Narrow Stance Leg Press
Narrow Stance Leg Press is an intermediate compound machine exercise that mainly works your quads, with help from your calves, glutes and hamstrings.


How to do the narrow stance leg press
- Using a leg press machine, sit down on the machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at a less-than-shoulder-width narrow stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Your feet should be around 3 inches or less apart. Tip: Keep your head up at all times and also maintain the back on the pad at all times.
- Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform in place and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you. Tip: Make sure that you do not lock your knees. Your torso and the legs should make a perfect 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position.
- As you inhale, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs make a 90-degree angle.
- Pushing mainly with the heels of your feet and using the quadriceps go back to the starting position as you exhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and ensure to lock the safety pins properly once you are done. You do not want that platform falling on you fully loaded.
Muscles worked
Sets and reps
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
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Start your free trialNarrow Stance Leg Press alternatives
Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.
SquatBarbell · Beginner
Goblet SquatDumbbell · Beginner
Leg PressMachine · Beginner
Bodyweight SquatBodyweight · Beginner
Cable DeadliftsCable · Beginner
Weighted SquatOther · IntermediateFAQ
What muscles does the narrow stance leg press work?
It mainly works your quads; your calves, glutes and hamstrings assist.
How many sets and reps of narrow stance leg press should I do?
For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.
Is the narrow stance leg press good for beginners?
It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.