Barbell Hip Thrust vs Smith Machine Wide Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Hip Thrust more often — 1,544 sessions vs 636. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Barbell Hip Thrust and Smith Machine Wide Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Barbell Hip Thrust vs Smith Machine Wide Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Hip Thrust more often — 1,544 sessions compared to 636 for Smith Machine Wide Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Barbell Hip Thrust and Smith Machine Wide Squat differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Hip Thrust and Smith Machine Wide Squat Differ
| What differs | Barbell Hip Thrust | Smith Machine Wide Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | glutes, quads, and hamstrings | glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,544 sessions | 636 sessions |
How to Do Barbell Hip Thrust
Barbell Hip Thrust Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your pelvis until your shins are vertical and your body is parallel to the ground.
- 2. Return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you just lift the barbell, it may hurt, so please wrap it with a squat pad, towel, etc.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees come together.
- 3. Please be careful not to tilt your head back.
- 4. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your back.
For a full Barbell Hip Thrust guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Hip Thrust exercise guide.
How to Do Smith Machine Wide Squat
Smith Machine Wide Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip joint to lower your hips down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not lift off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Smith Machine Wide Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Wide Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Barbell Hip Thrust or Smith Machine Wide Squat?
Planfit users log Barbell Hip Thrust more often — 1,544 sessions against 636 for Smith Machine Wide Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Barbell Hip Thrust and Smith Machine Wide Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Hip Thrust loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings, and Smith Machine Wide Squat loads glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs.
What equipment do Barbell Hip Thrust and Smith Machine Wide Squat need?
Barbell Hip Thrust needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Wide Squat needs a machine.
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