Leg Press vs Standing Leg Curl
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Leg Press works multiple joints at once, Standing 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 Standing Leg Curl for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Leg Press vs Standing Leg Curl : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions compared to 1,989 for Standing Leg Curl.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Leg Press and Standing 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 Standing Leg Curl Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Standing Leg Curl |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | hamstrings and calves |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 1,989 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 Standing Leg Curl
Standing Leg Curl muscles worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Engage the muscles in the back of your thigh and buttocks of the extended leg, and lift until your knee is at a 90-degree angle.
- 2. Lower only until your knee is fully extended while resisting the weight.
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 Standing Leg Curl, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Standing Leg Curl Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Standing Leg Curl?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 1,989 for Standing Leg Curl. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Press and Standing Leg Curl work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Standing Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves.
What equipment do Leg Press and Standing Leg Curl need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Standing Leg Curl needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Standing Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Leg Press once your form holds up.
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