10 Best Leg Press Machines in 2024

Being a go-to exercise for gym newbies and experienced athletes, a leg press workout enables anyone of different fitness levels to build powerful legs to withstand more intensive and challenging training.

Have a look at the list of decent equipment to tone your legs and choose the best leg press machine that will fit your needs.

Optimize your technique and build leg muscles safely without any risk of strain on your knees and ligaments. Pick the model that will be easy for you to use, while being capable to handle enough weight for more advanced training.

Top 10 Best Leg Press Machines Reviewed

1. PowerTec Leg Press Machine – Top Pick
2. Spart Leg Press & Hack Squat Machine – Runner-Up
3. GMWD Leg Press & Squat Machine Combo
4. AnythingSports Leg Press & Hack Squat Machine
5. BodySolid Compact Leg Press – Best Compact
6. Titan Fitness Vertical Leg Press Machine
7. BodySolid SLP500G-3 – Best Horizontal
8. Syedee Leg Press Machine
9. Bodycraft Linear Leg Press Machine
10. Titan Fitness Stealth Leg Press – Best Rack-Mounted Attachment

Product	Total	Quality	Portability	Max Weight Capacity	Versatility	Price/ Quality
PowerTec	50	10	10	10	10	10
Spart	49.5	10	9.5	10	10	10
GMWD	48	10	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5
Anything Sports	47.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9.5
Body Solid	46.5	9.5	9.5	9.5	9	9
Titan (vertical)	46	9	9.5	9	9	9.5
BodySolid (horizontal)	45	9.5	8.5	9	9	9
Syedee	45	9	9	9	9	9
Bodycraft	44.5	9	8.5	9	9	9
Titan Fitness(attachment)	48.5	9.5	10	9	10	10

This leg press machine from PowerTec is our best leg press machine due to its exceptional durability and adjustability. The machine will fit a wide range of athletes between 4’9” to 6’3”.

You’ll get three lock settings on the leg press: 32”, 39”, and 46”. Although, you’d better measure your inseam and check it off against the different height settings to see if you’d be able to achieve a full range of motion.

You can train with diverse weights starting from 60 lb and up to 1000 lb, and adjust a seat and backrest for better comfort and versatility of positions. It goes with dual safety catches on the sides for heavy lifting.

The tool is compatible with 2” plates which makes it a good option for those who ever wanted to take up weightlifting. Besides leg press, you’ll be able to perform calf raises by varying the loaded plates’ weight to target better quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glute muscles.

Here you are a 2-in-1 leg press and hack squat commercial machine made from heavy-duty durable high tensile 14 gauge steel of 50x100 mm, which withstands up to 2000 lb. It comes with an 8.3” sleeve length, and each side of a loading bar can be loaded up to the 6 x 45 lb 2” Olympic bumper plates.

The package includes a universal wrench and 2 bumper clamps. You can adjust the height of the backrest for your best comfort by switching between 5 options by pulling out the spring easily. This leg press & hack squat equipment has 4 additional weight storage holders that fit 1" and 2" bumper/weight plates.

The 45-degree machine can help you to train various muscle groups of the lower body: while leg press exercising you’ll involve quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You also can change your foot position on the platform to activate other muscle groups.

During the hack squat option, you’ll stimulate the quads more and improve your back squat form during the conventional squatting.

Speaking about the lockout position, it can be easily controlled: you just need to fold in the handrails to lock the carriage bar in place when you finish your workout session.

This machine is the best leg press hack squat combo and provides users with a combo for performing hip sled exercises, i.e., leg presses and squats due to the 45-degree angled triangular construction.

This hip sled tool is also suitable for calf raises to work out your legs which are the strongest muscles of the body. It’s considered commercial-level equipment made of 50x100 mm,14 gauge. So, it’s pretty sturdy and durable.

If you watch to switch between leg press and hack squat training, you can make it in a moment by adjusting the backrest. The machine has a safety catch with 2 different levels to fit different heights.

A padded backrest of 14” W x 29” L provides enough comfort while exercising. Also, you can store your weight plates in the four weight holders on the rear rods, and adjust them with the help of four strong bearing pins that are included in the package.

A leg press machine from AnythingSports is actually a 2-in-1 tool as the previous model that is united into a single piece of equipment both for leg presses and hack squats. With a spring-actuated lock, you can switch between these constructions and choose what you like most.

Made from high-quality steel, it’s quite stable and durable, so you can load it up to 1000 lb. There’s no need to worry about safety when exercising with heavy loads since the machine has three lockout positions you can control throughout your training.

When performing leg press exercises, your feet won’t slip thanks to the feet plate diamond-pattern surface that brings you extra grip.

The machine is also equipped with comfortable cushioning pads that support your shoulder area and lower back. According to some extra specs, this 2-in-1 machine is compatible with the Olympic plates only and will suit users of the height up to 6’5” with fully extended legs.

This heavy-gauge steel leg press machine is the best leg press machine for home gym in our list, which is equipped with a carriage with sealed linear bearing for bringing smooth glide even when loaded with weights. 

It brings you an opportunity to perform both leg press and calf raise exercises. It can be easily stored at home and become a worthy leg press tool for home workouts. The machine also has two 12” chrome-plated weight horns, and its adjustable backrest will fit any height user to bring them a perfect fit and body position while exercising.

Here we have a specialty vertical leg press machine that aims to train your leg muscles, particularly the quadriceps, calves, glutes, and hamstrings. While it doesn’t put much pressure on your back and upper body, so it makes it a good training option for people with upper body injuries.

This cheap leg press machine goes with three weight posts to load the needed number of plates, namely, it fits 45 lb Olympic plates. Also, there are three adjustable height settings up to 52.5”, so the machine can fit users of different heights.

Diamond-patterned footplate vouches for no slipping while lifting heavy weights, and rubber grip handles bring extra support for ease of entry and exit out of the leg press machine.

Our next model of leg press machines comes with a horizontal modification, being one of the most durable and heavy-duty tools among the reviewed ones. It refers most to commercial machines because of its heavy weight of 555 lb, so it makes it inappropriate for home gym usage, especially if you lack extra space.

The machine itself is equipped with a pillow block and sealed ball bearings for accurate alignment and smooth system movement.

The main frame is of 2” x 4” high-tensile strength steel, 4-side welded, also it comes with an adjustable Durafirm backrest pad with an ergonomically designed two-position press plate that can fit all-size athletes. So, it makes it easier to focus completely on leg and calf workouts.

Such a construction reduces spinal tension and compression while bringing you a full range of motion in a natural biomechanical movement in the lower body. You can manage the resistance ratio: the tools come with a 1.5:1 weight stack resistance ratio (resistance is one and a half times the weight increment selected).

Its stack configuration is the following: quantity (20) x 15 lb plates with 10 lb top plate/selector stem.

This is another heavy-duty high tensile 11 gauge steel frame leg press machine that brings exceptional durability. The peculiarity of this leg press machine is that it has a detachable calf platform on the foot pedal to bring you more comfort and a deeper position while training calves.

It also comes with durable high-density foam padding. To receive more resistance for toning leg muscles, the machine is equipped with 4 resistance band pegs. It also has 4 weight-loading posts under the pedals that add extra weight, and 6 weight storage pins.

The backrest has 4 adjustment stopper positions to fit your height. The machine also comes with 3 gears of starting leg press heights, so you'll be able to select a more suitable starting height. There are 4 additional safety locks you can select to make you feel most comfortable when stopping your workout.

Our last model of a leg press machine can meet the users’ needs, despite being one of the heaviest tools there. The starting weight to lift is 75 lb and the machine withstands up to 1000 lb.

This item is highly adjustable for athletes of different heights: the shoulder pads are fully adjustable with 12” of shift and 13 positions. The squat range is 36” at the lowest point and up to 79” at a high.

The upper foot platform can be adjusted for 5 various angles ranging from 75 to 135 degrees. While you can adjust the lower foot platform to 5 various angles. Concerning the leg press range, it ranges from 23” at the lowest point and up to 64” at the high point.

