7 Different Types Of Leg Press Machines

Many individuals say the squat is the king of all exercises. Something about loading 405 on the bar and driving out of the opening makes you’re feeling invincible. However the leg press? That makes even the heaviest squats appear to be child’s play. 

From Ronnie Coleman’s legendary 2000+ lb lift to NFL players clanging stacks of eight plates, training on the leg press packs on some insane strength and size.

Not only is it implausible for serious lifters, but it surely’s also a flexible option for trainees recovering from injury, with back pain, and even those recent to strength training. The issue is that there’s not only one kind of leg press machine, and every type has its individual applications.

In case you’re unsure of the different sorts and the features of every, SET FOR SET has got you covered! We’ll review a complete of seven varieties of leg press machines. All are awesome and convey their very own advantages, so we’ll help break them right down to see what they create to the table.

Table of Contents:

• What Is A Leg Press Machine?
• What Muscles Does Leg Press Work?
• 7 Types Of Leg Press Machines
• Summary Of Different Types Of Leg Press Machines
• The Best Type Of Leg Press Machine

What Is A Leg Press Machine?

A leg press machine is designed for lifters to take a seat in a padded seat and use their lower body to press a loaded sled against gravity. When seated, that giant sled sits at a slight upward angle in front of the legs, traveling forward and back along a track. Now, the lifter can push the sled together with his legs as it should need to slide down resulting from gravity.

As such, the leg press obviously trains the lower body muscles and is usually used to copy the squat. When comparing the leg press vs squat, performing the squat and leg press uses similar biomechanics, except the leg press machine offers back support and is on a track.

This extra stabilization makes it possible to coach the legs while giving the core a break. Due to this fact, it will probably be used as an adjunct to the squat, during times of back injury, or at the same time as a primary movement if appropriately loaded.

Because of the power to pile on heavy loads, the leg press allows for serious gains in strength training and adds slabs of lean muscle mass.

What Muscles Does Leg Press Work?

No matter its variety, the leg press machine will train all the muscle groups within the lower body, just like how the standard squat trains the whole lower body¹.

Let’s quickly review the first muscles activated with the leg press machine and explain how they’ll function.

• Quadriceps: The quadriceps muscle group comprises 4 muscles that sit on the anterior of the upper thigh, between your knee and hips. These muscles are the first knee extensors and can straighten the leg as you press the load up.
• Hamstrings: The hamstring muscle group is a gaggle of three muscles that sit on the posterior of the upper leg. These muscles are antagonists to the quadriceps and are the first knee flexors. In addition they play a task in hip extension.
• Glutes: Your glutes are essentially the most powerful muscles within the human body. They are a group of three muscles that sit on the buttocks. Together, the muscles are the first hip extensors but in addition play a big role in stabilizing the hips.
• Calf: The calf muscles can help you perform dorsiflexion of the ankle (pointing your toes) and are utilized in activities resembling walking and jumping. In the course of the leg press, the calves will work by keeping the feet solid as they push.

Once we take a look at the movement pattern of a typical leg press, we see a considerable amount of hip and knee flexion because the load comes down. At the underside, the hips and knee must then extend to propel the load back up, meaning the glutes and quadriceps will probably be used extensively. At the identical time, the hamstrings and calves will stabilize the load and help construct force.

Different leg press machines offer unique movement patterns that activate different muscle groups. You can even alter your foot position to alter the biomechanics and muscle activation.

For instance, studies show that placing your feet higher will elicit greater activation within the hamstrings, while lower placement elicits greater quadriceps².

To learn more about the several foot positions, take a look at our article on the 7 Leg Press Foot Placements & Muscles Worked.

7 Sorts of Leg Press Machines

As you’ve probably realized by now, a “leg press” could actually confer with several different machines, so let’s go over the different sorts.

1) 45-Degree Leg Press Machine:

The 45-degree leg press machine is essentially the most common kind of leg press. As its name suggests, it’s an incline leg press where the lifter sits together with his (or her) back at a 45-degree angle.

