Leg Press
Movement demo
Watch a video demonstration of this exercise on MuscleWiki. The demo opens on an external site.
Muscles worked
Effectiveness
★★★★☆ 4/5
Acute studies show quadriceps force and activation demands during the leg press are comparable to the squat and knee extension. No longitudinal hypertrophy trial specific to the leg press was identified, so this rating rests on acute biomechanical and EMG data, which do not establish growth.
Note on this rating: it leans on EMG studies, which measure muscle activation during the movement. EMG amplitude does not establish muscle growth.
How to perform
Seated in a leg press machine with the feet on the platform, the lifter extends the knees and hips to push the platform away. The quadriceps are the primary movers, with the gluteus maximus assisting hip extension. The machine guides the movement path and supports the back.