Hip Abduction vs Seated One Leg Press
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Hip Abduction is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 5. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Hip Abduction and Seated One Leg Press and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Hip Abduction vs Seated One Leg Press: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated One Leg Press more often — 1,391 sessions compared to 873 for Hip Abduction.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Hip Abduction and Seated One 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 Hip Abduction and Seated One Leg Press Differ
| What differs | Hip Abduction | Seated One Leg Press |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | glutes and outer thighs | quads, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 873 sessions | 1,391 sessions |
How to Do Hip Abduction
Hip Abduction Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Straighten the knee of the leg above and lift it using the outer hip muscles.
- 2. Raise the leg so that it is at an angle of more than 60 degrees from the floor.
- 3. After finishing one side, proceed with the opposite leg in the same way.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to shake your body.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to avoid putting strain on your lower back.
For a full Hip Abduction guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hip Abduction exercise guide.
How to Do Seated One Leg Press
Seated One Leg Press Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please bend from the hip joint to the knee while keeping your abdomen tight.
- 2. Go down until your thigh is perpendicular to your body.
- 3. Push while extending the hip joint, but only until the 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.
- 3. Please be careful not to lift your hips off the equipment.
For a full Seated One Leg Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Seated One Leg Press exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Hip Abduction or Seated One 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.
Do Hip Abduction and Seated One Leg Press work the same muscles?
Not quite. Hip Abduction loads glutes and outer thighs, and Seated One Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Hip Abduction and Seated One Leg Press need?
Hip Abduction needs bodyweight only, and Seated One Leg Press needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Hip Abduction is the easier place to start. Move to Seated One Leg Press once your form holds up.
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