Strength machines don’t get as much recognition as they deserve; they are an essential part of effective gym routines.

For gym goers, knowing which equipment targets which muscle group, or improves stability, and reduces the risk of injury, will make the biggest difference.

Keeping that in mind, here are 5 chest press and leg press machines every gym lover should know about. 

5 Types of Chest Press & Leg Press Machines for Gym Goers

Chest:

Horizontal Chest Press Machine

It has simple controlled movements and doesn’t require you to learn any form, thus it's the best machine for beginners. All you need to do is sit upright and push the handle straight. You can adjust the weights using a pin and adjust the seat as well.

It’s best for building chest, shoulders, and triceps. If you are resuming training after recovering from an injury, then this machine should be your go-to.

Incline Chest Press Machine

The Incleine Chest Press targets the upper chest to make it look fuller and is a safer option for your joints. It adds variety to advanced exercises, and the best part is that you don’t need a spotter. 

Decline Chest Press Machine

After strengthening your upper-chest, you won’t leave your lower chest untouched, right? Once you get down from the Incline machine, head straight to the Decline Chest Press Machine for building your lower chest. You load the plates on the arm and sit at a downward angle to target the lower chest. 

It also targets the isolated areas that free weights can’t reach and adds variety to avoid plateaus. Also, it's a better option for those who aren’t comfortable performing a decline barbell press. 

Iso-Lateral Chest Press Machine

If you are struggling with imbalance during workouts, then this machine is just for you. It has two sides; you need to add weights, and each side moves independently. So, how does that help?  Pushing forward feels smoother and more natural. The machine fixes the imbalance and is good for improving coordination. Also, it feels easy on the joints. 

Dual Function Chest/Shoulder Press Machine

What’s better than one machine? A 2-in-1 machine. As the name suggests, this machine targets the chest as well as the shoulders. You sit, hold the handles tight, and push forward to target the chest, and adjust the arms upwards to target the shoulders. The two settings may sound hard to maneuver, but the transition is very smooth and easy. 

Legs:

Horizontal Leg Press Machine

You sit in a horizontal position, pin your desired weight, and push forward. It has a limited range of motion, hence it is the safest leg press machine. It is ideal for beginners and people recovering from injuries. It mainly targets the quads, but also helps build hamstrings and glutes. 

Vertical Leg Press Machine

The machine stand vertical with a platform in the middle. It allows you to lie flat on the ground and push the platform upwards with your legs. It is great for both lower and upper back and neck support, and stretches the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. 

Iso-Lateral Leg Press Machine

The Iso-Lateral Leg Press Machine has separate platforms for each leg, which is useful for injured people and those who have balance issues. For them, moving legs separately is more comfortable and safe. The quads, hamstrings, and glutes are stressed for maximum effect.

Angled Leverage Leg Press Machine and Compact Leg Press Machine 

It has the same benefits as a traditional leg press machine: the only difference is that it's smaller in size. It can fit in small spaces, hence it’s ideal for small-sized gyms or home gyms. Due to its size, it’s also inexpensive.

Have you tried any of these machines? Tell us in the comments and follow Bodybuilding Bros for more fitness tips!

Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu