The Best Leg Press Machines – Introduction
Ask any group of fitness experts what the best leg exercise is, and most will tell you it’s squats.
After all, they’re often called the King of Exercises!
However, while squats undoubtedly deserve their royal title, they’re not the only exercise you can use to develop leg strength, and, for some people, they’re either impractical or impossible.
Leg presses are another excellent option for lower body training.
In this guide, we reveal the best leg press machines for home use and answer the most common questions about this popular lower body workout tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Consider the following FAQs before you buy a leg press machine for your home gym.
1. Why use a leg press machine?
There are several reasons that make buying a leg press is a good idea, including:
Variety
While we LOVE squats, doing the same old exercise over and over can become boring.
Having a leg press machine means you can include more variety in your workouts, which may enhance your progress.
As an accessory exercise
During squats, your lower back may fatigue before your legs, bringing your workout to a premature end.
Leg presses allow you to work your lower body without lower back fatigue being a limiting factor.
Ease of learning
Leg presses are very easy to learn.
If you are a beginner and have no one to teach you how to squat properly, leg presses may be a more suitable option.
Safety features
Squatting to failure can be dangerous, especially if you don’t have a power rack with adjustable safety bars.
With leg presses, you can train to failure and then just flip the safety catches in so you don’t get pinned under a heavy amount of weight.
Single leg training
While you can do one-legged squats or pistols, doing so means lifting your whole body weight on just one leg.
With leg presses, you can do single leg training with much less weight.
Improve your deadlift
Thinking ‘leg press’ when deadlifting is an important cue to help you concentrate on pushing against the ground to initiate the lift, instead of trying to lift the weight from the floor with your arms or back.
As such, a leg press machine can help a deadlift beginner learn to focus on and build strength for the first part of the lift up to your knees.
2. Are leg presses as good as squats?
While leg presses and squats use many of the same leg muscles, the way they’re used is quite different.
With squats, you plant your feet on the floor and lift and lower your body.
On the other hand, with leg presses, your upper body stays still while your legs move.
Also, leg presses are done in a seated position or lying, while squats are done standing.
Long story short, leg presses are less functional than squats and use fewer muscles.
That said, leg presses are still a great way to develop your lower body muscles.
3. Are there different types of leg press machines?
There are three main types of leg press machines, and we’ve included our top picks for the best leg press machine for each category in this review:
Vertical leg press machine
With this type of leg press, you lie flat on your back and push the weight straight up.
While this is an old-school design, vertical leg presses are usually light, compact, and budget-friendly.
Incline leg press
These machines are usually set at a 45-degree angle.
They’re comfortable to use and the type of leg press you’ll find in most commercial gyms.
On the downside, they tend to be big and heavy, and, because of the angle, most people can use quite a lot of weight, so you’ll need a good supply of Olympic plates.
Horizontal leg press
With this type of leg press, you push your legs straight out in front of you.
They’re very comfortable to use, but most horizontal leg press machines use cables and weight stacks for resistance.
This makes them heavy and also means that, if you get very strong, they may not provide enough resistance for your workout.
Leg press hack squat machine combos
Some leg press machines allow you to use them for hack squats too.
This may be useful if you want to add even more variety to your workouts.
However, this type of machine is usually quite big, so make sure you’ve got enough space.
4. Is the leg press bad for you?
Like any exercise, there are risks to using a leg press machine.
If you descend too far, you increase the stress on your knees and lower back, which could lead to injury.
Also, because you feel safe and secure doing leg presses, you may be tempted to use more weight than you should, further increasing your risk of injury.
However, used sensibly and according to the manufacturer’s instructions, leg presses should be no more dangerous than any other exercise.
They may even be safer than free weights squats for some users.
The 5 Best Leg Press Machines
Here are five of the best leg press machines, all tried and tested just for you!
1. Body-Solid GLPH1100 Leg Press and Hack Squat Machine
- DESIGN: Quad track roller system operates smoothly and distributes...
- FEATURES: Back pads utilize a quick flip-and-lock mechanism
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Heavy-duty 2 in x 4 in 11 gauge steel mainframe...
Body-Solid makes some of the best heavy-duty home exercise equipment around.
Built to last, their products aren’t always the cheapest but should provide many years of reliable use.
This incline leg press features a hack squat function, making it a great workout twofer!
Key Features
- Heavy-duty solid steel frame
- Smooth quad track roller system
- 1000 lbs weight capacity
- Dual function leg press and hack squat
- Non-slip crosshatch footplate
- Extra thick contorted seat, back and shoulder pads for comfort
This is a serious leg press for serious workouts! The 1000 lbs weight capacity means it’s suitable for even the strongest lifter.
Pros
- Made to last
- Ideal for advanced exercisers
- Two leg press exercises in one
- Huge weight capacity
Cons
- Large, heavy machine
- Expensive
The Body-Solid Leg Press and Hack Squat Machine is a professional high-quality leg press machine made for use in the comfort of your own home.
It IS expensive, but if you want a leg press machine that’s every bit as good as the one at your local gym, this is the one for you.
2. TDS Premier Vertical Leg Press
Vertical leg press machines are decidedly old-school, but they’re usually cheaper, lighter, and more compact than inclined leg presses.
This vertical leg press from TDS is very heavy-duty, but buying it won’t break the bank.
