Leg Press Vs. Leg Extension (Which Is Better & Why?)

What Is the Leg Press Exercise?

A leg press is basically a bench press for your legs. You load weights up on the rack, unlock the bar, and lower and raise the weights against gravity using your legs. Leg presses work primarily the quadriceps, hamstrings, and butt muscles. They can also be easily modified to target the calves as well.

Pros & Cons of Leg Press Exercises

What Muscles Does The Leg Press Work?

Quadriceps

The main muscle group that leg presses work on is the quadricep. The extension and press motion are localized in the top front quadriceps.

Hamstrings

Leg press machines also work the hamstrings, which are located on the backside of the legs. Your hamstrings are essential for stability when walking and changing direction.

Gluteus maximus (butt muscles)

Leg extensions also make your butt look better. Your butt muscles (glutes) connect to both the hamstrings and quadriceps. Leg presses and squats are two of the best exercises to improve your butt muscles.

Calves

Leg press machines also target the calves. You can modify the motion of a leg press to focus specifically on the calves by taking your heels off the platform and pushing your feet forward.

How to Do Leg Press: Tips & Techniques

First, you want to position your legs so your back is flat on the board and your feet are flat on the platform with a slight bend in your knees. Then, push up, remove the safety bar, and slowly bend your knees until they are at slightly less than a 90-degree angle. Then, slowly extend your legs and exhale while doing so.

Make sure to not fully extend your legs and lock your knees. You can also put just the balls of your feet on the platform and have your heels off the bottom. Move your feet back and forth to work your calves.

What Is the Leg Extension Exercise

Leg extensions are another leg exercise aimed at the quadriceps. With a leg extension machine, you sit in the seat and put your legs under a bar. You then raise your legs and raise the bar, which is attached to weights that provide resistance.

Leg extensions are a useful exercise because they do not require much space to do and work your quadriceps and frontal shin muscles. With a leg extension, you are sitting in an upright position with your back straight against the seat and your head level. Leg extensions can also be modified to target the hamstrings and glutes too.

Pros & Cons of Leg Extension Exercise

What Muscles Does the Leg Extension Work?

Hamstrings

Leg extensions slightly target the hamstrings but can be modified to primarily target them. Some machines let you change the position of the bar so you can use it backwards for your hamstrings.

Quads

Leg extensions mostly work the quadriceps, as those are the muscles that produce most of the raising motion. The quadriceps get the most resistance from the leg extension movement.

Calves

Leg extension machines work your calves slightly but not as much as a traditional leg press. At best, leg extensions work your calves as a side effect rather than targeting them. 

How to Do Leg Extensions: Step By Step Guide

Leg extensions are very simple. You start by sitting down in the bucket seat with your back flat against the chair back and your feet hooked under the bar. Next, slowly raise your legs, bending at the knee until your legs are almost flat extended.

Do not extend your legs fully or lock your knees. Hold the extended position for 2-3 seconds, then slowly go back down to starting position. Repeat until muscle fatigue sets in.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Is a leg press as good as squats?

Leg presses are good, but in our opinion, they are not as good as squats for getting every muscle group in the legs and torso. Both leg presses and squats would be a good part of a workout routine.

Why can I leg press but not squat?

Squatting is more difficult because you also have to worry about your balance and the motion involves your back as well as your legs.

Is leg press bad for your knees? Is it better for your knees than a leg extension?

No, neither leg presses nor leg extensions are bad for your knees unless you do the motions incorrectly. If you bend your legs too far or lock your legs, you can damage your knees.

How deep should you go on your leg presses?

Bend your legs until your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. You should try not to go much further past this mark as you can hurt your knees from the pressure.

Conclusion

Leg presses and leg extensions are two useful exercises you can add to your workout routine. Just make sure you know the difference between the two and that you understand the proper technique and form for leg press and leg extension techniques.