It often comes with adjustable seats to permit various degrees of hip flexion, and the seats are frequently very large and cushioned, allowing ultimate comfort and support.

These machines are generally plate-loaded, which suggests the sled will move while the lifter stays stationary. The foot platform is large, so you should use various foot positions to hit the leg muscles in another way. Some people even turn around and perform quadruped donkey kicks to isolate the glutes.

All that considered, under most circumstances (and assuming money is not a difficulty), the 45-degree leg press machine needs to be your primary leg press machine.

I actually just like the Force USA 45-Degree Leg Press/Hack Squat Combo, which not only allows you to do the leg press, but in addition hack squats, calf raises, and forward thrusts.

2) Hack Squat Leg Press Machine:

The hack squat is a kind of squat that’s performed in a technique to put more give attention to the quadriceps with an upright back. It was originally done as a kind of deadlift with the barbell behind your legs, forcing you to squat down and drive barely backward.

Just by the sound of that, we’re sure you possibly can imagine that is not comfortable or easy to do. Due to this fact, the hack squat machine was built to make hack squats easier to perform. 

This machine includes a base to face on and a backrest that slides up and down on a track. It’s this sled that you just load with weight plates.

A lifter then stands and lays so their back is firmly planted within the back pad. Next, the lifter will place their feet out in front and squat, letting the back pad slide down. The back is straight and planted firmly, so the quadriceps receive many of the resistance.

As well as, you too can perform a reverse hack squat to focus on the glutes and hamstrings. Body Craft Linear Bearing Leg Press Machine is a 6 in 1 leg press machine that is versatility allows you to do the leg press, along with the hack squat, donkey squat, and calf raises.

3) Hack Squat Combo:

Undecided in the event you should get the hack squat machine or the 45-degree angled machine? Then the hack squat combo is true for you.

The name does a reasonably good job describing this dual function leg press. Different brands can have different designs, but the important thing differentiator is that it lets you perform each the hack squat and a conventional leg press. Often, that is achieved by either having a foot platform that swings out or shoulder pads that double as feet placements.

While these are costlier than a single machine, you possibly can get monetary savings and space in comparison with buying two separate machines. Remember the Force USA 45-Degree Leg Press/Hack Squat Combo I really helpful above? It’s an awesome combo option!

4) Seated Leg Press Machine:

The seated leg press machine could be very common in industrial gyms. These machines can have a lifter sit in a chair with their feet on a sled in front of them. As a result of this setup, these are also often called horizontal leg presses.

Unlike angled leg press machines, the horizontal seated leg press can have the seat slide fairly than the foot base, and so they are almost all the time pin loaded. These two designs could make the machine feel safer for people not used to big machines.

For all the reasons above, in comparison to the opposite leg press machines, the seated leg press is usually considered the safest (in point of fact, they’re all secure) and is used more by most of the people and the elderly. Nevertheless, assuming the burden stack is heavy enough, anyone can use these to construct muscle.

My favorite? The Body Solid Horizontal Leg Press, which is designed to handle some seriously heavy weight and is great for consistent resistance and range of motion.

5) Vertical Leg Press Machine:

The vertical leg press machine has gained popularity over the past few years. Because the name implies, you perform this leg press by laying flat in your back and pressing a load straight up. Many lifters swear to feel significantly more of their quadriceps and glutes.

One advantage of vertical leg presses for homeowners is that it takes up less space than other options because you press straight up fairly than horizontally or up at an angle. 

The downside is that many individuals claim vertical leg press machines are far more uncomfortable and require more stability. While this is just not necessarily bad, these will not be for beginners.

For those eager about the vertical leg press, take a look at the Body Solid Powerline Vertical Leg Press. You will find it takes up less space than horizontal versions and consequently of gravity and body positioning, typically feels tougher.

6) Compact Leg Press Machine:

The compact leg press machine is the smallest machine there’s, making it ideal for those searching for one to place in a house gym. It consists of a base where you place your feet after which a seat that travels up and down on a pivot. You may then load this seat so as to add weight.