Key Features
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Angled, padded backrest for comfort
- Extra-wide footplate
- Eight rollers for smooth, quiet workouts
- 1000 lbs weight capacity
- Easy to engage safety mechanism
The main drawback of vertical leg presses is that there is a tendency to round your lower back if you descend too far, especially if you have tight hamstrings.
However, used properly, this is a cost-effective and space-efficient alternative to an incline leg press.
Pros
- Well-priced
- Compact design
- High weight capacity
- Easy to use
- Built to last
Cons
- Increased risk of back strain for some users
Before incline leg presses became popular, vertical leg presses were all that was available.
This machine is a bit of a throw-back to the golden era of bodybuilding, but if you want a cost-effective leg workout that won’t take up too much space, the TDS Premier Vertical Leg Press could be the machine to choose.
3. Body-Solid ProClubLine Leg Press Machine with 210-Pound Weight Stack
- Leg press machine for home is designed to help you efficiently perform...
- Sophisticated pillow block and sealed ball-bearings provide precise...
- Durable steel mainframe with adjustable DuraFirm back pad and 2...
This horizontal leg press machine has a built-in weight stack so you can quickly change weights during your workout.
With its upright seat and wide footplate, this is a very comfortable leg press, but the 210 lbs weight stack may not be enough for some users.
Key Features
- Back-friendly design
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- Built-in selectorized 210 lbs weight stack with selector pin
- Adjustable padded backrest
- Large crosshatch footplate
- Cable-driven for smooth, quiet workouts
This leg press machine is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to have to load and unload their machine each time they work out.
Just remove and reinsert the pin to change the resistance.
On the downside, 210 lbs might not be enough weight for some exercisers, and there is no way to add more weight if you outgrow this machine.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Back-friendly design
- No extra weights required
Cons
- There might not be enough weight for some users
- Heavy
- Quite expensive
This is a great leg press for fitness fanatics, but the weight stack is probably too light for advanced bodybuilders and powerlifters.
However, The ProClubLine is a very comfortable and easy-to-use leg press machine.
4. POWERTEC Compact Leg Sled
- One of the most compact and smoothest leg press machines in half the...
- The Sled is riding on 8 nylon, sealed bearing wheels that provide an...
- The seat and adjustable back pad, along with the adjustable angle foot...
This is one of the most compact leg press machines around.
If you are short on space but still want to add a leg press to your home gym, this unique product is the one for you!
Also, like squats, your body makes up part of the weight lifted, so you may not need to buy so many Olympic weight plates.
Key Features
- Compact design
- Heavy-duty frame
- Eight rollers for smooth, quiet workouts
- Adjustable non-slip footrest
- Easy to reach safety catch
- 700 lbs weight capacity
The POWERTEC Compact Leg Sled lives up to its name. With its 700 lbs weight capacity (plus your body weight), it’s ideal for all levels of exerciser, from beginner to advanced.
This machine is easy to use, well-priced and should fit even the smallest of home gyms.
Pros
- Easy to use
- High weight capacity
- Built to last
- Unique design
Cons
- A slightly unusual movement which may take some getting used to
If you want a small leg press but don’t like the vertical design, this model could be just what you are looking for.
But, don’t let the small size fool you; this Compact Leg Sled will deliver an effective workout even for experienced exercisers.
5. POWERTEC Leg Press
- Most compact vertical leg press on the market
- Heavy duty – with four weight horns capable of up to 1, 000 lbs....
- New for 2019 – Stainless steel weight horns, improved padding...
Of all the different types of leg press available, incline leg presses are arguably the best.
They usually have the largest weight capacity, tend to be the most comfortable, and, especially compared to vertical peg presses, tend to be the most back-friendly.
On the downside, they’re usually pretty big!
This leg press from POWERTEC is one of the most compact incline leg presses available.
Key Features
- Heavy-duty steel frame
- 1000 lbs weight capacity
- Adjustable padded backrest
- Large non-slip footplate
- Four stainless steel plate holders
- Easy to engage weight catchers
This incline leg press is very heavy duty but surprisingly compact. With its 1000 lbs weight capacity, it’s ideal for even the strongest exerciser.
But, despite this, it’s reasonably well-priced and won’t take up your entire home gym.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Built to last
- Ideal for smaller gyms
- Suitable for all levels of exerciser
- High weight capacity
Cons
- Weights can only be loaded when the carriage is lowered
- Not the cheapest leg press on review
If you want an incline leg press but are short on space, this machine is a great choice.
It’s not overly tall or long, yet it manages to deliver a full-sized leg workout. It’s not the cheapest leg press, but nor it is the most expensive.
Built to last, the POWERTEC Fitness Leg Press should provide many years of faithful service.
How to Properly Leg Press | 3 Leg Press Variations for Muscle Gain
Best Leg Press Machines – Wrapping Up
Buying a leg press machine is a big commitment.
After all, there is a significant cost involved, and even the most compact leg press takes up a lot of floor space.
A leg press machine is a purchase that you’re going to have to live with for years to come.
That said, buying a leg press could actually save you money in the long run. You won’t need to join a gym or commute to work out, and after a couple of years, you’ll recoup your investment.
There are several different leg press designs to consider, but each one is an excellent alternative for or addition to squats.
Use any of these leg press machines to build the lower body of your dreams!
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Rich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), an