Do you need to use weights for squats to be beneficial?

Question

I'm trying to lose fat in the leg and am wondering if I should be using weights and fewer reps or no weights and more reps.

Answer 1

you can't spot reduce fat stores...

but to answer your question you can certainly start off just by using your bodyweight. your legs are almost half your your total body weight. many people neglect the benefits of leg training. by training your legs you are going to help speed fat loss and you will be in better shape and less prone to injury.

check out the link below you can adapt many of the exercises for use with dumbbells with cans of soup, etc.

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

Answer 2

You do not need to start with weights as your body weighs enough. Here is your decision point: How many can you do with no weight before you can't make it up? If you can easily do 10, you need to add weight. If you can't do 10 easily (say you go to failure at 5) stay with 3 sets of as many as you can do +1 until that is too easy. Then increase your weight until you can't quite do 10. 3 sets of 10 to failure is good to go for a while.

Answer 3

there is never a need to use weights when doing squats! matter of fact, using weights with squats will actually cause undue pressure on your knees and eventually damage then.