Side Lunge vs Standing Leg Curl
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Standing Leg Curl is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 2. Compare Leg form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Side Lunge and Standing Leg Curl and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Side Lunge vs Standing Leg Curl: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Side Lunge more often — 2,021 sessions compared to 1,989 for Standing Leg Curl.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Side Lunge and Standing Leg Curl differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Side Lunge and Standing Leg Curl Differ
| What differs | Side Lunge | Standing Leg Curl |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, glutes, and outer thighs | hamstrings and calves |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,021 sessions | 1,989 sessions |
How to Do Side Lunge
Side Lunge Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Move one foot to the side and shift your weight.
- 2. Bend the knee of the moved leg and keep the opposite leg straight.
- 3. Apply pressure to the center of the bent knee and slowly rise back to the starting position.
- 4. Repeat the same on the opposite side.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body forward.
- 2. Please make sure that your center of gravity does not shift too much to the side.
For a full Side Lunge guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Lunge exercise guide.
How to Do 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 Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to fully extend your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to lift your upper body.
For a full Standing Leg Curl guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Standing Leg Curl exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Side Lunge or Standing Leg Curl?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Leg, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Side Lunge and Standing Leg Curl work the same muscles?
Not quite. Side Lunge loads quads, glutes, and outer thighs, and Standing Leg Curl loads hamstrings and calves.
What equipment do Side Lunge and Standing Leg Curl need?
Side Lunge 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 Side Lunge once your form holds up.
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