Smith Leg Press
Step by step
How to perform
- Unrack the bar by pushing up and twisting the bar to release the safety hooks.
- Lower your body by bending at the knees while keeping your back straight, until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
- Push back up using your heels, extending your legs fully but without locking your knees.
- Re-rack the bar by twisting it back into the safety hooks, completing one repetition of the Smith Leg Press.
Overview
About this exercise
The Smith Leg Press is a lower body strength exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings, while also engaging the calves and core. It is suitable for both beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts as it can be easily adjusted to match individual strength levels and goals. People would want to do this exercise because it helps to improve lower body strength, enhance muscle definition, promote better balance and stability, and aid in performing daily activities more efficiently.
Coaching cues
Form tips
Your feet should be hip-width apart and in the middle of the footplate. Avoid placing your feet too high or too low on the platform as it can strain your knees or limit your range of motion.
Lower the weight slowly and controlled, stop just before your knees reach a 90-degree angle. Avoid letting the weight drop quickly or bouncing at the bottom, as this can cause injury.
Throughout the exercise, maintain contact between your back and the pad. A common mistake is to arch your back, which can lead to lower back injuries.
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