The “sissy squat” has one of the most misleading names in the workout world. It sounds like it’s a wimpy version of a squat, but it actually comes from shortening “Sisyphus”. Without going too deep into Greek mythology, Sisyphus was punished by Zeus and forced to push a boulder up a steep hill, only to watch it roll back down. He was to repeat the task for eternity. Thanks to all that pushing, it’s easy to imagine that Sisyphus had the biggest quads ever. When you add the Sisyphus “Sissy” Squat into your routine, you too will have massive quads. And suddenly, the name makes much more sense.
But what is it about the sissy squat that gives you huge quads? Compared to a traditional barbell squat, the sissy squat isolates the quad by excluding the glutes when the exercise is performed. This helps balance out the anterior and posterior chain muscles. Sissy squats were made famous during the golden age of body building, but their effectiveness has helped them stand the test of time. Word of caution, however: sissy squats can cause great stress on the knees, so it’s worth starting with bodyweight and moving up from there, especially if you’re new to the exercise.
The Legend Fitness Sissy Squat (3162) comes into play in a big way when it comes to working the quads. This piece of fitness equipment was thoughtfully but simply designed to make sissy squats more comfortable without sacrificing the benefits of the exercise. Solidly constructed from three-inch square tubing, the Sissy Squat boasts chrome-plated adjustment points for scratch resistance and ultra durability. The upholstered foot roller holds your feet in place comfortably. The adjustable calf pad is 18.5 inches wide, top-stitched for durability, and contoured, so there’s no pinching, regardless of your leg length.
Because your legs are locked in place, you don’t need to hold onto anything. Talk about a direct transmission of resistance to your legs! Once you’ve mastered the bodyweight sissy squat, nothing is holding you back from stepping it up and adding weight. Having both arms free means it’s easy to hang onto a medicine ball, a plate, or even a barbell. You can also modify the sissy squat and work your abs on top of it.
Bottom line? The Sissy Squat is a whole lot of leg devastation in a very small footprint. Want to add one to your gym? Contact the Legend Fitness sales team today.
