Lying Leg Press
- Primary muscleGlutes
- EquipmentSled Machine
- DifficultyBeginner
- TypeCompound · Knee-dominant
- Secondary muscles
- Quads, Hamstrings, Calves
- Body part
- Upper Legs
- Position
- Lying
- Laterality
- Bilateral (both sides together)
- Category
- Strength
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Lying flat on your back puts the sled directly above you, so your legs press straight up against gravity and the machine feels heavier per plate than a 45-degree press. Range is easy to audit from this position - the carriage comes straight down at you - which keeps depth honest from rep to rep.
How to do the Lying Leg Press
- 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.
Tip: Screw the feet into the floor and spread it apart to keep the knees out and the arch of the foot from collapsing.
Muscles worked
Primary
Glutes · Legs
The glutes extend the hip on the way up and take more of the load the deeper you go and the wider your stance.
Secondary
- Quads — The quads extend the knee and drive you out of the bottom, and front squats and close stance variations put more on them.
- Hamstrings
- Calves
Common mistakes
- Knees caving inward — push the knees out over the toes on the way up, especially out of the bottom where they most want to collapse.
- Hips shooting up first — if the hips rise faster than the chest on the way up, you turn the squat into a good morning; drive the chest and hips up together.
- Cutting the depth — get the hip crease below the top of the knee on every rep unless mobility genuinely stops you, in which case work on it.
- Losing the brace — take a big breath into the belly before each rep and hold it through the sticking point, then exhale on the way up.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 4–5 × 3–6 | 2–3 min |
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 6–12 | 90–120 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 12–20 | 60 s |
Squats go first in a lower body session when you are freshest. Follow them with Romanian deadlifts or leg press, or superset lighter sets with pull-ups to use the same rack.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without sled machine
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Lying Leg Press work?
The Lying Leg Press primarily works the glutes. It also involves the quads, hamstrings and calves, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the Lying Leg Press good for beginners?
Yes. The Lying Leg Press is rated beginner: it uses a sled machine and the movement is simple to learn. Start light, focus on the full range of motion and add load once every rep looks the same.
What can I do instead of the Lying Leg Press?
If you cannot do the Lying Leg Press, try the Curtsy Lunge, the Supported Bodyweight Squat or the Dumbbell Squat. Each of them trains the glutes through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the Lying Leg Press, a sensible starting point is strength: 4–5 × 3–6 with 2–3 min rest; muscle growth: 3–4 × 6–12 with 90–120 s rest; endurance: 2–3 × 12–20 with 60 s rest. Put it early in the session while you are fresh, before isolation work for the same muscles.
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