Barbell Squat vs Hip Abduction Machine
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Barbell Squat works multiple joints at once, Hip Abduction Machine isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Squat and Hip Abduction Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Squat vs Hip Abduction Machine : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions compared to 21,894 for Hip Abduction Machine.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Squat and Hip Abduction Machine differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Squat and Hip Abduction Machine Differ
| What differs | Barbell Squat | Hip Abduction Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes and outer thighs |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 26,460 sessions | 21,894 sessions |
How to Barbell Squat
Barbell Squat muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your back straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks 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 hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Squat Guide page of our blog!
How to Hip Abduction Machine
Hip Abduction Machine muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please push while tightening your outer glutes.
- 2. Please return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to overextend your legs.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees touch.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Hip Abduction Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Hip Abduction Machine Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Barbell Squat or Hip Abduction Machine?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Barbell Squat and Hip Abduction Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Barbell Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Hip Abduction Machine loads glutes and outer thighs.
What equipment do Barbell Squat and Hip Abduction Machine need?
Barbell Squat needs a barbell, and Hip Abduction Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Hip Abduction Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Squat once your form holds up.
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