Leg press

Machine

Primary muscles

Secondary muscles

The machine supports the back, so the legs can be loaded heavily without the spinal erectors limiting the set. Higher foot placement increases hip and glute involvement.

Form cues

Keep the lower back on the pad
Lower to about 90 degrees of knee bend, or deeper if your hips stay on the pad
Do not lock the knees hard at the top

Full leg press guide →

What each muscle does in the leg press

Muscle	Role	Action
Quadriceps	Primary	Extends the knee; the rectus femoris also flexes the hip
Gluteus maximus	Primary	Extends and laterally rotates the hip
Hip adductors	Secondary	Adduct the hip; the adductor magnus also extends it
Hamstrings	Secondary	Flex the knee and extend the hip

Primary muscles are the prime movers; secondary muscles assist or stabilise. The balance shifts with grip, stance, range of motion and technique.

Related exercises

Barbell back squat
Front squat
Conventional deadlift
Romanian deadlift
Walking lunge
Bulgarian split squat
Leg extension
Lying leg curl
Barbell hip thrust
Glute bridge
Hip abduction
Hip adduction
Standing calf raise
Seated calf raise