Leg Press vs Side Kick Back
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 822. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Side Kick Back and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Side Kick Back: 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 822 for Side Kick Back.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Side Kick Back 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 Side Kick Back Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Side Kick Back |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | 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 | 822 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 Side Kick Back
Side Kick Back Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise one leg while keeping the knee at a 90-degree angle, parallel to the ground.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.
- 2. Be careful not to bend your elbows.
For a full Side Kick Back guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Kick Back exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Side Kick Back?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 822 for Side Kick Back. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Press and Side Kick Back work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Side Kick Back loads outer thighs.
What equipment do Leg Press and Side Kick Back need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Side Kick Back needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Kick Back is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
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