Eric Roberts explains why the hack squat machine feels so heavy: it pins your back, locks your hips, and isolates your quads without help from other muscles. Even with no added weight, your legs work harder than they ever have. Struggling is normal.
Okay, so we're gonna try a breathing exercise, okay? When I breathe, you breathe. All right, let's go.
The hack squat is one of the most humbling exercises there is. And that's because when you do a normal squat, your whole body is working. Whereas the hack squat takes all of that away. Your back is pinned, your hips are locked, and the only thing left to do the work is your quads. Alone. No one to help, nowhere to hide. And that's why you can squat 100 to 200 pounds but get on here, have no weight, and still have your legs struggling like it's the first time ever. That's what she said. So you're not weak. This is normal. And with time, you will get stronger here as well.
