When you mention Jay Cutler, most bodybuilding fans immediately think of his legendary “Quad Stomp”—a pose in which his thighs looked absolutely monstrous. The four-time Mr. Olympia was known for having some of the best legs in the history of the sport. How did he do it? In addition to squats, the leg press was the cornerstone of his training.
Cutler recently revealed three key secrets for getting the most out of this exercise and focusing on massive quadriceps growth. If you want legs like a champion, follow these rules.
1. Foot placement is key
The first secret is the correct positioning of your feet on the platform. Many exercisers place their feet too high or too wide, which shifts the load more toward the hamstrings and glutes.
- Jay’s tip: For maximum isolation of the front of the thighs (quads), place your feet lower on the platform.
- Stance: Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart.
This stance ensures that the muscles on the front of your thighs do most of the work, which is exactly what you want for building size and definition.
2. Repetition depth (without lifting the pelvis)
The second point is range of motion. A common mistake is either a “half” repetition, which doesn’t stretch the muscles enough, or, conversely, excessive depth, where the lower back and glutes lift off the support (which is dangerous for the spine).
- Jay’s tip: You need to go deep enough to achieve a full stretch of the muscle fibers.
- Warning: Only go as low as you can while keeping your butt firmly pressed against the seat. As soon as it starts to lift, you’re going too low.
- The goal is to find the “sweet spot” where your muscles are working as hard as possible, but your form remains safe.
3. Tempo and Constant Tension
The third—and perhaps most important—secret concerns how you perform the repetitions. Jay Cutler wasn’t a fan of mindlessly thrashing the weight around. His technique resembles an engine piston.
- Tempo: Control the downward movement (negative phase); on the way up, drive the bar dynamically and explosively.
- Don’t lock your knees: Never fully extend your legs (don’t lock your knees) at the top of the movement. Doing so would shift the load to your joints and relieve the muscles.
- Constant tension: Keep your muscles under tension throughout the entire set.
- Number of repetitions: Cutler recommends a set of 12 repetitions. Each one must be perfect.
Conclusion
If you want to build massive legs, it’s not enough to just load the leg press with every weight plate in the gym. You have to train smart. Try applying Cutler’s method during your next leg workout: keep your feet lower on the pad, maintain a controlled depth, and use a piston-like rhythm without locking out your knees. Your thighs will thank you (or hate you—but they’ll grow!).
JAY CUTLER: 3 LEG PRESS SECRETS
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