Leg Press Machine Alternative We Recommend

This tool attachment differs greatly from the rest of the reviewed items since it's a useful supplement to perform leg presses and other exercises. It can be mounted on the rack and cable machine onto the J-hooks and used for arm press, kickback, dip station, etc., and also can be converted to a push, pull, and drag sled.

This attachment is quite space-saving, so there will be no problem with using it at home by mounting it even onto the bar. It features a wide diamond-pattern footplate for better grip and has adjustable safety stoppers to avoid free swing. Additionally, it’s equipped with UHMW-lined J-hooks.

So, overally, you can use this unique rack-mounted attachment for the following exercises:

• Leg press: securing it on the J-hooks and setting it up at the fitting position and adding weights
• Kickback: by putting on the J-hooks and using safety stoppers to control the range of motion
• Chest press: setting up as for leg press, so you need to sit down for hand curls and press the platform with one or both hands
• Lateral press: place the platform at the chest press level and pull it with one or both hands
• Dip bars: by setting up in the leg press position and mounting the dual-weight sleeves at the desired height, you can strengthen your shoulders, chest, and arms. If you want to add some resistance, hold a dumbbell between your legs
• Push, pull, and drag sled: you can mount the dual-weight sleeves at the fitting height on the upper arms.

Concerning the extra features, the attachment is designed with dual-weight sleeves compatible with the Olympic weight plates. The length of the weight sleeve is 27”, and the diameter is 49 mm. The sleeves can withstand up to eight plates of 45 lb.

The manufacturer advises using the Stealth Leg Press attachment outside the rack, and not pushing it from inside the rack to the outside. Also, it’s recommended to bolt the rack you use to the ground.

What Is a Leg Press Machine?

Squats are one of the most popular and conventional exercises everyone performs at home or the gym. This exercise incorporates the large leg muscles by building general muscle mass.

However, the majority fail to do squatting properly and that’s the moment when a leg press machine comes in handy. It helps both starters in the sports and regular gym attendees to strengthen their leg muscles for more efficient squatting and benefit from the effective leg day workout.

The machine isolates the lower body from the upper body muscles by targeting dominantly the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glute muscles.

Due to this feature, the leg press machine can be useful for people in the rehabilitation period and those with upper-body injuries because it doesn’t bring much pressure on the arms, chest, and back muscles.

Generally, no matter what type of home leg press machine you choose, all of them differ slightly and target the same muscles. The major muscle groups involved in leg press exercise are the quad muscles and the secondary muscles involved are the hamstrings, glutes, and calves.

Although, there’s the opportunity to diversify your workout somehow and target specific leg muscles mostly to choose foot placement position. Such a minor adjustment can influence the impact on the muscles you want to work out more by adding more weights.

• Regular foot placement is the most common position to place your feet on the center of the footplate when your feet are at hip width. This position brings overall strengthening of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes without specific emphasis on particular muscles.
• Low foot placement is when you place your feet down on the platform by encouraging quadriceps.
• High foot position is when you place feet higher on the plate, so you’ll involve hips more and focus on the glutes and hamstrings. However, if you have lower back problems, this foot's position with extra hip extension won’t fit you. But, if you place your feet too high, you’ll unload the quads.
• Wide foot position requires good flexibility, especially in the inner thigh area, by involving the glutes and hamstrings.
• Narrow placement is the best for quads training.

Types of the Leg Press Machines

The key difference between the machines is the direction you push the weight: you can push it horizontally with the seated leg press just parallel to the surface; diagonally with the 45-degree incline; and vertically towards the ceiling.

• A 45-degree leg press machine, also known as an angled or incline one, is the most common and conventional equipment we used to see at the gym. The footplate is placed at 45 degrees and it's possible to adjust a backrest to your height.

• A vertical machine comes with a backrest at a floor level and a foot platform is above it. To perform leg presses you need to lie on the back pad with your back and raise your legs placing them at a 90-degree angle to the footrest.

• Horizontal leg press machines resemble the 45-degree leg press since you're at a straight sitting position with a foot pedal at your trunk height. It's considered to be the easiest way to do leg press exercises. Also, as usual, horizontal machines are equipped with weight pins to switch between the weights, unlike the plate-loaded models.

