6 Best Leg Press Machines: Reviewed For Your Home Gym

Leg Press Machine Comparison Table

Benefits of Leg Presses

Leg press machine works similarly as when you’re doing squats, although you are not working with that many muscles. Usually athletes include leg press exercise to isolate quadriceps muscles, which works effectively along leg extensions and leg curls.

If done correctly and effectively, it can help you build powerful legs along with other leg exercises. I would not recommend doing only leg presses, however, because you are isolating quads and therefore completely eliminating glutes from the workout routine.

Dangers of Leg Presses

Are leg presses dangerous for you? Mostly, yes, the exercise can be quite dangerous to your body.

Since the machine isolates quadriceps muscles, it does not allow your body to properly and naturally use other muscles and therefore it puts a lot of stress on your knees and lower back, hips and spine. One of the most common mistake is that people might tend to fully lock-out your knees. This is not recommended and can seriously damage them.

With that being said, if you are not sure how to use the leg press machine properly, consult that with a certified trainer. You can also consider using knee wraps, so the pressure on your knees is limited.

6 Best Leg Press Machines Reviewed

Now that we know the benefits and dangers of leg presses, let’s jump right onto our list of the 6 best leg press machine for home.

1. TDS Premier Vertical Leg Press

From all the vertical leg press machines, I’ve decided to include the ones made by Powerline (2^nd on our list) and then, this fella made by TDS. TDS brand is mostly known by their quality power racks and ugly pictures they use for them (lol, right?).

The entire construction is made of heavy-duty steel tube and it’s mounted on eight heavy-duty steel rollers. The extra-wide foot deck fully accommodates all feet sizes.

The back-pad itself is of heavy quality and uses 3-inches thick stitched padding. The machine also includes heavy-duty safety stoppers. I feel like I say (write) heavy-duty way too much, but this is indeed the case with TDS Premier vertical leg press machine.

The machine comes in silver-gray finish, which is of pretty good quality. It supports 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg) of total weight.

The assembled dimensions are 49″W x 47″D x 75″H (124.5 x 119.4 x 190.5 cm) and the weight is 200 lbs (90.7 kg).

2. Body-Solid GLPH1100

The very first on our list is a machine manufactured by Body-Solid. The brand is very-well known in the fitness equipment business.

Let’s start with the frame. Body-solid used quality extra heavy-duty 2″x 4″ 11-gauge steel mainframe and the built effectively limits torsional flex (facility of particular sequence elements to vary twist angles) and offers maximum stability and strength. The extra heavy-gauge diamond plate foot platform is made with care for both, leg presses and hack squat position.

Quick flip-n-lock mechanism is utilized by both back-pads for maximum safety and comfort.

This is one hell of a piece of equipment. The assembled dimensions are 56 x 34 x 83 inches (142.2 x 86.4 x 210.8 cm) and the weight (without plates) is 310 pounds (140.6 kg). Weight plates are not included and need to be purchased separately.

3. Powerline Vertical Leg Press (PVLP156X)

2^nd on our list is a vertical leg press machine made by Powerline, which is child-brand of Body-Solid.

Vertical leg press machine works a bit differently, but it still effectively isolates lower body muscles. The entire frame is made of durable alloy steel with a tough powder-coated finish.

The locking system is dual-adjustable 1/2” locking pins with 3 starting & stopping positions. All the pads are extra thick and contoured for maximum comfort and safety. The bushings are made of nylon for consistent and smooth motion.

The foot plate is extra-wide and is especially made with a non-slip design. Powerline offers 10-years warranty on frame and 1-year warranty on other parts.

The assembled dimensions are 46 x 48 x 60 inches (116.8 x 121.9 x 152.4 cm) and the weight is 93 pounds (42.2 kg).

The plates, collars and adapter sleeves are not included and need to be purchased separately.

4. Body-Solid Pro Club Line SLP500G2

The last, but not least machine on our list of the very best ones for your home is once again made by Body-Solid, although this time we will take a closer look at the fully-commercial version with included weight stacks.

The entire frame is made of 2” x 4” steel for rock-solid stability and sturdiness. Pro Club version of the machine is made for users who prefer maximum quality over anything else.

In comparison with the competition, this machine uses sealed ball bearings and sophisticated pillow block for precise alignment and friction-free movement.

The machine is designed to provide full range of motion and limit spinal compression for maximum safety.

The DuraFirm back-pad is very high quality and fully adjustable. Along with the ergonomically designed press plate with two positions accommodates vast variety of users. Since this commercial version comes with included 210 lbs (95.2 kg) weight stack, there is no need to purchase weight plates.

I guess there is no need to mention that this beast of a machine is designed to last. That’s one of the reasons Body-Solid offers home lifetime warranty.

The assembled dimensions are 75 x 32 x 72 inches (190.5 x 81.3 x 182.9 cm) and the weight is 393 pounds (178.3 kg).

5. Bodycraft F660

Our list continues with a leg press machine manufactured by Bodycraft.

Similarly, as the GLPH1100 by Body-Solid, F660 machine can be used as a leg press machine and for hack squats as well. Actually, you can even do donkey squats and calf raises. The frame of the machine is made of heavy-duty steel along with industrial-grade linear bearings.

Most manufacturers use plastic bearings, which tend to flatten over time. This is not the case with these ones.

The quality steel foot plate is large enough to accommodate any feet and is fully adjustable for any desired angle. In case of hack squats, the foot plate can be folded out of the way.

The quality cushioned shoulder pads are fully adjustable to accommodate any height comfortable. Despite this, several users under 5’7” pointed out that while doing hack squats, you can’t do full-depth position even with the lowest shoulder setting. That’s something that should definitely be considered.

The total weight support is 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg). The assembled dimensions are 48 x 60 x 70 inches 122 x 152.4 x 177.8 cm) and the weight of the machine is 378 pounds (171.4 kg). Bodycraft offers a lifetime warranty for this product.

6. Powertec Fitness Compact Leg Sled (P-CLS16)

Let’s move to our 5^th leg press machine, which is manufactured by Powertec.

First thing worth mentioning is that we are reviewing the P-CLS16 model, not 14 or 11, but 16. This model is vastly superior when compared to its predecessors.

The frame is made of quality steel and is very well built and compact in design. It is possible the most compact leg press machine on the market. The weight load capacity of the sled carriage is 700 lbs (317.5 kg).

The machine is fully adjustable, from seat to back pad to angle foot plate, so it will accommodate even tallest of users.

The sled system is driven by eight nylon bearing wheels, which provides comfortable, quiet and very smooth motion.

The assembled dimensions are 48 x 46 x 47 inches (121.9 x 116.8 x 119.4 cm) and the weight is 198 pounds (89.8 kg).

Conclusion

That, ladies & gentlemen concludes our list. It took me several hours to scour the market for the very best machines currently on the market. If you are interested in one of the mentioned beasts, double check the features and pros and cons to make sure it suits all your needs.