Front Squat vs Smith Machine Wide Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Smith Machine Wide Squat is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Front Squat and Smith Machine Wide Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Front Squat vs Smith Machine Wide Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Wide Squat more often — 636 sessions compared to 407 for Front Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Front Squat 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 Front Squat and Smith Machine Wide Squat Differ
| What differs | Front Squat | Smith Machine Wide Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 407 sessions | 636 sessions |
How to Do Front Squat
Front Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist 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 buttocks 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 back.
- 3. Don't excessively arch your back while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Front Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Front Squat 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, Front Squat or Smith Machine Wide Squat?
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 Front Squat and Smith Machine Wide Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Front Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Smith Machine Wide Squat loads glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs.
What equipment do Front Squat and Smith Machine Wide Squat need?
Front Squat needs a barbell, and Smith Machine Wide Squat needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Smith Machine Wide Squat is the easier place to start. Move to Front Squat once your form holds up.
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