Pistol Squat vs Standing Leg Curl
Maximizing Your Leg Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Standing Leg Curl more often — 1,989 sessions vs 86. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Leg Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pistol Squat and Standing Leg Curl for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pistol Squat vs Standing Leg Curl : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Standing Leg Curl more often — 1,989 sessions compared to 86 for Pistol Squat.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pistol Squat 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 Pistol Squat and Standing Leg Curl Differ
| What differs | Pistol Squat | Standing Leg Curl |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | hamstrings and calves |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 86 sessions | 1,989 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pistol Squat, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pistol Squat 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, Pistol Squat or Standing Leg Curl?
Planfit users log Standing Leg Curl more often — 1,989 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.
Do Pistol Squat and Standing Leg Curl work the same muscles?
Not quite. Pistol Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Standing Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves.
What equipment do Pistol Squat and Standing Leg Curl need?
Pistol Squat needs bodyweight only, and Standing Leg Curl needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Standing Leg Curl is the easier place to start. Move to Pistol Squat once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.
