Vertical Leg Press Machine

Quads, GlutesVertical Leg Press

Performed lying on your back, the vertical leg press targets your quads and glutes without overloading your shoulder girdle or spine. Excellent for safely adding leg volume without placing weight on your shoulders.

How to do it

1Lie flat on your back under the platform and press your lower back firmly into the pad.

2Place your feet shoulder-width apart on the platform and disengage the safety catches.

3Lower the platform smoothly, bending your knees to 90 degrees or a comfortable depth.

4Pause briefly at the bottom without letting your hips or lower back lift off the pad.

5Press the platform back up through your feet, keeping a soft bend in your knees at the top.

Common mistakes

Lifting your tailbone off the pad at the bottom, which puts dangerous stress on your lower back.

Locking out your knees at the top, transferring load off the muscles and stressing the joints.

Letting your knees cave inward on the way up, compromising joint mechanics and ligament health.

Breathing

Inhale as you lower the platform smoothly. Exhale on the effort as you press the weight back up.

Make it harder or easier

To make it easier, reduce your range of motion and use lighter weight. To make it harder, add a two-second pause at the bottom.

This is general guidance, not a medical opinion. Listen to your body: if it hurts, stop. If you have an injury or a chronic condition, talk to a doctor first.