Hack Squat Machine vs Barbell Wide Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Hack Squat Machine more often — 5,707 sessions vs 388. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Hack Squat Machine and Barbell Wide Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Hack Squat Machine vs Barbell Wide Squat: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Hack Squat Machine more often — 5,707 sessions compared to 388 for Barbell Wide Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Hack Squat Machine and Barbell 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 Hack Squat Machine and Barbell Wide Squat Differ
| What differs | Hack Squat Machine | Barbell Wide Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,707 sessions | 388 sessions |
How to Do Hack Squat Machine
Hack Squat Machine 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. Lower yourself until your knees naturally bend and your thighs are vertical to your body.
- 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, and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body excessively 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 push 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 Hack Squat Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hack Squat Machine exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Wide Squat
Barbell Wide 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. Lower yourself until your knees naturally bend and 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 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 come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Barbell Wide Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Wide Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Hack Squat Machine or Barbell Wide Squat?
Planfit users log Hack Squat Machine more often — 5,707 sessions against 388 for Barbell Wide Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Hack Squat Machine and Barbell Wide Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Hack Squat Machine loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Barbell Wide Squat loads glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs.
What equipment do Hack Squat Machine and Barbell Wide Squat need?
Hack Squat Machine needs a machine, and Barbell Wide Squat needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Hack Squat Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Wide Squat once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
