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Single-Leg Leg Press

A machine leg press performed one leg at a time, letting you train quads and glutes unilaterally with heavy, stable loading and no balance demand.

LegsMachineSingle-leg press
GoLightWeight mediasingle-leg-leg-press

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

QuadricepsGluteus maximus

Secondary

HamstringsAdductorsCalves

Equipment

Machine

Pattern

Single-leg press

Setup

  1. 01Sit in the leg press with your back and hips flat against the pads.
  2. 02Place one foot on the platform in line with your hip, mid-platform height.
  3. 03Rest the free foot on the floor or frame, clear of the platform.
  4. 04Grip the handles and brace before releasing the safeties.

Execution

  1. 01Press the platform out to a soft knee, not a slammed lockout.
  2. 02Lower under control until the knee approaches the chest.
  3. 03Stop before the hip or low back rolls off the pad.
  4. 04Drive through the whole foot back to the start.

Checkpoints

  • -Hips and low back stay flat on the pad through the whole rep.
  • -The knee tracks in line with the foot, not caving inward.
  • -Depth is consistent from rep to rep.
  • -The free leg stays relaxed and does not assist.

Common mistakes

  • -Loading it like the two-leg press and cutting depth.
  • -Letting the pelvis tuck under at the bottom.
  • -Slamming into knee lockout at the top.
  • -Pushing through the toes with the heel lifting.

Programming notes

  • -Use 2 to 4 sets of 8 to 15 reps per side, starting with the weaker leg.
  • -Roughly 40 to 60 percent of your two-leg press load is a sensible start.
  • -Good as a second or third movement after a bilateral squat pattern.

Related exercises

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