Legs
The main muscle group listed for this exercise.
Exercise guide
Leg Press
Leg Press is a beginner-friendly leg exercise performed with a resistance machine. It also involves the glutes.
Machine
The equipment listed for this variation.
Beginner
The recorded setup and movement complexity.
Legs
Leg Press also involves glutes.
Strength
Movement pattern: press. This is a compound exercise.
Beginner
This level reflects the setup and movement complexity recorded for this exercise.
Instructions
How to do Leg Press
- Using a leg press machine, sit down on the machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at a medium (shoulder width) foot stance. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance described above which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances described in the foot positioning section).
- Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform in place and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you. Tip: Make sure that you do not lock your knees. Your torso and the legs should make a perfect 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position.
- As you inhale, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs make a 90-degree angle.
- Pushing mainly with the heels of your feet and using the quadriceps go back to the starting position as you exhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and ensure to lock the safety pins properly once you are done. You do not want that platform falling on you fully loaded.
Variations
Alternatives
Related workouts
Workout templates that use this exercise.
If you want to see this movement inside a more complete training session, start here.
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A simple four-day split that gives each half of the body two quality sessions each week.
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View workoutBeginner Gym Workout
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View exerciseLying Leg Curls
Lying Leg Curls is a beginner-friendly leg exercise performed with a resistance machine. It also involves the glutes.
View exerciseLeg Extensions
Leg Extensions is a beginner-friendly leg exercise performed with a resistance machine.
View exerciseRelated tools
Related calculators for this exercise.
Use these calculators when you want to connect the exercise itself to calories, protein, strength targets, or training volume.
FAQ
Common questions about Leg Press.
What muscles does Leg Press work?
Leg Press primarily trains the legs and also involves the glutes.
Is Leg Press beginner-friendly?
Yes. It is listed as beginner-friendly.
What equipment do I need for Leg Press?
This variation uses a resistance machine.
Track this exercise for free in Logbook.
Once the movement is in your plan, use Logbook to record sets, reps, load, and progress without guessing what happened last week.