I know squats are better, but...
Just about a year ago, I received a pretty nasty hernia (which I had repaired and the recuperating time was painfull as hell). It was mostly due to inexperience and inproper form. None-the-less, I still feel the pressure when I do squats in that area, and it is a mental block too. When I do leg press, it takes a little of the pressure away. I am slowly building my strength in my legs by doing the presses, which is giving me convidence back to do squats. Basically, I am transitioning back into do squats, by hitting the leg press hard. It is working but it just takes time. That damn hernia is something I never want to go thru again!!!!!!!!