Leg Curl vs Hack Squat Machine

Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan

Contents

Hack Squat Machine works multiple joints at once, Leg Curl isolates — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.

Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Hack Squat Machine for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Hack Squat Machine : 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 5,717 for Hack Squat Machine.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Hack Squat Machine 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 Hack Squat Machine Differ

What differsLeg CurlHack Squat Machine
Muscles workedhamstrings and calvesquads, hamstrings, and glutes
Machine typepin-loadedplate-loaded
Difficulty1 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users39,860 sessions5,717 sessions

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Not sure whether Leg Curl or Hack Squat Machine fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Leg Curl

Leg Curl gif

Leg Curl muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Engage your hamstrings and glutes, and lift the ankle pads up to your hips.
  2. 2. Lower down only until your knees are fully extended against the weight resistance.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
  2. 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!

Do you want to know more about Leg Curl methods?Exercise Guide

How to Hack Squat Machine

Hack Squat Machine gif

Hack Squat Machine muscles worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip joint to lower your hips down.
  2. 2. Lower yourself until your knees naturally bend and your thighs are vertical to your body.
  3. 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
  4. 4. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, and return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body excessively forward.
  2. 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
  3. 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
  4. 4. Please do not push your hips too far back.
  5. 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
  6. 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Hack Squat Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Hack Squat Machine Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Hack Squat Machine methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Hack Squat Machine?

Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 5,717 for Hack Squat Machine. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Leg Curl and Hack Squat Machine work the same muscles?

Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Hack Squat Machine loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.

What equipment do Leg Curl and Hack Squat Machine need?

Leg Curl needs a machine, and Hack Squat Machine needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Hack Squat Machine once your form holds up.

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