Leg Curl vs Leg Extension
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Leg Curl also loads your hamstrings and calves — Leg Extension does not. Both train Leg, so pick by what you want to hit.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Leg Extension for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Leg Extension : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Extension more often — 49,848 sessions compared to 39,860 for Leg Curl.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Leg Extension 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 Leg Extension Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Leg Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 49,848 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 Leg Extension
Leg Extension muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please lift until your knees are fully extended.
- 2. Please contract from the front of your thigh close to your knee up to the upper thigh near the hip joint.
- 3. Slowly lower down until the angle of your knees is 90 degrees while resisting the weight.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please do not give any momentum as it may injure your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to fully bend or straighten your knees.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips and back separate.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Leg Extension, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Leg Extension Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Leg Extension?
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 Leg Extension work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Leg Extension loads quads.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Leg Extension need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Leg Extension needs a machine.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.
