Leg Curl vs Sumo Deadlift
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions vs 1,151. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Curl and Sumo Deadlift and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Curl vs Sumo Deadlift: 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 1,151 for Sumo Deadlift.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Curl and Sumo Deadlift 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 Sumo Deadlift Differ
| What differs | Leg Curl | Sumo Deadlift |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | hamstrings and calves | glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,860 sessions | 1,151 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 Sumo Deadlift
Sumo Deadlift Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move your hips back while lifting the barbell forward.
- 2. Push against the floor and apply pressure to the center of your feet.
- 3. When you are fully upright, puff out your chest and contract your entire posterior.
- 4. Move your hips back again and bend your knees to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your lower back from rounding.
- 3. Be careful not to let your knees collapse inward when standing up.
- 4. Do not excessively arch your back while trying to keep it straight.
For a full Sumo Deadlift guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Sumo Deadlift exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Curl or Sumo Deadlift?
Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,860 sessions against 1,151 for Sumo Deadlift. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Curl and Sumo Deadlift work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves, and Sumo Deadlift loads glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Leg Curl and Sumo Deadlift need?
Leg Curl needs a machine, and Sumo Deadlift needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Sumo Deadlift once your form holds up.
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