10 Best Leg Press Machines in 2023

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 – Vertical leg press machine
7. BodySolid SLP500G-3 – Best Horizontal
8. Syedee Leg Press Machine
9. Bodycraft Linear Leg Press Machine
10. Titan Stealth Leg Press – Best Rack-Mounted Attachment

• Item dimensions:79” L x 36.6” W x 54” H 
• Item weight: 258 lb
• Weight capacity: 1000 lb
• Seat: 4-point adjustable seat
• Weight loaded type: 2” plate loaded
• Type: angled
• Footplate dimensions: 29” x 22”
• Color: black
• Warranty: 5 years on moving frame (excludes surface finish), limited lifetime warranty on the frame (excludes surface finish), 1 year on pads, grips, and any other wear/tear parts, 2 years on parts (bearings, spring pins, and hardware)

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.

• Item dimensions: 83” L x 42” W x 60” H
• Item weight: 360 lb
• Weight capacity: 2000 lb
• Seat: adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: angled
• Angle: 45 degrees
• Footplate dimensions: 25.6” x 20”
• Color: black
• Warranty: 1-year warranty

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.

• Item dimensions: 95" L x 32" W x 60" H
• Item weight: 360 lb
• Weight capacity: 1000 lb
• Seat: not adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: angled
• Angle: 45 degrees
• Footplate dimensions: 39" W (for squats), 22.8" W (for leg press)
• Color: black
• Warranty: 180 days from the date of the purchase

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.

• Item dimensions: 83” L x 34” W x 56” H
• Item weight: 325 lb
• Weight capacity: 1000 lb
• Seat: not adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: angled
• Footplate dimensions: 24” W
  
• Color: grey
• Warranty: 1-year warranty for all parts

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.

• Item dimensions: 67” L x 47” W x 46.5” H
• Item weight: 229 lb
• Weight capacity: 1000 lb
• Seat: adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: horizontal
• Footplate dimensions: 19” L x 23.5” W
  
• Color: black
• Warranty: lifetime warranty for the frame and all parts (in-home usage); lifetime warranty for the frame and welds, 3 years for pulleys, bushings, bearings, hardware, guide rods, and 1 year for upholstery and grips (for commercial usage)

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.

• Item dimensions: 38” L x 48” W x 52.5” H
• Item weight: 94 lb
• Weight capacity: 400 lb
• Seat: not adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: vertical
• Angle: 90 degrees
• Foot deck angle: 90 degrees
• Footplate dimensions: 48” x 38”
  
• Color: black
• Warranty: 1 year

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.

• Item dimensions: 40" L x 80" W x 72" H
• Item weight: 555 lb
• Weight capacity: no information
• Seat: adjustable
• Weight loaded type: pin loaded
• Type: horizontal
• Angle: 90 degrees
• Foot deck angle: 90 degrees
• Footplate dimensions: 48” x 38”
  
• Color: black
• Warranty: lifetime warranty for in-home usage; lifetime warranty on frames, welds, weight plates & guide rods, 3 years on pulleys, bushing, bearings & hardware, 1 year on cables, upholstery, grips, and all other components (for commercial usage)

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.

• Item dimensions: 94.5” L x 29.7” W x 58.3” H
• Item weight: 300 lb
• Weight capacity: 1500 lb
• Seat: adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: angled
• Angle: 45 degrees
• Foot deck angle: 90 degrees
• Footplate dimensions: no information
  
• Color: black & red
• Warranty: 8 months for the frame

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.

• Item dimensions: 82.5″ L x 41″ W x 50.2~59.4″ H
• Item weight: 411 lb
• Weight capacity: 1000 lb
• Seat: not adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: angled, horizontal
• Foot deck angle: 75-135 degrees
  
• Footplate dimensions: no information
  
• Color: diamond, grey
• Warranty: residential - lifetime warranty for the frame and parts. Light commercial: 10 years for the frame, 2 years for parts, 6 months for wear items.

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.

• Item dimensions: 32” L x 13” 36.5” W x H
• Item weight: 123 lb
• Weight capacity: 500 lb
• Seat: not adjustable
• Weight loaded type: plate loaded
• Type: horizontal
• Footplate dimensions: 32” x 15.25”
  
• Color: grey
• Warranty: 1 year

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• 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
• 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
• 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/
• 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
• Biomechanical Differences Between the Bulgarian Split-Squat and Back Squat // NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pmc/articles/ PMC8136570/