Leg Curl vs Barbell Squat
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Barbell Squat works multiple joints at once, Leg Curl isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Barbell Squat for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Barbell Squat : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,861 sessions compared to 26,460 for Barbell Squat.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Barbell 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 Squat Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Barbell Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,861 sessions | 26,460 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 Squat
Barbell Squat muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your back straight, then bend at the hip 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 up.
- 4. As your hips 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 Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Squat Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Barbell Squat?
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 Leg Curl and Barbell Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Barbell Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Barbell Squat need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Barbell Squat needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Squat once your form holds up.
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