Seated Leg Press
Learn how to perform Seated Leg Press, a Legs exercise, with setup, breathing and common mistakes.
Seated Leg Press · Preview
Setup
Sit deep in the seat with your back firmly against the pad, and place your feet securely on the platform. Because of the seated angle, your pelvis may tuck under, so brace your abs first.
Start phase
Press through your whole foot to straighten your legs. Stop before your knees fully lock out, and let your ankles, knees, and hips extend together.
End phase
Lower back down slowly while resisting the load. At the bottom, only go as deep as you can without your hips lifting off the seat.
Target muscles
Make sure your thighs and glutes are driving steadily. The seat holds you more firmly than a standard leg press, so controlled lowering and depth management are key.
Common mistakes
If the weight makes your pelvis tuck at the bottom, your lower back takes the stress immediately. Even if you reduce your depth, prioritize staying against the seat and keeping your knees tracking correctly.
Breathing
Exhale as you press and inhale as you return. If you keep breathing at the bottom, your lower back and pelvis stay more stable.
Coach tip
A small change in foot position can change the feel dramatically, so find the most comfortable spot in your first set. The same principle applies to a single-leg seated press: keeping your pelvis fixed is the priority.
