Leg Press vs Pistol Squat
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 86. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Pistol Squat and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Pistol Squat: 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 86 for Pistol Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Pistol Squat 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 Pistol Squat Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Pistol Squat |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 86 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 Pistol Squat
Pistol Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Lower your leg lifted off the ground until it is parallel to the floor.
- 2. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, and return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to excessively lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
- 3. Don't excessively bend your waist while trying to keep it straight.
- 4. Please do not stick your hips too far back.
- 5. Make sure your feet do not come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Pistol Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Pistol Squat exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Pistol Squat?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 86 for Pistol Squat. 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 Pistol Squat need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Pistol Squat needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Press is the easier place to start. Move to Pistol Squat once your form holds up.
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