How Much Does a Leg Press Weigh Without Plates? A Practical Guide for Lifters

When lifters talk about how much weight they're pressing, there’s often confusion about what counts. One of the most common questions in the gym is: “How much is the leg press without weight?” Whether you're new to strength training or fine-tuning your programming, understanding the starting resistance of a leg press machine without any added plates is crucial for tracking progress accurately and training safely.

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Understanding the "Empty" Weight of a Leg Press Machine

When we refer to the leg press weight without weights, we’re talking about the resistance of the sled itself—the part you push during the exercise—before any weight plates are added. This "sled weight" can vary widely depending on the style, brand, and construction of the machine.

Here are the most common configurations:

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Types of Leg Press Machines & Their Sled Weights

1. 45-Degree Leg Press Machine (Plate-Loaded)

   • Typical starting weight: 75 to 125 lbs (34 to 57 kg)

   • Why? The sled is heavy-duty steel and moves along an angled track, often with minimal assistance from counterweights. Many models, such as those from Body-Solid or Hammer Strength, fall in this range.

2. Horizontal or Seated Leg Press (Selectorized/Weight Stack Type)

   • Starting resistance: Often 10 to 20 lbs (4 to 9 kg), sometimes more

   • How it works: This machine uses a cable and pulley system with a weight stack, and some models include mechanical advantage that reduces starting load.

3. Vertical Leg Press

   • Sled weight: Can range from 50 to 80 lbs (23 to 36 kg)

   • Considerations: Less common in commercial gyms, but seen in home setups. The weight moves directly against gravity.

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Why It Matters: Accurate Tracking for Strength Progress

If you're logging your workouts and wondering, “how much weight is a leg press without weights?”, ignoring the sled weight means you're underreporting your training load. For example, pressing 90 lbs of plates on a 100-lb sled is really 190 lbs of force—not 90.

This becomes even more important when using a 45-degree leg press, where the resistance feels different due to the angled track. The incline reduces the effective gravitational load slightly, but not enough to ignore sled weight altogether.

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FAQs: Common Questions About Leg Press Starting Weight

• Q: How heavy is the leg press without weight at my gym?
  A: Most 45-degree models are between 75–125 lbs. Ask the manufacturer or check the manual if available.

• Q: Can I count just the plates I add?
  A: You can, but you’ll miss a chunk of the total resistance. For programming and progression, include the sled weight in your total.

• Q: Is a leg press machine without weights still effective?
  A: Yes—especially for beginners, rehab, or warm-ups. The sled weight alone provides resistance, especially on heavier machines.

• Q: Is leg press easier than squatting the same weight?
  A: Typically, yes. The machine stabilizes the load and often uses a mechanical advantage—so 300 lbs on the leg press doesn’t equal a 300-lb squat.

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Final Thoughts: Know Your Baseline

If you’ve ever wondered, “how much does a leg press weigh without plates?”, the answer depends on the type of machine you're using. But no matter the model, recognizing the built-in sled weight is key to training smart. Next time you load up for a leg day, remember: your gains begin even before the first plate hits the sled.