Leg Curl vs Side Lunge
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 2,121. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Curl and Side Lunge and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Curl vs Side Lunge: 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 2,121 for Side Lunge.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Curl and Side Lunge 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 Side Lunge Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Side Lunge |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads, glutes, and outer thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 2,121 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 Side Lunge
Side Lunge Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move one foot to the side and shift your weight.
- 2. Bend the knee of the moved leg and keep the opposite leg straight.
- 3. Apply pressure to the center of the bent knee and slowly rise back to the starting position.
- 4. Repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not shift too much to the side.
For a full Side Lunge guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Lunge exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Side Lunge?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 2,121 for Side Lunge. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Curl and Side Lunge work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Side Lunge loads quads, glutes, and outer thighs.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Side Lunge need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Side Lunge needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Side Lunge once your form holds up.
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