Leg Curl vs Smith Machine Squat
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Smith Machine Squat works multiple joints at once, Leg Curl isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Curl and Smith Machine Squat for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Curl vs Smith Machine 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 15,451 for Smith Machine Squat.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Curl and Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Squat Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Smith Machine Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | quads, hamstrings, and glutes |
| Machine type | pin-loaded | Smith-machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 15,451 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 Smith Machine Squat
Smith Machine Squat muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Naturally bend your knees and lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your back.
- 3. Don't excessively arch your back while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not lift off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Smith Machine Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Smith Machine Squat Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Smith Machine Squat?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 15,451 for Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Squat work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Smith Machine Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Smith Machine Squat need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Smith Machine Squat needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Squat once your form holds up.
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