Leg Press vs Barbell Hip Thrust
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 1,544. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Barbell Hip Thrust and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Barbell Hip Thrust: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions compared to 1,544 for Barbell Hip Thrust.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Barbell Hip Thrust differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Leg Press and Barbell Hip Thrust Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Barbell Hip Thrust |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 1,544 sessions |
How to Do Leg Press
Leg Press Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please bend from the hip to the knee while keeping your abdomen tight.
- 2. Please lower yourself until your thigh is perpendicular to your body.
- 3. While extending your hip, push only until your knee is slightly bent.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees spread apart.
For a full Leg Press guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Leg Press exercise guide.
How to Do Barbell Hip Thrust
Barbell Hip Thrust Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your pelvis until your shins are vertical and your body is parallel to the ground.
- 2. Return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you just lift the barbell, it may hurt, so please wrap it with a squat pad, towel, etc.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees come together.
- 3. Please be careful not to tilt your head back.
- 4. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your back.
For a full Barbell Hip Thrust guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Hip Thrust exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Barbell Hip Thrust?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 1,544 for Barbell Hip Thrust. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Leg Press and Barbell Hip Thrust need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Barbell Hip Thrust needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Press is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Hip Thrust once your form holds up.
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