Leg Press Incline

Purpose of the exercise

Compound strength exercise for quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and calves, with minimal stress on the lower back. Improves strength, muscle mass and load capacity of the lower body. Great for strength building, rehabilitation and supplementary training alongside free exercises such as squats and deadlifts.

Supplies

• Incline leg press machine

• Flat and stable setup

• Correctly adjusted seat and resistance

Starting position

1. Take a seat in the leg press machine

2. Place feet shoulder-width apart on the platform

3. Toes turned slightly outwards

4. Hips and lower back fully against the railing

5. Core tightened

6. Unlock the platform controlled

Implementation

1. Bend knees and hips in a controlled way

2. Slowly lower the platform towards you

3. Go to a comfortable and controlled depth

4. Keep knees in line with toes

5. Push the platform away through midfoot and heels

6. Stretch hips and knees without locking

7. Maintain tension throughout movement

Points of interest

✓ Move controlled in both phases
✓ Keep lower back stable against the handrail
✓ Knees follow direction of toes
✓ Pressure through heels and midfoot
✓ Breathe calmly and controlled

✗ Press knees fully locked
✗ Lower back release from the railing
✗ Sinking too deep without control
✗ Too high resistance with poor technique
✗ Ignoring pain in knee or hip

When this exercise?

Leg press incline is used to improve lower body strength and load capacity in situations where free squats are less suitable or (temporarily) not desirable. The exercise is valuable within rehabilitation after knee, hip or back injuries, but also as additional strength training for athletes who want to strengthen their leg muscles in a targeted way.

Due to its stable and guided movement, the leg press is easy to dose and the load can be accurately adjusted. The exercise can be used in various training and rehabilitation phases, provided the movement can be performed pain-free and controlled. Application, loading and progression should always take place in consultation with a physiotherapist or other qualified professional, to ensure that the exercise is safe and tailored to individual load capacity, symptoms and recovery status.