For quad growth
For quad growth, belt squat and leg press score the same.
Belt squat is easier on the joints; leg press is easier to progress.
Both are good choices that train the quads the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Belt Squat. Loads the legs from the hips, so the quads work hard with no weight on the spine.
Leg Press. Heavy quad work without balance or load on the spine. Go deep enough to bend the knees well past 90°.
For quad growth, belt squat and leg press score the same. Belt squat is easier on the joints; leg press is easier to progress. Both are good choices that train the quads the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Belt squat needs a machine, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Leg press needs a machine, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Belt squat: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Strong for leg press.