Leg press

The leg press is a compound weight training exercise in which the individual pushes a weight or resistance away from them using their legs. The term leg press machine refers to the apparatus used to perform this exercise.[1] The leg press can be used to evaluate an athlete's overall lower body strength (from knee joint to hip). It can help to build squat strength.[2] If performed correctly, the inclined leg press can help develop knees to manage heavier free weights,[3] on the other hand, it has the potential to inflict grave injury: the knees could bend the wrong way if they are locked during the exercise.[4]

It can be performed in variations, for example with one leg, or attaching bands to the leg press.[2]

Types
Incline leg press

There are two main types of leg press:

  • The diagonal (incline) or vertical 'sled' type leg press. Weight plates are attached directly to the sled, which is mounted on rails. The user sits below the sled and pushes it upward with their feet. These machines normally include adjustable safety brackets that prevent the user from being trapped under the weight.
  • The 'cable' type leg press, or 'seated leg press', commonly found on multigyms. The user sits upright and pushes forward with their feet onto a plate that is attached to the weight stack by means of a long steel cable.

Muscle groups

The leg press works the following muscle groups:[5][1]

Varying the angle between the sled and the backrest and/or the position of the feet on the plate puts more emphasis on one or the other muscle group.[5]

Magnitude of leg press lifts
A loaded leg press machine, used for strength exercises of the lower body.

As the diagonal leg press involves pushing a weight along an inclined track, rather than lifting it vertically, it is possible for strength trainers to press very heavy weight in comparison to other exercises.[6]

Variations

One-legged

The leg press can be performed with one leg only. This can help to build stablising muscles. It is sometimes considered to be a more 'functional' exercise than the two-legged bilateral leg press because it can better replicate sporting or athletic movements where one leg is primarily being employed. According to the NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, 'I like single-leg work because it isn't often as a quarterback that both of your feet are stationary and planted.'[7] Performing the exercise one-legged may also help to correct strength imbalances between the legs. This is because during a bilateral two-legged leg press one side may be excessively dominant. Working both legs alternatively in a single-legged fashion means each leg has to perform the same amount of work.[8]

Standing

A standing leg press is a one-legged variation which is performed with one foot on the floor and the other positioned ahead of the person on a wall. Keeping one foot on the floor, the person bends their leg and moves towards the wall, and then straightens their leg and moves away from the wall etc. Alternatively an unfixed sled or cable pulley machine can be used to provide resistance against which the person pushes against.

See also

References
  1. "Incline Leg Press (Legs)". Fitness Volt. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. "Leg Press Guide". Barbend. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  3. "What Muscle Does the Incline Leg Press Work?". azcental. (USA Today Network). Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  4. "Lábtolás" (in Hungarian). Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  5. Shawn Kovacich (2005). Achieving Kicking Excellence: Axe Kick. Chikara Kan. p. 210. ISBN 9780970749628.
  6. "Squats vs. Leg Press". Old School. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  7. Hall, Brandon. "In Defense of the Leg Press: How To Reap The Benefits Of This Controversial Exercise". Stack.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  8. Tony Caterisano, Mike Gentry (2005). A Chance to Win: A Complete Guide to Physical Training for Football. Champaign: Sports Publishing L.L.C. p. 43. ISBN 1582619557.
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