V Squat vs Leg Extension
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
V Squat works multiple joints at once, Leg Extension isolates — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Leg day.
Compare the benefits of V Squat and Leg Extension and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
V Squat vs Leg Extension: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Leg Extension more often — 49,848 sessions compared to 5,025 for V Squat.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. V Squat and Leg Extension differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How V Squat and Leg Extension Differ
| What differs | V Squat | Leg Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | quads |
| Machine type | plate-loaded | pin-loaded |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,025 sessions | 49,848 sessions |
How to Do V Squat
V Squat Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Tighten your abdomen and keep your waist straight, then bend at the hip to lower your buttocks down.
- 2. Allow your knees to bend naturally until your thighs are vertical to your body.
- 3. Push strongly through the center of your feet to rise up.
- 4. As your buttocks rise, straighten your knees and hips in sequence, and return 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 come off the ground.
- 6. When standing up, please ensure your knees do not come together.
For a full V Squat guide with alternatives and benefits, see the V Squat exercise guide.
How to Do Leg Extension
Leg Extension Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Please lift until your knees are fully extended.
- 2. Please contract from the front of your thigh close to your knee up to the upper thigh near the hip joint.
- 3. Slowly lower down until the angle of your knees is 90 degrees while resisting the weight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please do not give any momentum as it may injure your knees.
- 2. Please be careful not to fully bend or straighten your knees.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your hips and back separate.
For a full Leg Extension guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Leg Extension exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, V Squat or Leg Extension?
Planfit users log Leg Extension more often — 49,848 sessions against 5,025 for V Squat. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do V Squat and Leg Extension work the same muscles?
Not quite. V Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Leg Extension loads quads.
What equipment do V Squat and Leg Extension need?
V Squat needs a machine, and Leg Extension needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Leg Extension is the easier place to start. Move to V Squat once your form holds up.
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