Some advice needed from the leg guru's

[BigRedCat]

I recently started back in the gym after a long layoff due to really bad Sciatica and I am wondering what weights I should be working with on squats? I am 5'11" around 190-195 pounds and I have an extra 3-4 inches of flab on my belly and sides. I am fairly strong(or I was before anyway) but I am unsure what weight I should be doing. I am doing the 5x5 training method and for squats I am going to pretty much stick to around 4-8 reps with the 5 sets. I really want to work my legs but deadlifts are pretty much out of the question since if I bend over to touch my toes with my legs straight I get an insanely painful feeling down the back of my thigh. I wish I could bend over and touch my toes without this pain. So...what else can I do to work my legs? I think I will be ok doing squats since I tried them weightless and it dosent hurt too bad. Should I add leg curls or presses-extensions? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zade]

You should be fine with squats, but i would do leg curls *and* leg extensions after the squats aswell. Just makesure your main leg exercises are Squats.

 

[coolcolj]

I think the pain means you lack hamstring strength and flexibility! Do something about it

 

[BigRedCat]

umm, actually according to my doctor the pain means I have a pinched nerve(sciatica) in my back- I wish it was just lack of flexibility. I am talking pain like someone sticking a hot knife in the back of your leg, not your run of the mill "pain". As far as doing something about it- well...that is why I am working out. Pushing through the pain. I seriously dont wish this sciatica shit on any of you, it sucks!