10 Best Smith Leg Press Alternatives for Home and Gym

Ranked Smith Leg Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Smith Leg 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.

1. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Smith Hack Squat

   91% match

   • Glutes
   • Smith-machine
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   The same equipment, done standing instead.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the barbell on the smith machine to an appropriate height for your body.
   2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointed outwards.
   3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
   4. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   5. Engage your core and keep your chest up as you unrack the barbell.
   6. Take a step back and position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   7. Bend your knees and lower your body down, keeping your chest up and back straight.
   8. Continue descending until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
   9. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
   10. 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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
2. Play demonstration

   2. Sled 45° Leg Press

   91% match

   • Glutes
   • Sled
   • Beginner
   • Compound

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

   How to perform this exercise

   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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
3. Play demonstration

   3. Smith Sumo Squat

   90% match

   • Glutes
   • Smith-machine
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at hip height.
   2. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing outwards.
   3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper back and shoulders.
   4. 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.
   5. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground, or as low as you can comfortably go.
   6. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your heels to 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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
4. Play demonstration

   4. Sled Hack Squat

   89% match

   • Glutes
   • Sled
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the sled machine to a comfortable position for your height.
   2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform, toes slightly pointed outwards.
   3. Hold onto the handles or bars for stability.
   4. Lower your body by bending your knees and hips, keeping your back straight and chest up.
   5. Continue lowering until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
   6. Pause for a moment, then push through your heels to raise your body back up 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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
5. Play demonstration

   5. Sled Lying Squat

   87% match

   • Glutes
   • Sled
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: lying on your back, not seated
6. Play demonstration

   6. Smith Full Squat

   86% match

   • Glutes
   • Smith-machine
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
7. Play demonstration

   7. Smith Squat

   85% match

   • Glutes
   • Smith-machine
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at an appropriate height for your squat.
   2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
   3. Position yourself under the barbell, resting it on your upper traps and shoulders.
   4. Grip the barbell with a wide grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
   5. Engage your core and unrack the barbell, stepping back to clear the rack.
   6. Keeping your chest up and back straight, initiate the squat by bending at the hips and knees.
   7. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
   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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
8. Play demonstration

   8. Sled Closer Hack Squat

   85% match

   • Glutes
   • Sled
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   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 Smith Leg Press
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: standing, not seated
9. 

   9. Smith Machine Leg Press

   85% match

   • Quadriceps
   • Machine
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Position a Smith machine bar a couple feet off of the ground. Ensure that it is resting on the safeties. After loading the bar to an appropriate weight, lie underneath the bar. Place the middle of your feet on the bar, tucking your knees to your chest. This will be your starting position.
   2. Begin the movement by driving through your feet to move the bar upward, extending the hips and knees. Do not lock out your knees.
   3. At the top of the motion, pause briefly before returning to the starting position.

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

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: quadriceps, not glutes
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Smith Leg Press
10. Play demonstration

    10. Smith Low Bar Squat

    84% match

    • Glutes
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Set up the smith machine with the barbell at a height that allows you to comfortably rest it on your upper back.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned outwards.
    3. Step under the bar and position it across your upper back, resting it on your traps.
    4. Grip the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    5. Unrack the bar by straightening your legs and stepping back from the rack.
    6. Take a deep breath and brace your core.
    7. Initiate the squat by pushing your hips back and bending your knees.
    8. Lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below.
    9. Keep your chest up and your back straight throughout the movement.
    10. Drive through your heels to stand back up, extending your hips and knees.
    11. 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 Smith Leg Press
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Smith Leg Press
    • Body position: standing, not seated