The Surprising Impact of Leg Press on Squats

The leg press is one of the most popular lower-body machines in any gym, and for good reason—it targets the quads, glutes, and hamstrings with serious efficiency. But a common question lifters ask, especially those looking to build their squat numbers, is: Does the leg press help the squat? Or more specifically, will leg press increase squat strength in any meaningful way?

Let’s break it down.

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Understanding the Movement Differences

While both the squat and leg press train similar muscle groups, the movement patterns and the way your body is loaded are very different.

• Squat: A compound, free-weight movement that requires core stabilization, balance, mobility, and neuromuscular coordination.

• Leg Press: A guided movement where your back is supported and the load moves on a fixed path, reducing the need for balance and core engagement.

Because of this, the leg press can’t replace the squat, but it can play a supportive role in your training.

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Does the Leg Press Help the Squat?

Yes—but it depends on how and why you're using it.

The leg press is effective at isolating and strengthening the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings—all critical muscles in the squat. If your squat is limited by lower-body strength (as opposed to mobility, technique, or core stability), then increasing your leg press numbers may carry over to stronger squats, especially in the initial drive out of the hole.

It’s also a great tool for increasing training volume without overstressing your central nervous system. After your heavy squat sets, adding a few high-rep leg press sets can build hypertrophy in your legs without the added fatigue of another barbell movement.

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Will Leg Press Increase Squat Strength?

It can—but not in isolation.

Think of the leg press as a supplemental tool, not a substitute. If you only leg press and never squat, your body won’t learn how to stabilize the barbell, brace properly, or coordinate multiple joints in a vertical movement pattern. But if you combine leg press work with squats—especially if you're targeting weak points like quad drive or glute lockout—it can absolutely contribute to improved squat performance over time.

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When the Leg Press Helped Me Squat More

There was a stretch during my training when I couldn’t back squat due to a lower back tweak. Instead of halting all lower-body progress, I leaned into the leg press hard. I trained with strict form, slow eccentrics, and high volume. When I finally returned to squatting six weeks later, I was surprised—my legs felt stronger, my drive out of the hole was snappier, and I hadn’t lost much overall strength. That experience taught me the leg press could be more than a fallback—it could be a valuable ally when used with intention.

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Final Thoughts

So, will leg press help your squat? If used strategically—as part of a complete lower-body program—the answer is yes.

• Use it to build leg hypertrophy.

• Use it to target sticking points like quad weakness.

• Use it when recovering from injuries or managing fatigue.

But remember: it’s a tool, not a replacement. If you want to squat more, you need to squat—but the leg press can help get you there faster.