Barbell Squat vs Leg Press
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Barbell Squat and Leg Press are close in use — 39,215 vs 26,460 sessions logged. What separates them is Leg loading and form.
Compare the benefits of Barbell Squat and Leg Press and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Barbell Squat vs Leg Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions compared to 26,460 for Barbell Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Barbell Squat and Leg Press differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Squat and Leg Press Differ
| What differs | Barbell Squat | Leg Press |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 26,460 sessions | 39,215 sessions |
How to Do 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 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 Barbell Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Leg Press
Leg Press Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please bend from the hip to the knee while keeping your abdomen tight.
- 2. Please lower yourself until your thigh is perpendicular to your body.
- 3. While extending your hip, push only until your knee is slightly bent.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees spread apart.
For a full Leg Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Leg Press exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Barbell Squat or Leg Press?
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.
What equipment do Barbell Squat and Leg Press need?
Barbell Squat needs a barbell, and Leg Press needs a machine.
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