Hip Thrust Machine vs Side Kick Back
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,097 sessions vs 822. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Hip Thrust Machine and Side Kick Back and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Hip Thrust Machine vs Side Kick Back: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,097 sessions compared to 822 for Side Kick Back.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Hip Thrust Machine and Side Kick Back differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Hip Thrust Machine and Side Kick Back Differ
| What differs | Hip Thrust Machine | Side Kick Back |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | glutes, quads, and hamstrings | outer thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,097 sessions | 822 sessions |
How to Do Hip Thrust Machine
Hip Thrust Machine Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your pelvis until your knees are vertical and your body is horizontal to the ground.
- 2. Return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your knees touch.
- 2. Please be careful not to tilt your head back.
- 3. Please keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
For a full Hip Thrust Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hip Thrust Machine exercise guide.
How to Do Side Kick Back
Side Kick Back Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise one leg while keeping the knee at a 90-degree angle, parallel to the ground.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.
- 2. Be careful not to bend your elbows.
For a full Side Kick Back guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Kick Back exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Hip Thrust Machine or Side Kick Back?
Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,097 sessions against 822 for Side Kick Back. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Hip Thrust Machine and Side Kick Back work the same muscles?
Not quite. Hip Thrust Machine loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings, and Side Kick Back loads outer thighs.
What equipment do Hip Thrust Machine and Side Kick Back need?
Hip Thrust Machine needs a machine, and Side Kick Back needs bodyweight only.
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