Leg Press vs Hip Abduction
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 873. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Hip Abduction and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Hip Abduction: 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 873 for Hip Abduction.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Hip Abduction 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 Hip Abduction Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Hip Abduction |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes and outer thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 873 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 Hip Abduction
Hip Abduction Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Straighten the knee of the leg above and lift it using the outer hip muscles.
- 2. Raise the leg so that it is at an angle of more than 60 degrees from the floor.
- 3. After finishing one side, proceed with the opposite leg in the same way.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to shake your body.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to avoid putting strain on your lower back.
For a full Hip Abduction guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hip Abduction exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Hip Abduction?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 873 for Hip Abduction. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Press and Hip Abduction work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Hip Abduction loads glutes and outer thighs.
What equipment do Leg Press and Hip Abduction need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Hip Abduction needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Hip Abduction is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
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