Barbell Squat vs Hip Extension

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions vs 531. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Squat and Hip Extension for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Squat vs Hip Extension : 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 531 for Hip Extension.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Squat and Hip Extension 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 Extension Differ

What differsBarbell SquatHip Extension
Muscles workedquads, hamstrings, and glutesglutes and hamstrings
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty3 of 51 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users26,460 sessions531 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Barbell Squat

Barbell Squat gif

Barbell Squat muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your back straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
  2. 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  3. 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
  4. 4. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
  2. 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
  3. 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
  4. 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
  5. 5. Make sure your feet do not lift off the ground.
  6. 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!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Squat methods?Exercise Guide

How to Hip Extension

Hip Extension gif

Hip Extension muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Raise your leg with the sole facing the sky.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
  3. 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.

Coach's Comment

  1. Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Hip Extension, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Hip Extension Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Hip Extension methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Barbell Squat or Hip Extension?

Planfit users log Barbell Squat more often — 26,460 sessions against 531 for Hip Extension. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Barbell Squat and Hip Extension work the same muscles?

Not quite. Barbell Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Hip Extension loads glutes and hamstrings.

What equipment do Barbell Squat and Hip Extension need?

Barbell Squat needs a barbell, and Hip Extension needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Hip Extension is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Squat once your form holds up.

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