Hack Squat Machine vs Pendulum Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Hack Squat Machine more often — 5,707 sessions vs 318. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Hack Squat Machine and Pendulum Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Hack Squat Machine vs Pendulum 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 318 for Pendulum Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Hack Squat Machine and Pendulum 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 Pendulum Squat Differ
| What differs | Hack Squat Machine | Pendulum Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,707 sessions | 318 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 Pendulum Squat
Pendulum Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Slowly lower yourself down into a deep squat by bending your knees and hips together.
- 2. When your thighs are parallel to the floor or lower, please pause for a moment.
- 3. Push the floor with the entire foot to straighten your legs and slowly rise back to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your knees come too far inward or your toes extend too much.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from excessively bending or twisting, and start with a weight that allows you to maintain proper form rather than a very heavy one.
For a full Pendulum Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Pendulum Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Hack Squat Machine or Pendulum Squat?
Planfit users log Hack Squat Machine more often — 5,707 sessions against 318 for Pendulum Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Hack Squat Machine and Pendulum Squat need?
Hack Squat Machine needs a machine, and Pendulum Squat needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Hack Squat Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Pendulum Squat once your form holds up.
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