Leg Press vs Leg Curl
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Leg Press works multiple joints at once, Leg Curl isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Leg Press and Leg Curl for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Press vs Leg Curl : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Curl more often — 39,861 sessions compared to 39,215 for Leg Press.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Press and Leg Curl differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Leg Press and Leg Curl Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Leg Curl |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | hamstrings and calves |
| Machine type | plate-loaded | pin-loaded |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 39,861 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your knees spread apart.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Leg Press, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Leg Press Guide page of our blog!
How to 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 Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to lift your upper body.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Leg Curl, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Leg Curl Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Leg Curl?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Press and Leg Curl work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves.
What equipment do Leg Press and Leg Curl need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Leg Curl needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
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