The legs contain some of the body’s largest muscles, and they’re essential for movement. That’s why it’s important to train them with compound exercises like squats, deadlifts and hip thrusts first, but it’s also a good idea to add some leg machines to your routine for added volume, as they allow you to isolate and focus on specific muscle groups.
But not all leg machines are created equal. Some are best for beginners, while others require a spotter and can be used to train heavy weights, which requires more advanced knowledge and technique. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of The Best Leg Exercise Machines to help you find the best fit for your training goals, whether you’re looking for a beginner-friendly machine or one that can be used to train heavy.
The Leg Press Machine
Leg presses are the most common leg machine found at a gym, and there are many different variations of this leg exercise that target various muscle groups and movement patterns. For example, you can use a vertical leg press, horizontal leg press or 45 degree leg press to target different muscle groups and improve ankle stability.
Another great benefit of the leg press is that it can be used for unilateral training, which means you can train one side at a time, which is ideal for people with limited mobility or injuries in the knees or lower back.
The Leg Curl Machine
The leg curl is a classic, and it’s usually the first leg machine that people try when they start going to the gym. It’s a good choice for beginners because it has a very short learning curve. You just need to sit in the seat, tuck your feet underneath the foot pads and adjust the weights before you can begin performing reps.
When used correctly, this machine can be extremely effective at building hamstring strength and improving overall lower body mobility and power. However, it’s important to remember that it can be quite taxing on the calf muscles as well. To avoid putting unnecessary stress on your calf muscles, make sure to pair it with some lower body mobility work such as toe touches and wall stretches.
Some people may prefer to train their quads with a seated quad machine because it can be difficult to perform exercises such as dumbbell lunges at the same time as working the quads with free weights. If you don’t have the space to dedicate an entire machine to your quads, you can also train them with other exercises that require free weights such as hack squats or front squats.
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