You’ll place your feet on the stand after which perform squats while pressing into the burden seat to perform the movement. 

As a result of its design, you possibly can push loads of weight while minimizing the space required. As such, it makes a superb home gym leg press. 

My favorite option for small spaces, the TDS Vertical Premier Leg Press, can be one other great vertical leg press option. Lift heavy without taking over loads of room – what’s not to love?

7) Belt Squat Machine:

While not your typical leg press machine, I need to say the belt squat machine. Although it is not using a sled to maneuver weight, it provides a implausible leg workout while mitigating stress on the lower back.

The belt squat machine uses a pulley system to connect a load to a belt placed on the hips. From there, you possibly can do resisted squats and lunges. Because the load attaches to the hips, there’s zero stress on the back, and most platforms have handles that allow for support.

In comparison with leg press machines, they require significantly less space, making them an optimal option for home gyms. I’m an enormous fan of the Bells Of Steel Belt Squat Machine 2.0, which incorporates a heavy duty belt, has a 700-pound maximum weight capability, and allows you to move through a full range of motion.

Serious about reviewing more belt squat decisions? Try the 3 Best Belt Squat Machine Options!

Summary of Different Sorts of Leg Press Machines

As you possibly can see, all of those leg press machines are awesome but have some differences. Here’s a summary of every.

What Is The Best Leg Press Machine?

It’s unimaginable to completely answer which leg press machine type is best, as loads of it relies on your training preferences, budget, and space. Whatever leg press machine you select, you will get an intense leg workout. 

Although it’s one machine, various options can be found to hit the legs in another way, making it far more versatile than you may first think. Possibly you need to lift heavy but haven’t got a spot, or you need to leg press to failure.

Possibly you just like the sound of plates banging, or you like a pin-loaded option. Take a take a look at our 10 Best Leg Press Machines for some awesome decisions. I highlighted a few of my favorites above, but I’d be remiss to not re-mention a couple of of the perfect yet another time!

For those constructing a house gym, I like to recommend a compact leg press just like the TDS Vertical Premier Leg Press. It’s mounted on heavy-duty rollers, so it’ll be quite a bit easier to maneuver and install in your own home gym.

For individuals who prefer to remain upright, you will need a vertical leg press. Sound interesting? Try the Body Solid Horizontal Leg Press for an awesome selection with three start/stop positions and additional back padding.

FAQs

In case there’s the rest you are inquisitive about, let’s take a look at among the more incessantly asked questions on varieties of leg press machines.

Is the seated leg press similar to a leg press?

It relies on how people use the words, however the leg press generally refers back to the plate-loaded 45-degree machine. Alternatively, the seated leg press generally refers back to the horizontal leg press machine that’s pin loaded.

Does the seated leg press include body weight?

Many seated leg press machines can have the back pad and seat slide up and down. In these cases, your weight would make a difference.

What’s the difference between a leg press machine and a squat?

While each these machines train the lower body muscles with similar biomechanics, they’re pretty different. The leg press machine is a kind of machine you sit down on to mimic a squatting motion. Alternatively, the squat is a free-weight exercise that uses a barbell.

How much do leg press machines weigh?

These can vary greatly depending on the style and brand. Chances are you’ll find a way to search out a compact leg press for lower than $100, while a heavy-duty skilled machine may weigh > 1000 lbs.

How do I adjust the leg press machine?

A leg press machine is usually a plate-loaded machine, meaning you utilize external plates to change the burden.

Picking The Right Type Of Leg Press Machine

Any of the above leg press machines will greatly impact your workout regime, so in the event you’re not using one, you had higher start.  

You will find a way to put quite a bit more volume in your muscles while saving your back, ultimately resulting in more significant muscle gains and stronger legs. Or, for some people, the leg press machines may be the important thing to getting past plateaus with the squat or just provide you with the boldness you must press larger loads.

Everyone has had a leg press machine that is best for them, it just relies on your preferences and budget. But rest assured that whatever you select, it has you covered for a solid leg day.