Machine leg press

Leg press machine

Also called leg press, sled press

Machine leg press, start position — Images: Free Exercise DB (public domain)

Machine leg press, end position — Images: Free Exercise DB (public domain)

Sit in the sled with feet on the platform, lower it until the knees are near the chest, then press back up without locking out.

Back and hips stay on the pad
Stop before the hips tuck under
Do not lock the knees at the top

Movement

Pattern: Squat
Type: Compound, several joints move
Sides: Both sides together
Equipment: Leg press machine
Variations: Vertical leg press

Muscles worked

Main movers get full credit for a set, helpers half.

Lower body

QuadsMain
GlutesHelper
AdductorsHelper

Ratings

Scores 1-5 averaged over sources. Tap a rating for the claims behind it. Claims are our summaries of the linked sources, fact-checked by AI.

Muscle growth higher is better3.8
Very good; among the better picks for the muscle. 4 sources.
- 4/5 The 45-degree leg press is recommended as the far better quad builder than the vertical version. Renaissance Periodization, The 5 Most Dangerous Machines in the Gym @ 15:48videoExpert opinion2025checked by AI
- 3/5 Average B with huge variation; good ones with a back pad are S, bad ones fold you up. Renaissance Periodization, Every Gym Machine Ranked by Exercise Scientists @ 42:41videoExpert opinion2025checked by AI
- 4/5 High quad tension and good overload, but often cannot reach squat depth; A tier. Jeff Nippard, The Best & Worst QUAD Exercises (Ranked Using Science) @ 6:09videoExpert opinion2024checked by AI
- 4/5 High raw stimulus magnitude; a reliable driver of quad growth in a specialization block. Renaissance Periodization, Get Bigger Quads With This Science-Based Program! @ 9:44videoExpert opinion2023checked by AI
Stimulus to fatigue higher is better3.3
Average cost for the stimulus. 3 sources.
- 4/5 Listed with hack squats and squats as a core high-SFR quad compound that is also very high in raw stimulus. Renaissance Periodization, Get Bigger Quads With This Science-Based Program! @ 9:13videoExpert opinion2023checked by AI
- 4/5 Common bodybuilder quad staple because it stimulates quads without much systemic spillover. Renaissance Periodization, Four Index Approach to Exercise Selection | Advanced Hypertrophy Concepts and Tools | Lecture 11 @ 27:00videoExpert opinion2021checked by AI
- 2/5 Leg press gives him a worse SFR than hack squat, though it may be fine for others. Renaissance Periodization, Stimulus to Fatigue Ratio Quick Guide @ 24:20videoExpert opinion2020checked by AI
Injury risk lower is better2.0
Low risk with basic technique. 1 source.
- 2/5 Knee hyperextension at lockout is very rare if the weight is controlled at the top and hands are not used to push the legs through. Renaissance Periodization, Safe Lifting Technique | Injury Prevention Made Simple #2 @ 4:36videoExpert opinion2022checked by AI
Loaded stretch higher is better4.0
Hard in the stretched position. 1 source.
- 4/5 Named with squats, hack squats and belt squats as lifts that combine a deep stretch with high tension there. Renaissance Periodization, How to Pick the BEST Exercises for Muscle Growth @ 4:06videoExpert opinion2025checked by AI