Leg Press vs Sumo Deadlift
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions vs 1,151. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Leg Press and Sumo Deadlift and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Leg Press vs Sumo Deadlift: 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 1,151 for Sumo Deadlift.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Leg Press and Sumo Deadlift 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 Sumo Deadlift Differ
| What differs | Leg Press | Sumo Deadlift |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings |
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 39,215 sessions | 1,151 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 Sumo Deadlift
Sumo Deadlift Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move your hips back while lifting the barbell forward.
- 2. Push against the floor and apply pressure to the center of your feet.
- 3. When you are fully upright, puff out your chest and contract your entire posterior.
- 4. Move your hips back again and bend your knees to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your lower back from rounding.
- 3. Be careful not to let your knees collapse inward when standing up.
- 4. Do not excessively arch your back while trying to keep it straight.
For a full Sumo Deadlift guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Sumo Deadlift exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Leg Press or Sumo Deadlift?
Planfit users log Leg Press more often — 39,215 sessions against 1,151 for Sumo Deadlift. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Leg Press and Sumo Deadlift work the same muscles?
Not quite. Leg Press loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Sumo Deadlift loads glutes, back, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Leg Press and Sumo Deadlift need?
Leg Press needs a machine, and Sumo Deadlift needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Press is the easier place to start. Move to Sumo Deadlift once your form holds up.
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