Leg Press vs Leg Extension
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Leg Press works multiple joints at once, Leg Extension isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Leg Extension and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Leg Extension: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Extension more often — 49,848 sessions compared to 39,215 for Leg Press.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Leg 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 Leg Extension Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Leg Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | quads |
| Machine type | plate-loaded | pin-loaded |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 49,848 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 Leg Extension
Leg Extension Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please lift until your knees are fully extended.
- 2. Please contract from the front of your thigh close to your knee up to the upper thigh near the hip joint.
- 3. Slowly lower down until the angle of your knees is 90 degrees while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please do not give any momentum as it may injure your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to fully bend or straighten your knees.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips and back separate.
For a full Leg Extension guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Leg Extension exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Leg Extension?
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 Extension work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Leg Extension loads quads.
What equipment do Leg Press and Leg Extension need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Leg Extension needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Extension is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
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