Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press: Video Exercise Guide & Tips (2024)

Exercise Profile

Target Muscle Group

Quads

Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press: Video Exercise Guide & Tips (1)

Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press Overview

The narrow stance leg press exercise is a variation of the leg press and an exercise used to build the muscles of the legs. It’ll primarily focus on building the muscles of the quadriceps, but also target the hamstrings, glutes, and calves.

The narrow stance used during the exercise puts a greater amount of tension on the outer quads.

This exercise can be incorporated into your leg days or full body days.

Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press Instructions

  1. Load the machine with the desired weight and take a seat.
  2. Sit down and position your feet on the sled inside of shoulder width.
  3. Take a deep breath, extend your legs, and unlock the safeties.
  4. Lower the weight under control until the legs are roughly 45 degrees or slightly below.
  5. Drive the weight back to the starting position by extending the knees but don’t forcefully lockout.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press Tips

  1. To keep tension on the quads, keep the knees just shy of lockout.
  2. In order to emphasize the glutes more, push through the heels.
  3. In order to emphasize the quads more, push through the balls of the feet.
  4. Don’t allow the hips to posteriorly tilt and roll off the pad.
  5. Keep your low back flat against the pad throughout the movement.
  6. Maintain a neutral head position by not looking up or down excessively.
  7. Self spotting is possible by simply applying pressure to the knees with the hands. Use only when necessary.
  8. Toe angle is individual and will depend upon each individual’s hip anatomy and ankle mobility - experiment and adjust based upon feel.
Narrow Stance 45 Degree Leg Press: Video Exercise Guide & Tips (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of narrow stance leg press? ›

Benefits. Outer quadriceps development: The narrow stance leg press helps develop the outer thigh muscles for a more balanced appearance and improved leg strength.

How to work a 45-degree leg press? ›

Engage the core then lower the plate until your knees are between 45 and 90 degrees, ensuring your glutes and lower back stay still throughout. This is your starting position. Press the plate up by extending your legs out straight, taking care not to lock your knees.

What is the 45-degree leg press good for? ›

The 45-degree leg press machines offer a greater range of motion and increased muscle engagement for individuals seeking a more extensive workout. While they may require additional space and come at a higher cost, they provide a highly effective workout due to the direct resistance targeting the legs.

What is the difference between narrow leg press and wide leg press? ›

You target different muscle groups when you change where your feet are placed on the leg press platform. A high foot position with a wide stance mainly hits the quads. By bringing your feet lower and using a narrower stance, the focus shifts to the hamstrings.

What is narrow leg stance? ›

The famous narrow stance squat which you might also know as the close stance squat is a variation to a squat that is performed by placing your feet at shoulder-width apart with your feet, knees, and hips facing forward.

What is the best style of leg press? ›

The 45 degree linear leg press benefits the strength in your legs, specifically targeting your quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Unlike traditional barbell squats, the 45 Degree Linear Leg Press can reduce spinal compression, making it a good alternative for those with back pain or injuries.

Should leg press be slow or fast? ›

Concentrate on slow and deliberate movements rather than how many reps or the amount of weight you're lifting. Ask a trainer to review your form and get personalized advice if you notice any unwarranted stress or pain.

Is narrow stance better for quads? ›

NARROW STANCE SQUATS 👇🏼 Great for further developing quad deficits and helping you get stronger at training through a full range of motion. A lot of people also like them for taking stress away from the adductors in length and helping resolve excessive hip shifts. Of course, they don't have to be this narrow.

What is better, squat or leg press? ›

If you're seeking a functional, versatile exercise that builds overall strength, balance, and core stability, squats may be your go-to for weight loss. However, if your primary focus is isolating and targeting your leg muscles for hypertrophy, the leg press could be the better choice for boosting testosterone levels.

What is a good leg press weight for a man? ›

According to various sources, the average leg press weight for a guy falls within the range of 425 lb to 499 lb (193 kg to 226 kg) for 1 rep max (1RM) performances. This level of performance often classifies an individual as intermediate, showcasing impressive strength compared to the general population.

What is the best 45-degree leg press machine? ›

The BodyKore G277 leg press is our best 45-degree leg press machine because, while pricey, it offers insanely great features.

What is a good leg press for my age? ›

Beginner - 0.50 x body weight. Novice - 1.25 x body weight. Intermediate - 2 x body weight. Advanced - 3.25 x body weight.

What is a good leg press for a woman? ›

The average Horizontal Leg Press weight for a female lifter is 258 lb (1RM). This makes you Intermediate on Strength Level and is a very impressive lift. What is a good Horizontal Leg Press? Female beginners should aim to lift 82 lb (1RM) which is still impressive compared to the general population.

How many sets of leg press is enough? ›

5 sets of 10 to 12 reps is a good amount. Afterwards, your 5 sets of leg press are the best way to push your quads to the max and get everything out of them that you can. Again 5 sets is a good amount. For both squats and leg press, we recommend increasing your weight as you progress through the sets.

What does close stance leg press do? ›

The narrow-stance leg press is a machine-based exercise that targets the muscles of the legs. It emphasizes the quads, particularly the muscles of the outer quads and hips.

How do I widen my leg stance? ›

Take your elbows up to shoulder height with fingers touching in the center. Step your feet out wide ensuring the whole of your foot is firm to the ground. Push your feet into the ground and draw them slightly toward one another. Extend your arms out wide reaching far away with your fingers and activating arm muscles.

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