Leg Curl vs Pistol Squat
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 86. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Pistol Squat for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Pistol 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 86 for Pistol Squat.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Pistol 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 Pistol Squat Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Pistol Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 86 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 Pistol Squat
Pistol Squat muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Lower your leg lifted off the ground until it is parallel to the floor.
- 2. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, and return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to excessively lean your upper body 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 come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pistol Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pistol Squat Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Pistol Squat?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 86 for Pistol 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 Pistol Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Pistol Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Pistol Squat need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Pistol Squat needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Pistol Squat once your form holds up.
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