Leg Curl vs Hip Thrust Machine
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Hip Thrust Machine works multiple joints at once, Leg Curl isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Compare the benefits of Leg Curl and Hip Thrust Machine and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Curl vs Hip Thrust Machine: 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 4,197 for Hip Thrust Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Curl and Hip Thrust Machine 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 Hip Thrust Machine Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Hip Thrust Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | glutes, quads, and hamstrings |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 4,197 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Hip Thrust Machine?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 4,197 for Hip Thrust 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 Hip Thrust Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Hip Thrust Machine loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Hip Thrust Machine need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Hip Thrust Machine needs a machine.
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