10 Best Sled 45° Leg Press Alternatives for Gym and Home

The Sled 45° Leg Press is done lying on your back with a sled. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Sled Lying Squat, the Sled 45° Leg Press and the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press.

Sled 45° Leg PressWatch the Sled 45° Leg Press

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do the Sled 45° Leg Press

The steps for the Sled 45° Leg Press itself, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Glutes, with quadriceps, hamstrings, calves · Sled · Intermediate · Compound

  1. Adjust the seat and footplate of the sled machine to a comfortable position.
  2. Sit on the sled machine with your back against the backrest and your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
  3. Grip the handles on the sides of the seat for stability.
  4. Push the footplate away from your body by extending your legs, keeping your heels on the footplate.
  5. Continue pushing until your legs are almost fully extended, but without locking your knees.
  6. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the footplate back towards your body by bending your knees.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

The 10 Best Sled 45° Leg Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Sled 45° Leg Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Sled Lying SquatPlay demonstration

    1. Sled Lying Squat

    99% match

    Glutes · Intermediate · Compound

    It uses the same equipment and still works the glutes.

    • Sled
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight.
    2. Lie on your back on the sled machine with your feet on the footplate.
    3. Position your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly angled outwards.
    4. Grip the handles of the sled machine for stability.
    5. Engage your glutes and core muscles.
    6. Push through your heels and extend your legs to lift the sled.
    7. Lower the sled back down by bending your knees and hips.
    8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
  2. Sled 45° Leg PressPlay demonstration

    2. Sled 45° Leg Press

    96% match

    Glutes · Beginner · Compound

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the glutes.

    • Sled
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the seat of the sled machine so that your knees are at a 45-degree angle.
    2. Sit on the sled machine with your back against the backrest and your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
    3. Grip the handles on the sides of the seat for stability.
    4. Push the footplate away from your body by extending your legs, keeping your heels on the footplate.
    5. Pause for a moment at the fully extended position.
    6. Slowly bend your knees and lower the footplate back towards your body, controlling the movement.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
  4. Sled Closer Hack SquatPlay demonstration

    4. Sled Closer Hack Squat

    91% match

    Glutes · Intermediate · Compound

    The same equipment, done standing instead.

    • Sled
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight and position yourself with your back against the pad.
    2. Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
    3. Grip the handles on the sides of the machine for stability.
    4. Engage your core and slowly lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight.
    5. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to extend your legs and return to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back
  5. Smith Full SquatPlay demonstration

    5. Smith Full Squat

    87% match

    Glutes · Intermediate · Compound

    A good swap when you have a Smith machine to work with, and it still works the glutes.

    • Smith-machine
    How to perform it
    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at shoulder height.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
    3. Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting on your traps.
    4. Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Unrack the bar and take a step back, maintaining a stable stance.
    6. Keeping your chest up and core engaged, initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    7. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as your flexibility allows.
    8. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
    9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: glutes, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Press
    • Body position: standing, not lying on your back

Sled 45° Leg Press FAQ

What muscles does Sled 45° Leg Press work?

The sled 45° leg press primarily targets the gluteus maximus and quadriceps through combined hip and knee extension. Secondary muscles include the hamstrings and adductors for stabilization and the calves during terminal extension.

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