V Squat vs Side Kick Back
Which one fits your Leg workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions vs 822. Compare Leg form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of V Squat and Side Kick Back and pick the one that fits your Leg workout.
V Squat vs Side Kick Back: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions compared to 822 for Side Kick Back.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. V Squat and Side Kick Back 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 Side Kick Back Differ
| What differs | V Squat | Side Kick Back |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, and glutes | outer thighs |
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 5,025 sessions | 822 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 Side Kick Back
Side Kick Back Muscles Worked: Leg
Form
- 1. Raise one leg while keeping the knee at a 90-degree angle, parallel to the ground.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Proceed one side at a time or alternately.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Keep your chest up to avoid bending your waist and engage your core.
- 2. Be careful not to bend your elbows.
For a full Side Kick Back guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Side Kick Back exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Leg, V Squat or Side Kick Back?
Planfit users log V Squat more often — 5,025 sessions against 822 for Side Kick Back. Both train Leg, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do V Squat and Side Kick Back work the same muscles?
Not quite. V Squat loads quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and Side Kick Back loads outer thighs.
What equipment do V Squat and Side Kick Back need?
V Squat needs a machine, and Side Kick Back needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Side Kick Back is the easier place to start. Move to V Squat once your form holds up.
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