No way are we letting you skip leg day! Below are five of the best leg press machines to ensure just that. Whether you’re looking to do hack squats or leg press exercises, the effectiveness and utility of using one of the top machines remains the same.
There’s nothing like an aesthetically pleasing set of legs to go along with a chiseled upper body. There’s also nothing more cringe-worthy than a blatant disparity between the two (remember Johnny Bravo!?).
Thankfully, the machines below will make sure that your leg workout needs are satisfied from the comfort of your own home.
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What are Squats?
Squats are a powerful exercise that improves your core strength, stabilizes your knee joints (when performed correctly), and engages muscles in your quads, hamstrings, and glutes that are not used during other leg exercises.
Squats are often overlooked, but they are as important for building strength in legs and core muscles as any other exercise.
How Do Hack Squat Machines Help?
It is important to maintain proper form when you perform squats in order to prevent injury and to reap the full benefits of the exercise.
Hack squats are a great way to do this, they use the assistance of a machine to ensure you maintain proper form and support so that the exercise is effective and safe.
Related: Jumpworthy Plyo Box Options to Consider
10 Highly Rated Leg Press Machines
Ahead, we are going to take a look at the five best hack squat and leg press combos on the market today and will review each so that you can choose the overall best leg press machine for your needs.
Let's get to it!
#5 – Model HLS2000 Hack Squat
Pros
- Less expensive than other models
- High weight capacity
- Heavy weight and durable construction
Cons
- More room needed to comfortably load plates
The Yukon Fitness’s Model HLS2000 is a sturdy, 465 pound machine that can hold up to 1800 pounds of plates. It is a hack squat machine as well as an effective leg press machine, providing the best quad, hamstring, and glute exercises on a single piece of equipment.
The back pad provides support for the head and neck with commercial grade padding that is 2-1/2 inches thick and is very low maintenance.
The Model HLS2000 has four-inch industrial grade bearings with two-inch slide rollers for a quiet and smooth movement. It also provides a safe workout with a spotter bar system and plates that are loaded beneath the sled.
Bottom Line
Its footplate is a generous size and is adjustable for you to be able to maintain the best form possible during squats. The shoulder pads are also adjustable, allowing you to adjust for your optimum comfort and safety during your workouts.
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#4 – XMark Leg Press Hack Squat XM-7616
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Pads are made from long-lasting Duracraft and covered in Duraguard vinyl
- Sturdy 11-gauge steel construction
Cons
- Poor assembly instructions
If you are planning to purchase the best leg press machine for your money, the XMark Leg Press Hack Squatmachine is worth consideration. This machine is constructed using a sturdy 11-gauge steel frame that is powder coated to protect the finish and ensure long wear.
It has three-inch Duracraft split cushions and Duraguard vinyl that is double stitched and designed to be comfortable and withstand years of use. It offers four settings on the backrest and footplate to provide you with the maximum amount of comfort and support while performing leg presses or hack squats.
Bottom Line
The design of the XMark Leg Press Hack Squat XM-7616 is ergonomic, safe, and easy to use without a spotter. You will feel completely comfortable exercising on this machine during solo workouts. It has a very sufficient maximum weight capacity of 1,000 pounds.
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#3 – BodyCraft F660 Leg Press / Hip Sled
Pros
- Compact
- Accommodates a wide variety of user heights
- Foot plate angles can be adjusted
Cons
- Lacks plate storage
If you want a footplate that can be adjusted to any angle or a hack squat machine that doesn’t take up much space, this may be the best leg press machine for you. The BodyCraft F660 allows users to not only adjust how far the footplate stands out from the base of the machine, it also allows the user to change the angle of the footplate.
This allows the user to target different muscle groups and find the angle that is most comfortable and beneficial for their fitness needs.
The F660 is also very small for a hack squat and leg press machine. It measures 39 x 79 x 50 inches, yet accommodates users of almost any height. Another unique feature of this machine is that you can perform donkey squats to avoid placing excessive weight on your shoulders.
Bottom Line
The F660 uses linear bearings instead of plastic pulleys and wheels for smooth movement and durability. BodyCraft provides peace-of-mind when you purchase this equipment by offering a lifetime warranty should anything ever become worn or damaged through normal use.
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#2 – Body-Solid Leg Press & Hack Squat
Pros
- Four inch padding for maximum comfort
- Compact size is great for smaller spaces
- Smooth gliding sled
Cons
- The pin used to adjust from leg press to hack squat is difficult to reach
The Body-Solid Leg Press and Hack Squat machine is a compact, but high quality leg press and squat hack machine. It offers four-inch DuraFirm back and shoulder pads for the maximum amount of comfort, support, and durability.
It is constructed of high grade steel and uses a quad track roller system, which provides a smooth, yet durable glide and distributes weight evenly.
It includes three lockout positions in order to ensure your safety regardless of your height, the exercise you are performing, or weight you are lifting. It also offers a very high grade diamond industrial footplate on both the leg press and hack squat plates.
Bottom Line
It can hold up to 800 pounds of plates on its sturdy frame, which is adequate for most fitness needs. With its high quality construction, plenty of durable padding, and safety features, the Body-Solid Leg Press and Hack Squat machine will be able to keep you comfortable and safe while delivering an effective workout.
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#1 – SportsArt Fitness A989 Plate Loaded
Pros
- Smooth and quiet motion
- Commercial grade quality
- Includes weight storage on frame
Cons
- Costs more than other models
The A989 Hack Squat machine from SportsArt is a great option for nearly any fitness environment. Whether you are purchasing this machine for a commercial gym or for your home gym, you will be investing in a product that will last for many years.
The A989 is constructed from electrostatic powder coated steel for ultimate strength and durability.
The footplate adjusts in both height and angle for users to target specific muscles. It has large shoulder pads to comfortably perform hack squats and other exercises where the weight load is on the shoulders.
The A989 also offers linear bearings to evenly distribute weight and provide a smooth motion with little noise.
Bottom Line
The A989 provides storage for plates on the frame, eliminating the need for a plate tree to keep your plates organized. SportsArt provides a 5 year warranty on parts, with exception to the paint, and a six month warranty on the upholstery.
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Final Take
When searching for the best hack squat machine, there are a lot of factors to consider, but only you can know which one is right for your needs.
This list includes the best options available, whether you are purchasing a machine for your home gym or a commercial fitness center.
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