Leg Curl vs Barbell Narrow Squat
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 46. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Barbell Narrow Squat for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Barbell Narrow Squat : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions compared to 46 for Barbell Narrow Squat.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Barbell Narrow Squat differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Leg Curl and Barbell Narrow Squat Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Barbell Narrow Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads, hamstrings, and outer thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 46 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to lift your upper body.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Leg Curl, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Leg Curl Guide page of our blog!
How to Barbell Narrow Squat
Barbell Narrow Squat muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight while bending at the hips to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 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 lift off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Narrow Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Narrow Squat Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Barbell Narrow Squat?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 46 for Barbell Narrow Squat. 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 Narrow Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Barbell Narrow Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and outer thighs.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Barbell Narrow Squat need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Barbell Narrow Squat needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Narrow Squat once your form holds up.
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