How does one compare to the other?

For example, if a person can do XXX on the leg sled, what is the estimate of how much they can do on a free squat? 50%? More? Less?

If you only ever use a leg-press machine exclusively you probably won't be able to free-bar squat much at all.

Because the leg-press machine takes the back-work out of it.

I've had my eye on a leg press machine for awhile. For the simple reason that there are days when I've needed the leg workout minus the back involvement because I'd already worked it on other ex's that day. Plus you can get some monster weights up on the leg press when you are not limited by your back's potential,form, etc.

But I don't see it as a stand-in for the Squat.


More of a specialization tool to be used in planned incidents.

I think just about anybody,however, can get way more weight up on the leg-press machine than they can doing a Squat.

How does one compare to the other?

For example, if a person can do XXX on the leg sled, what is the estimate of how much they can do on a free squat? 50%? More? Less?

If you are trained up on both, then there is a relatively simple force equivalence.

A 100# weight moving up on a 45 degree sled is equivalent to close to 71# moving vetically on a bar. On a 40 degree sled, it's a 64# equivalent. (The 45 degree sled is equivalent to 10% more weight on a 40 degree sled).

Now there are some reasons why the leg press is easier than the squat. It's more reasonable to compare the Bulgarian squat with a single leg sled press using the force equivalence.

In that case a 185# Bulgarian done by a 200# man done properly (with very low pressure on the back foot) is roughly force equivalent to 664# with two legs on a 45 degree sled press. 225# Bulgarian done by the same guy is roughly force equivalent to 780# with two legs on the 45 degree sled press. These numbers are 10 percent higher on the 40 degree press.

So why spend your time loading plates on a sled? Bulgarians are an excellent exercise.

In addition to what hevy and zen stated, all leg press machines are not created equal. I.E., degree of angle, angle of the seat, friction of the pistons or cables or plate loading apparatus. Some, like the Cybex, supposedly mimic the range of a free squat, as are upright power squat machines. But in any case, the machine is balancing the weight.

It also depends on your hip to back strength ratio's. I've found that if I neglect doing one, (squat or LP) when I come back to the other, my weights used are decreased. However, if I squat exclusively, most of my other lifts improve. Total body strength will increase with the free weight barbell squat.