An advantage of the angled leg press machine is that it enables you to add more weights, making this tool a great option for advanced athletes.

Meanwhile, a horizontal machine offers less functional benefit because you’re training against the resistance on the pulley mechanism, but not gravity. But, this type of machine is more suitable for beginners.

What Are the Benefits of the Leg Press Machine?

Choosing a leg press machine for your leg day workouts will definitely meet your expectations from this type of gym tool and will meet your fitness goals too. Although, you’ll be able to develop not only your legs, but also strengthen your general body functionality. Let’s overview what perks a leg press machine offers its users.

✅ Strengthening the Lower Body Muscles

A leg press machine is a great tool to develop your leg muscles such as quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes. It also activates gastrocnemii and adductor magnus by involving the thighs and hips.

When doing push-off and lifting movements of squatting, the quads are the primary targeting muscles. During the weight return phase, these muscles become stabilizing ones, while the hamstrings are the primary targeting muscles. In general, the leg press machine prevents lower body muscle imbalance.

✅ Injury Prevention

Compared with ordinary squats and deadlifts, using a leg press machine brings less risk of injury due to preserving proper squatting technique and isolating the upper body.

There’s no need to hold any kind of free weights like dumbbells and kettlebells to stretch muscles during the warming-up. You’ll succeed in preventing hamstring pull since a leg press machine will facilitate its flexibility and strength.

✅ Can Be Helpful for Newbies and Athletes in Rehab Period

This machine can assist people who are new to gym workouts to develop their general strength and stamina of the leg muscles. Further, it'll be easier for them to accommodate more advanced training such as squats and deadlifts.

A leg press machine can become a tool for rehab of the back or knees since almost all pressure goes to the glutes and hamstrings.

For newbies in sports, it's a great piece of equipment to learn proper squat form because a leg-pushing machine brings a good basis for such a fundamental exercise. Thus, a leg press machine can be better than working with free weights.

✅ Enhancing Bone Density

It's a well-known fact that weight lifting and resistance training improves bone density. So a leg press machine that refers to weight-bearing equipment brings extra tension and stress on the bones.

Then, because of this, osteoblasts appear and build bone mass significantly. It consequently prevents musculoskeletal issues that occur with age (i.e., osteoporosis).

✅ Promoting General Exercise Performance

With the help of the leg press machine, you'll be able to boost your endurance and stability of the lower body. Having strong leg muscles brings you better balance and stability, as well as changing body position while executing other exercises. For example, such a feature will come in handy in intensive training, i.e. running and jumping.

How to Pick the Best Leg Press Machine?

To buy a high-quality leg press machine that won't get stuck while you're at the bottom of a rep, you should take into account the following features a decent tool should possess.

1. Solid and Durable Frame

A well-designed leg press machine should be sturdy enough to be able to hold the weights you intend to load on it. It doesn't have to wobble while you're exercising, it should be stable and made from solid durable gauge steel.

To be protected from moisture, scratching, and wear-off, the machine can be covered additionally with some protective finish.

2. Adjustable and Comfortable Seat Pads

To get a leg press machine that will perfectly fit your requirements and height, you should check whether it's possible to adjust a seat. There should be a regulatory knob to change its height concerning your personal height and body build.

Also, to perform leg presses easily, check whether the seat is cushioned enough, yet staying firm by bringing you extra comfort and support while pulling the weight. This feature also can maximize the range of motion for users of any level

3. Weight Capacity

Weight load capacity is one of the key aspects you should mind when selecting a home gym leg machine. Although, this factor refers to the weight of the machine itself. The heavier a tool is, the higher the weight capacity will be.

Consequently, if you choose a machine with a higher weight capacity, it's likely that it's a commercial model that is designed for gym usage. If you're searching for a tool for your home gym, the weight capacity may be quite lower since the dimensions of such machines are smaller.

That's why mind this fact and choose the leg press machine that will withstand the weight you will use.

4. Footplate Size

The bigger the foot platform the leg press machine has, the greater amount of foot placement variations you'll have. It's an important feature for beginners: with a wider plate they'll be able to change their legs position and diversify the trading by targeting more specific muscles.

