How to: Build bigger quads?

[MrSI]

I have had lower back trouble in my earlier years (stress fracture) and in more recent times a herniated disc so i tend to stay away from BB squats and usually do a few pre exhaust set on like a leg extension then hit the leg press and then finish with smith mac squats has anyone else had similar back trouble and found something that worked well for them? at the moment my legs look a bit like big birds and want to build them up, one thing i have done that helps releave a bit of pressure is doing squats with a 5kg plate under my heals to lift the ankle and that seems to help, any other ideas?

[Phedder]

DB Lunges, front squats, heavy reverse sled dragging. You can also stand on two boxes and attach a weight with a dip belt and squat that way.

[southernsamurai]

Leg press, Hack squats, Front squats, and lunges as mentioned above.

I know guys who have bad back issues and they love their front squats

[pyro]

You can also stand on two boxes and attach a weight with a dip belt and squat that way.

Training purely at home I used to do this for squats, but would hold a couple of 40kg DB in each hand and use a belt to add extra weight on top. Not ideal but it works.

[MrSI]

cheers, i have often wanted to try it the belt way on blocks but dont have the right blocks, interesting you say front squats. i find them to be the worst of them all...

[crazyfacials]

you guys ever tried the front squats bar? sits on your back but the weights go on the front?

like this