If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out best leg press machine which gives you the best results, then I’d recommend the Body-Solid GLPH1100 Leg Press and Hack Squat Machine as the best one.
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When I workout, I want to exercise as many muscles as possible to see maximum results. A leg press machine can give your leg muscles a complete workout. With two types to choose from, the incline press machine, and the horizontal cable press leg machine, you can build and maintain strong leg muscles in very little time.
Pros and Cons of an Incline Press Machine
When working out on an incline press machine, you must sit on a low seat on a raised platform and work against gravity as you lift and lower the weights with your legs. This machine allows you to add a lot of weight if you choose.
Since your body position remains underneath the weight load, you could injure your spine if you don’t use the machine properly. Also, you will need to get up frequently to add or remove weights.
Pros and Cons of a Horizontal Cable Press Leg Machine
A horizontal cable press leg machine relies on resistance rather than going against gravity to give you a great workout. Your body position remains level with the weights so you won’t risk injuring your spine.
You won’t be able to add as much weight as you could on an incline press machine, but you can adjust the weight much faster.
Reasons to Use a Leg Press Machine
For beginners, I believe a leg press machine provides a relatively safe way to build strong leg muscles. You won’t need a spotter to use either the incline leg press or the horizontal leg press. And since these presses don’t have a lot of moving parts, they’re easy to use.
If you have an upper-body injury, a leg press machine allows you to get a lower body workout without causing further injury.
You can perform a variety of leg exercises on either of these leg press machines. You can adjust the weight load, adjust the seat or the platform to experiment with new angles. You can also perform single-leg exercises if one leg is a little weaker than the other.
Change your stance by adjusting your feet closer or wider apart to target specific leg muscle groups. Place your feet higher on the platform to target gluteal muscles and hamstrings. Place your feet lower to target your quadriceps.
Health Benefits of a Leg Press Machine
Over the years I’ve learned that In addition to helping build stronger leg muscles, leg press machines also helps promote two essential health benefits:
- Better balance – Strong leg muscles help keep you upright and moving throughout the day. Good balance helps prevent injury and can make you feel more secure in your body. As you age, balance can diminish. By keeping your leg muscles strong, you can maintain good balance as you age.
- Increased bone strength – weight-bearing exercises help build bone strength. Strong bones help support muscle and help prevent injury.
How to Use a Leg Press Machine
Select the weight load you want to use, and sit down on the machine. Align your head and shoulders against the seat and pads to maintain stability and comfort when lifting the weight.
Keep your core tight as you lift and lower the weights. Slowly extend your legs to begin lifting. Try to maintain a consistent pace when lifting and lowering the weights.
Perform enough reps to cause fatigue, but not exhaustion. Adjust the plates to increase or decrease your weight load to complete a few more sets.
Avoid These Leg Machine Mistakes
Avoiding these common mistakes can make your leg press workout safer and more effective.
- Don’t arch your back – try to keep your back as flat as possible when lifting and lowering the weights. A flat back helps prevent injury by taking pressure off of your spine. Let your legs do the work to get the maximum benefits.
- Don’t use your hands – keep your hands at your sides when working out. If you need to place your hands on your thighs to help your legs out during a heavy lift, consider lowering the weight load until your legs become strong enough to perform the move without help.
- Keep your butt on the seat – lifting your butt off the seat when using a leg press machine can cause injury to your knees. If you need to lift your butt, you should decrease the weight load.
- Don’t lock up your knees – to lift the weight, you need to fully extend your legs. Avoid locking your knees during this extension as you could cause knee injury. Instead, keep your knees loose during the extension.
What to Look for in a Leg Press Machine
When looking for a leg press machine for your home gym, I recommend that you look for models suited for smaller spaces.
Choose a leg press machine that allows you to reach the weight load capacity you need to complete an effective workout.
Make sure the machine has quality padding for your head, back, and shoulder.
Most leg press machines require you to purchase weight plates separately. This allows you to choose the exact amount of weight you want.
Top 5 Leg Press Machines
Read on to learn more about the other great leg press machines I recommend.
Body-Solid GLPH1100 Leg Press and Hack Squat Machine
The Body-Solid GLPH1100 Leg Press and Hack Squat Machine features a quad track roller system that distributes weight evenly. This machine allows you to work your calves, quads, and gluteal muscles for a comprehensive workout. With three lockout positions, this leg press machine allows you to select various start and stop positions while helping to keep you safe.
Featuring a 2-inch by 4-inch gauge steel frame, this machine helps reduce torsional flex so you can get the most from your workouts.
Weight plates are sold separately.
I like this machine because it’s easy to use and gets the work done!
Unit Dimensions: 83 inches long by 34 inches wide by 56 inches high
Weight capacity: up to 1,000 pounds
Body-Solid LVLP Leverage Horizontal Leg Press
The Body-Solid LVLP Leverage Horizontal Leg Press, constructed from heavy-duty steel, has a powder coat finish to protect it from sweat or water damage. The adjustable backrest allows you to maintain proper body alignment when working out. The direct drive press system delivers effective and accurate weight resistance.
Additional Features:
- Padded double-stitched upholstered seat and backrest
- Pivoting footplate helps you maintain proper foot positions; allows for varied foot positions.
Unit measures: 89 inches long by 57 inches wide by 52 inches high
Unit weighs: 525 pounds
Olympic weight plates are sold separately.
Plateload Leg Press by BSN Sports
The Plateload Leg Press by BSN Sports features quality smooth pillow block bearings so you can achieve full range of motion. This machine, made of heavy wall steel tubing, provides stability during your workout so you can focus on strengthening leg muscles and glutes.
For optimal comfort during your workout, the padded seat and backrest feature 2.5 inches of high-density foam covered in marine-grade vinyl.
Additional features:
- Weight capacity: 1,200 pounds
- Includes two-weight storage horns (with protective sleeves)
- Rubber bump stops to reduce noise
Weights and plates for this leg press machine are sold separately.
Unit measures: 84 inches long by 32 inches wide by 59 inches high
Unit weight: 480 pounds
TDS Vertical Premier Leg Press Machine
The TDS Vertical Premier Leg Press Machine helps you build stronger hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes. Use this machine to perform calf raises. The heavy-duty steel tube construction provides a stable platform for your leg muscle workouts.
The large backrest features 3-inch thick padding for added comfort and back support. The press, mounted on eight heavy-duty rollers, ensures a consistently smooth up and down motion.
Additional features:
Extra-wide foot plate for varied foot positions
Heavy-duty stoppers for adequate noise reduction
Unit measures: 49 inches wide by 47 inches deep by 75 inches high
Unit weight: 200 pounds
Body-Solid ProClubLine Leg Press Machine
The Body-Solid ProClubLine Leg Press Machine allows you to engage a full range of motion without putting extra pressure on your spine. The frame, made from 2-inch by 4-inch high tensile strength steel, has four welded sides for stability and durability. The sealed and pillow block bearings keep this machine in perfect alignment for a smooth, friction-free workout.
Additional features:
- DualFirm backrest and seat
- Two-position press plate that allows for a wide range of weights
- 210-pound weight stack
Weight plates sold separately.
Unit measures: 75 inches long by 32 inches wide by 72 inches high
Unit weight: 555 pounds
Conclusion
When using a leg press machine, make sure you maintain good form to get the most from your workout and prevent injury. Adding a leg press machine to your home gym provides you with many workout options to help build strong muscles, strong bones, and better balance.
