Leg press

Seated in a machine, the feet press a sled away and let it back: the squat's leg drive with the back supported and the path guided, so balance and the trunk ask less.

Squat family

Leg press

Easier option

Seated in a machine, the feet press a sled away and let it back: the squat's leg drive with the back supported and the path guided, so balance and the trunk ask less.

DemandEasy

Equipment requiredA gym machine

Muscle focusQuads · Glutes · Hamstrings · Calves

Gets into position, then repeats the movement. Technical checks passed; qualified exercise review is pending.

Watch it bigger, and flip through similar moves, in the studio.Open in the studio

Source-researched guide. Clinical review is pending.

How to move

Sit with the back against the pad and the feet hip-width apart on the platform.
Release the safety catches and bend the knees to lower the sled under control, stopping before the lower back peels off the pad.
Press back to nearly straight legs without locking the knees; re-engage the catches at the end of the set.

Form cues

Keep the knees in line with the toes.
Lower only as far as the hips stay down on the seat.

Practice and cautions

No universal dose is assigned. Choose a manageable amount for your current capacity, leave room for controlled repetitions, and allow recovery. A clinician’s individual plan takes priority.

This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.

Add to a routine Log a session

Sources and review status

Sources support the educational description; they do not establish that this exercise is suitable for you.

Escamilla 2001 · Knee biomechanics in the squat and the leg press (the squat worked the thigh muscles harder; MSSE) ↗
ACSM 2009 · Progression models in resistance training (machines steady the body and are easy to learn; free weights ask more coordination) ↗
Free Exercise DB · alias and muscle metadata ↗
Unlicense · Free Exercise DB contributors; derived from wrkout/exercises.json. Text import; no photographs or media. · Revision f00c92c7dcf1216a928a52c3706c7ce8e2f71ed5

No variation is labeled clinically validated.

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What it works

Muscles

Main: Quads. Also: Glutes, Hamstrings, Calves.

Equipment

Strength machine

Level

Beginner. See the easier and harder options above.

Workouts that use it

Leg day workout (gym) · 55 min

Pain guides that use it

Part of a staged plan, with when to get help first.

Similar moves

Narrow-stance leg press demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoNarrow-stance leg pressBeginner · Strength machine

Smith Machine Leg PressIntermediate · Strength machine

Barbell Bulgarian split squat demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell Bulgarian split squatAdvanced · A barbell + A bench or box

Barbell lunge demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell lungeIntermediate · A barbell

Barbell side split squat demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell side split squatIntermediate · A barbell

Barbell snatch demonstrated on the 3D figure

3D demoBarbell snatchAdvanced · A barbell

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Questions people ask

What muscles does the Leg press work?

Mainly the quads, with help from the glutes, hamstrings and calves.

What equipment do I need for the Leg press?

Strength machine.

Is the Leg press good for beginners?

It is graded beginner, so it suits most people starting out. When it feels easy, try the Bodyweight squat.

How do I make the Leg press harder?

Progress to the Bodyweight squat, or add load, range or slower lowering once your form is solid.