5. Built-in Weight Pegs

When choosing a leg press machine for home that uses plates to add resistance, pay attention to those models that have weight pegs. These elements are useful for storing the weight plates, so it saves your space and can arrange your home gym planning.

6. Safety Stops Availability

Safety stops bring extra security during exercising for you not to injure when you're out of keeping on lifting weights. Some machines come with adjustable locking pins, and several starting and stopping positions.

Additionally, they can have pre-start levers that enable a user to start the exercise from the leg extended position in order to avoid joint strain.

How to Use a Leg Press Machine?

If you’re just starting to work out at the gym, the first thing you should do is to become closer to the equipment you plan to use and know how to set it up correctly to use its full potential. Speaking about a seated leg press machine, it’s the simplest tool to use because the footrest and seat pad are located at one level.

When using the horizontal machine, check whether the setup fits your height and weight range is selected properly. If you want to change it, just put a weight stack at another hole to add or lower the resistance.

When you sit down, you should place your feet on the footrest in front of you, with your knees bent a bit in the starting position. Start pushing your legs forward, but don’t extend them fully to avoid injuries.

Hold the weight for several seconds and return back. Bring your knees back closer to the chest at the initial position, with your back always straight on the backrest. Repeat the needed amount of repetitions.

When training on the 45-degree leg press machine, first you need to load it with the desired weights. You can adjust the backrest for better body positioning and then sit down in the machine in a slight incline position.

You can choose any foot position on the footplate, but the hip-width placement with toes outwards is the most popular. Push the platform away from you by incorporating heels until your legs are almost straight. Bring your knees slowly back to the chest, avoid lower back rounding.

The third type of leg press exercise machine, which is a vertical one, isn't such a widespread tool at gyms. Before starting to train, load it with the plates and adjust the backrest for the maximum comfort and starting position.

Lie down and raise your legs up to make the feet touch the foot pedal above. Place the feet in the hip-width position, release the foot platform, and take the weight onto your feet. Your knees are moving closer to your chest slowly and then pull up the plate back.

Highly flexible exercisers can bring their knees to their chins which brings a fuller range of motion while doing the leg press training.

Alternative Ways to Train Legs

If you want to advance your body condition and strengthen your leg muscles even better, but without using the leg press machine, you can choose other ways to do it, there are plenty of options to choose from.

To receive a firing leg day you can perform conventional squats and their variations, lunges, leg curls, hip thrusts, calf raises, etc., by using other equipment such as climbing stairs, other types of gym machines, bars, kettlebells, and so on to work out your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

To build strong legs you can change exercises regularly for getting more effective outcomes and boost your workout intensity.

1. Single-Leg Curls

This exercise is great for developing the hamstrings. For performing it you need to use a leg curl machine to incorporate both legs to perform the curl or you can use only one leg to return the weight back to the initial point. This exercise isn’t just good for powerful legs, it'll engage your core muscles as well. So, you’ll be able to develop better balance.

2. Leg Extension

This strengthening exercise targets the quadriceps, which you can perform with the help of the leg extension machine. Due to the nature of the exercise, this is an isolated one, so you’ll train quad muscles only.

However, leg extension training has no equal substitution to burning these muscles as it greatly activates the rectus femoris which is a part of the quadriceps group.

3. Back Squats

It’s believed to be a major lower-body exercise that activates every leg muscle. Besides the lower body, it also involves the upper body for better balance and stabilization while lifting the weight.

It’s performed with the help of a barbell and power rack optionally: you need to put a barbell on the power rack at shoulder height, load it with the needed weights, get under the barbell, and place it across the upper traps or shoulder blades.

So, you’ll be able to challenge your quads, hamstrings, and glutes, and involve core muscles by keeping your back straight.

4. Front Squats

Unlike a back squat, a front squat is performed with a bar held in front of the chest. This squat variation places more pressure on the upper body while working out the glutes, hamstrings, and hips.

