For quad growth
For quad growth, the two are close. Leg extension rates slightly higher: more of the work on the quads.
Leg press gives more stretch.
Both are good choices, and they train the quads differently. Using both across your week covers more of the muscle than either alone: in studies, varied exercises grew parts of a muscle that one exercise missed. (Fonseca et al., 2014; Costa et al., 2021)
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Leg Extension. The only exercise that fully loads the rectus femoris: it grew all three of its regions in one trial, where Smith squats didn’t. Lean back to stretch it more.
Leg Press. Heavy quad work without balance or load on the spine. Go deep enough to bend the knees well past 90°.
For skiing & snowboarding, leg press rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to skiing & snowboarding.
For cycling, leg press rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to cycling, more injury protection.
For quad growth, the two are close. Leg extension rates slightly higher: more of the work on the quads. Leg press gives more stretch. Both are good choices, and they train the quads differently. Using both across your week covers more of the muscle than either alone: in studies, varied exercises grew parts of a muscle that one exercise missed.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Leg extension 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.
About the same: both rate Strong for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric.