

Begin the next rep immediately. With absolutely no pausing, continue until you have completed 12 to 15 maxi-pump reps in nonstop, nonlock style.

It is a very good idea to practice the sissy squats with just your own bodyweight until it becomes a natural movement. There is a saying, "Practice makes perfect." I prefer to take it one step further and say, "Perfect practice makes perfect." This makes sense because, if you practice the Sissy squat or any other exercise for that matter, using sloppy form, you will never develop a precision technique.

Once you have mastered a precision technique with your own bodyweight you can begin to use extra weight in the form of a cast iron plate or a dumbbell or dumbbells. Of the three options, the loose plate is the easiest to accommodate because all you have to do is hold it securely against your chest with your free hand while maintaining perfect balance with the other. Holding a barbell (as in a Front squat position) or holding dumbbells hanging at your sides does not allow for the degree of leaning back you achieved with your bodyweight alone. The reason is that your balance is compromised because your hands are not free to assist you. This is a very minor obstacle to overcome. You can attach a 4-6 foot length of 1/2" rope securely around your waist (or tie it to the front of your lifting belt, directly in the center) then tie the other end of the rope at chest level to a stationary post. This will free up your hands so that you can use the barbell or dumbbells, and at the same time allow you to maintain the proper inclined layback position - and with perfect balance.

Click Here To Subscribe To Our FREE Muscle Building Newsletter

New eBook
The Training and Diet Secrets of Vince Gironda "The Iron Guru"

A must read for bodybuilders of all generations. The "Iron Guru" Vince Goronda was perhaps at his pinnacle of fame during the "Golden Era" of bodybuilding, the 60's. His methods, techniques, training, and dietary concepts are still being employed today.

Vince's programs were known for producing the fastest muscle building results in the shortest period of time. The new book contains inside personal details of a relationship one bodybuilder of the 60's had with Vince; some of Vince's best known training programs, some of his little known programs, and some of his forgotten methods are discussed.

Learn what Vince had to say about steroid use, training, nutrition, and supplements and much more of his remarkable insight and knowledge.

Vince Gironda Secrets eBook Only $27.00

You will be sent the download information by e-mail within 24 hours!

It only takes a few minutes and then you'll be on your way to learning Vince's secrets to building your body!

The e-book is in Adobe PDF format, so you must have Adobe Acrobat Viewer to read and print the file. Adobe Acrobat is a free program that you can download by clicking on the icon below.

Home | Articles | Nutrition | Exercises | Techniques | Workouts | Links

Click Here For Your Free Muscle Building Magazine Subscription

Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.