To perform this exercise you need to have good wrist flexibility to hold the barbell against the top of the chest. This exercise like back squatting increases lower body muscle mass by working primarily the quads, glutes, hips, and hamstrings. Additionally, it helps to strengthen spinal erectors that keep your back straight.

5. Bulgarian Split Squat

Performing the Bulgarian split squats will help you to train all major leg muscles and also activate abdominals and erectors, by improving your general power and endurance without equipment.

All you need is a bench to elevate one leg on it, which assists in increasing the range of motion. This squat variation makes you train your balance by activating small stabilizing muscles in the hips and quadriceps. With a greater range of motion, you’ll succeed to increase the muscles' flexibility and enhance mobility.

FAQ

Are Leg Press Machines Any Good?

Leg press machines are effective to develop strong leg and glute muscles, as well as mitigating the risk of a knee injury. This is also a good option to improve your technique in performing other exercises that involve legs such as deadlifts, squats, lunges, etc., and learning to keep straight back.

While training on the leg press machine, your arms rest and back are supported which makes this tool a fully leg-oriented machine.

Are Leg Presses Better Than Squats?

Generally, both leg press and squat exercises focus on working out the quadriceps dominantly, hamstrings, and glutes. Although, while squatting you'll be able to engage not only leg muscles, but also activate abdominals and hips for better body stabilization.

Thus, doing squats will develop your core and back muscles. Meanwhile, leg press exercise is only more about the lower body. So, considering the score of body involvement, squats are better than leg presses.

What Will Happen if I Do Leg Presses Every Day?

When working out your legs every day, besides developing leg muscles, you'll facilitate bone strength too.

When doing resistance and strength-oriented training, you'll be able to prevent bone cell loss and osteoporosis development. Generally, leg workouts enhance specific hormone release, for instance, testosterone which helps to build muscles and repairs damaged muscle tissues.

A HGH, or human growth hormone is helpful in making muscles stronger and bigger. This improves metabolism and immunity.

Also, with regular leg workouts, you'll be able to generate strength and improve your performance, and daily activity. However, don’t forget to have rest days to make your legs recover since they’re large muscles that require more time for rest.

Conclusion

To sum up, a leg press machine can be an irreplaceable tool for decent leg day training and a powerful addition to your overall and lower-body workout routine. You'll make your quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and other small stabilizers stronger, more toned, and resistant to various tension levels.

Having observed the top 9 leg press machines, we definitely want to offer you our top pick model which is PowerTec Leg Press Machine. This tool features all the needed specs as for the perfect equipment for burning out your lower body without any extra tension to your hips, knees, and joints.

Having a perfect setting, technical characteristics, and weight capacity, this tool will bring you numerous advantages and opportunities for training your legs and improving general aerobic capability.

Hence, if you're a newbie in working out with leg press machines, don't know how to pick a worthy option, and which training plan to apply, don't hesitate to write to us directly. Our reliable sports experts will answer all your queries and give some essential advice on how to challenge your legs beside the leg press machine.

Also read:

• Best Hack Squat Machine
• Types of Leg Press Machines
• Best Leg Extension Machine
• What Muscles Does Leg Press Work
• Hack Squat vs Leg Press

References:

1. Different Foot Positioning During Calf Training to Induce Portion-Specific Gastrocnemius Muscle Hypertrophy // LWW: https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2020/08000/Different_Foot_Positioning_During_Calf_Training_to.30.aspx
2. Analysis of Muscle Activation During Different Leg Press Exercises at Submaximum Effort Levels // LWW:
   https://journals.lww.com /nsca-jscr/Fulltext /2008/07000/ Analysis_of_Muscle_ Activation_During_Different _Leg.5.aspx
3. Comparison Between Back Squat, Romanian Deadlift, and Barbell Hip Thrust for Leg and Hip Muscle Activities During Hip Extension // NIH: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /31356511/
4. Effects of technique variations on knee biomechanics during the squat and leg press // LWW: https://journals.lww.com/ acsm-msse/Fulltext/ 2001/09000/Effects_ of_technique_ variations_on_ knee.20.aspx
5. Biomechanical Differences Between the Bulgarian Split-Squat and Back Squat // NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pmc/articles/ PMC8136570/