Leg Curl vs Barbell Hip Thrust
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 1,544. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Curl and Barbell Hip Thrust and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Curl vs Barbell Hip Thrust: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions compared to 1,544 for Barbell Hip Thrust.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Curl and Barbell Hip Thrust differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Leg Curl and Barbell Hip Thrust Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Barbell Hip Thrust |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | glutes, quads, and hamstrings |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 1,544 sessions |
How to Do Leg Curl
Leg Curl Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Engage your hamstrings and glutes, and lift the ankle pads up to your hips.
- 2. Lower down only until your knees are fully extended against the weight resistance.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to lift your upper body.
For a full Leg Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Leg Curl exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Hip Thrust
Barbell Hip Thrust Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your pelvis until your shins are vertical and your body is parallel to the ground.
- 2. Return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you just lift the barbell, it may hurt, so please wrap it with a squat pad, towel, etc.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees come together.
- 3. Please be careful not to tilt your head back.
- 4. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your back.
For a full Barbell Hip Thrust guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Hip Thrust exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Barbell Hip Thrust?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 1,544 for Barbell Hip Thrust. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Curl and Barbell Hip Thrust work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Barbell Hip Thrust loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Barbell Hip Thrust need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Barbell Hip Thrust needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Hip Thrust once your form holds up.
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