Smith Machine Wide Squat vs Hip Thrust Machine
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,197 sessions vs 636. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Smith Machine Wide Squat and Hip Thrust Machine and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
Smith Machine Wide Squat vs Hip Thrust Machine: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,197 sessions compared to 636 for Smith Machine Wide Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Smith Machine Wide Squat and Hip Thrust Machine differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Smith Machine Wide Squat and Hip Thrust Machine Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Wide Squat | Hip Thrust Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs | glutes, quads, and hamstrings |
| Machine type | Smith-machine | pin-loaded |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 636 sessions | 4,197 sessions |
How to Do Smith Machine Wide Squat
Smith Machine Wide Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip joint to lower your hips down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your hips rise, straighten your knees and hip joints in sequence, returning to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lean your upper body too far 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 lift off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full Smith Machine Wide Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Wide Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Hip Thrust Machine
Hip Thrust Machine Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise your pelvis until your knees are vertical and your body is horizontal to the ground.
- 2. Return to the starting position while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your knees touch.
- 2. Please be careful not to tilt your head back.
- 3. Please keep your chest up and engage your core to avoid bending your waist.
For a full Hip Thrust Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Hip Thrust Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, Smith Machine Wide Squat or Hip Thrust Machine?
Planfit users log Hip Thrust Machine more often — 4,197 sessions against 636 for Smith Machine Wide Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Smith Machine Wide Squat and Hip Thrust Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Smith Machine Wide Squat loads glutes, hamstrings, and inner thighs, and Hip Thrust Machine loads glutes, quads, and hamstrings.
What equipment do Smith Machine Wide Squat and Hip Thrust Machine need?
Smith Machine Wide Squat needs a machine, and Hip Thrust Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Hip Thrust Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Wide Squat once your form holds up.
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