Leaving the 45-degree leg press and transitioning to the squat

[gray-haired_Rick]

Hi Mark,

I'm a 61yo male, 5-11, 225 and I've been following the SS program for about three months. Using the advice in Practical Programming as a guide, I initially eliminated the squat and started my program with the 45-degree leg press machine. Soon I will be leg pressing my bodyweight for 3 work sets of 10 reps. At that point, I'm supposed to switch to the squat, according to the recommendations in Practical Programming. However, it's clear I can't just jump right into squatting 3 works sets of 5 reps at 225, but Practical Programming doesn't provide any guidelines for the transition from the leg press to the squat that I can find. How do you recommend a 60yo+ trainee, with one reconstructed knee, should transition from the 45-degree leg press to the squat. Thanks for your advice.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Start with the empty 45-lb bar and go up from there according to the directions in both SS:BBT and PPST.

[crookedfinger]

Squatting vs. leg pressing is a whole other world. You've just earned the price of admission to squat. Welcome and congratulations. You are joining the realm of a small number of folks on the planet that choose to do the hard thing.

It sucks.