I learned today that using the correct technique for box step ups makes this exercise much much harder and really gets the quads fired up like nothing else! The trick is to do this exercise with proper form and technique by

1. lifting the opposite leg into the air at the top of the position and NOT resting it at the top of the bench or chair etc.
2. coming back down with control, so that you get more out of the down part of the motion and it makes it harder
3. focus on blasting up with power and speed, then coming back down with control
4. basically it’s one fluid motion from start to finish
5. don’t alternate legs either, you blast one leg at a time.
6. Don’t rest to long when you come back down, pop right back up

If you do this right, your quads will be on fire! I could only do about ½ the reps this way compared to when cheating. And doing this after having done squats and leg presses, my quads where on fried lol I could only do one working set. I think it made it even harder by saving this one for last after having already done 10 sets of squats and leg presses.

I also learned today that the 45 degree leg press sled might not be the best thing for muscular endurance high rep sets as.

My heels where coming off and my feet moving around when I don’t have a bunch of weight loaded on it, probably because I’m not the flexible either.

Since your legs are basically in the air, I think this interferes with the blood flow, I think it’s easier and more natural to get the blood circulating when you’re upright. But on the other hand maybe not having enough blood flow and get a wicked burn because of that will teach the leg muscles to deal with working in a fuel starved, high lactate environment better?