Unfortunately now that the squat cage is gone, I'm restricted to being able to squat with about a 40-pound bar (or the Smith Machine) as I can't pick up anything heavier than this. Also with the cage, I've been able to go to failure and then drop the bar onto the safety catch (don't know the official name for it).

I hate heavy lunges so I only use enough weight to be able to do 15 or even 20 reps. How do you think single leg step ups onto a high step stool (high enough so that the knee of the stepping leg is higher than the hip when the other foot is on the floor) compare to squats? I can lift enough to be heavy on one leg at a time.