10 Best Sled 45° Leg Wide Press Alternatives for Glute Training
The Sled 45° Leg Wide Press is done lying on your back with a sled. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Sled 45° Leg Press, the Sled Lying Squat and the Smith Full Squat.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Primary muscle
- Glutes
- Equipment
- Sled
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Calves
How to perform Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Adjust the sled machine to a 45-degree angle.
- Sit on the sled machine with your back against the pad and your feet on the foot platform.
- Position your feet wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Push against the foot platform to extend your legs and straighten your knees.
- Pause for a moment at the end of the movement, then slowly bend your knees to return to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Sled 45° Leg Wide Press Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.
Best match 1. Sled 45° Leg Press
91% match- Glutes
- Sled
- Intermediate
- Compound
It uses the same equipment and still works the glutes.
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the seat and footplate of the sled machine to a comfortable position.
- Sit on the sled machine with your back against the backrest and your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
- Grip the handles on the sides of the seat for stability.
- Push the footplate away from your body by extending your legs, keeping your heels on the footplate.
- Continue pushing until your legs are almost fully extended, but without locking your knees.
- Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower the footplate back towards your body by bending your knees.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
2. Sled Lying Squat
91% match- Glutes
- Sled
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight.
- Lie on your back on the sled machine with your feet on the footplate.
- Position your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly angled outwards.
- Grip the handles of the sled machine for stability.
- Engage your glutes and core muscles.
- Push through your heels and extend your legs to lift the sled.
- Lower the sled back down by bending your knees and hips.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: lying on your back, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
3. Smith Full Squat
84% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
A good swap when you have a Smith machine to work with, and it still works the glutes.
How to perform this exercise
- Set up the smith machine with the barbell at shoulder height.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
- Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting on your traps.
- Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Unrack the bar and take a step back, maintaining a stable stance.
- Keeping your chest up and core engaged, initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
- Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as your flexibility allows.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
4. Smith Low Bar Squat
84% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up the smith machine with the barbell at a height that allows you to comfortably rest it on your upper back.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned outwards.
- Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting it on your traps.
- Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Unrack the bar by straightening your legs and stepping back from the rack.
- Take a deep breath and brace your core.
- Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
- Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
- Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
5. Smith Squat
84% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up the smith machine with the barbell at an appropriate height for your squat.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
- Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
- Grip the barbell with a wide grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Engage your core and unrack the barbell, stepping back to clear the rack.
- Keeping your chest up and back straight, initiate the squat by bending at the hips and knees.
- Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
6. Smith Sumo Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up the smith machine with the barbell at hip height.
- Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing outwards.
- Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper back and shoulders.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you lower your body down into a squat position, pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
- Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
7. Smith Hack Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the barbell on the smith machine to an appropriate height for your body.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointed outwards.
- Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
- Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Engage your core and keep your chest up as you unrack the barbell.
- Take a step back and position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees and lower your body down, keeping your chest up and back straight.
- Continue descending until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
8. Sled Closer Hack Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Sled
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable weight and position yourself with your back against the pad.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
- Grip the handles on the sides of the machine for stability.
- Engage your core and slowly lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to extend your legs and return to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
9. Sled Hack Squat
82% match- Glutes
- Sled
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable position for your height.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
- Hold onto the handles or bars for stability.
- Lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight and chest up.
- Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
- Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to raise your body back up to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: standing, not lying on your back
10. Smith Leg Press
82% match- Glutes
- Smith-machine
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the seat and footplate of the smith machine to a comfortable position.
- Sit on the machine with your back against the backrest and your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
- Grasp the handles or sides of the machine for stability.
- Push the footplate away from you by extending your legs, keeping your back against the backrest.
- Pause for a moment at the fully extended position.
- Slowly bend your knees and lower the footplate back towards you, returning to the starting position.
- 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 Wide Press
- Equipment: a machine, the same as the Sled 45° Leg Wide Press
- Body position: seated, not lying on your back
Sled 45° Leg Wide Press FAQ
What muscles does Sled 45° Leg Wide Press work?
The Sled 45° Leg Wide Press targets the glutes primarily, with secondary engagement from the quads, hamstrings, and adductors. Biomechanically it emphasizes hip extension and wide-stance torque, increasing glute and adductor activation versus a narrow press.
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