PlanWorkouts

Exercise 0760 · REF 7zdxRTl

Smith Leg Press exercise animation

Smith Leg Press

Category
Upper Legs
Equipment
Smith Machine
Target
Glutes

This uses the Smith machine to mimic a leg press pattern, standing against a wall or platform with the bar loaded across the shoulders in a squat-adjacent setup rather than a dedicated sled. It's an improvised alternative when a real leg press machine isn't available. The fixed vertical bar path still removes balance demand the way any Smith exercise does.

How to Do the Smith Leg Press

  1. Adjust the seat and footplate of the smith machine to a comfortable position.
  2. Sit on the machine with your back against the backrest and your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
  3. Grasp the handles or sides of the machine for stability.
  4. Push the footplate away from you by extending your legs, keeping your back against the backrest.
  5. Pause for a moment at the fully extended position.
  6. Slowly bend your knees and lower the footplate back towards you, returning to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Muscles Worked

The Smith Leg Press primarily targets the Glutes, with Quadriceps as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Hamstrings, Calves.

More Upper Legs Exercises

All Fours Squad Stretch All Fours Squad Stretch Body Weight · Quads Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch (male) Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch (male) Body Weight · Glutes Assisted Lying Glutes Stretch Assisted Lying Glutes Stretch Assisted · Glutes Assisted Lying Gluteus And Piriformis Stretch Assisted Lying Gluteus And Piriformis Stretch Assisted · Glutes Assisted Prone Hamstring Assisted Prone Hamstring Assisted · Hamstrings Assisted Prone Lying Quads Stretch Assisted Prone Lying Quads Stretch Assisted · Quads

More Glutes Exercises

Band Bent-Over Hip Extension Band Bent-Over Hip Extension Band · Glutes Band Hip Lift Band Hip Lift Band · Glutes Band Lying Hip Internal Rotation Band Lying Hip Internal Rotation Band · Glutes Band Pull Through Band Pull Through Band · Glutes Band Seated Hip Internal Rotation Band Seated Hip Internal Rotation Band · Glutes Band Squat Band Squat Band · Glutes

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have smith machine? These target the same glutes with different equipment.

Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch (male) Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch (male) Body Weight · Glutes Assisted Lying Glutes Stretch Assisted Lying Glutes Stretch Assisted · Glutes Band Bent-Over Hip Extension Band Bent-Over Hip Extension Band · Glutes Barbell Clean-Grip Front Squat Barbell Clean-Grip Front Squat Barbell · Glutes

FAQ

What muscles does the Smith Leg Press work?
The Smith Leg Press primarily targets the glutes, with the quadriceps and hamstrings, calves assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Smith Leg Press?
The Smith Leg Press is done with a smith machine.
What's a good alternative to the Smith Leg Press?
If you don't have access to a smith machine, the Arms Apart Circular Toe Touch (male) targets the same glutes using body weight instead.