Leg Press vs Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift

Which one fits your Leg workout plan?

Contents

Leg Press works multiple joints at once, Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 4. See which fits your Leg day.

Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.

Leg Press vs Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift: 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 4,437 for Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Barbell Stiff Leg 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 Press and Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift Differ

What differsLeg PressBarbell Stiff Leg Deadlift
Equipmenta machinea barbell
Difficulty3 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users39,215 sessions4,437 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Leg Press or Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Leg Press

Leg Press demo video

Leg Press Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Please bend from the hip to the knee while keeping your abdomen tight.
  2. 2. Please lower yourself until your thigh is perpendicular to your body.
  3. 3. While extending your hip, push only until your knee is slightly bent.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
  2. 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.

Want to learn more about Leg Press?Exercise Guide

How to Do Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift

Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift demo video

Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift Muscles Worked: Leg

Form

  1. 1. Keep the knee joint fixed in an extended position and slowly bend your waist.
  2. 2. When going down, lower the barbell close to your body.
  3. 3. Keep your gaze slightly forward.
  4. 4. Slowly return to the starting position while straightening your back.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your gaze go towards the floor.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to excessively bend your knees.
  3. 3. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your back.

For a full Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift?

Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 4,437 for Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift. 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 Stiff Leg Deadlift need?

Leg Press needs a machine, and Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Leg Press is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlift once your form holds up.

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