Leg Press vs Hip Extension
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 531. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Hip Extension and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Hip Extension: 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 531 for Hip Extension.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Hip Extension 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 Extension Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Hip Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes and hamstrings |
| 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 | 531 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 Extension
Hip Extension Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your leg with the sole facing the sky.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.
For a full Hip Extension guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hip Extension exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Hip Extension?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 531 for Hip Extension. 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 Extension work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Hip Extension loads glutes and hamstrings.
What equipment do Leg Press and Hip Extension need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Hip Extension needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Hip Extension is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
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