What is a Smith Machine Leg Press Attachment?

The vertical leg press is a secret weapon for many bodybuilders. In the 90s, Flex Wheeler used it to build massive legs on his way to becoming an Arnold Classic Champion. These days, the vertical leg press is more popular than ever thanks to the home gym revolution.

Leg Press In A Smith Machine

Those who do not have access to a vertical leg press machine put their creative minds to work. Gym rats found that you could perform this movement by using a smith machine. It became the go-to way to perform the vertical leg press in a commercial gym where unique pieces of fitness equipment did not exist.

Not only can we can use a smith machine like a squat machine and stabilized lunge station. We can use it as a tool for high volume, blood flow promoting, vertical leg presses.

Want to Learn How to perform a leg press in a smith machine? We have a full article teaching you how to perform the exercise correctly. Access the article by clicking here.

Smith Machine Leg Press Attachment

The problem with leg pressing in a smith machine is that we weight distribute the weight to a small portion of your feet. You can expect some pain if you are not wearing hard-soled shoes. Also, your shoes may wear down where the smith barbell sits.

Where lifters create a problem, companies create a solution. We now have access to smith machine leg press attachments that can easily attach to a bar, allowing you to get more room for your feet to sit. The weight will distribute between the balls of your feet and your heels, making it more comfortable to perform the exercise.

How a Smith Machine Vertical Leg Press Attachment Works

Each company offers its own unique locking mechanism, but their overall setup is mostly the same.

You will have a bottom plate with a bar that fits snugly into the rack. Some will have a top bar (either attached with a hinge or detached) goes over the top of the bar.

To lock the bar, you either screw both sides together, use a pull-pin mechanism, or use a latch to secure them together. You should be sure that your leg press attachment is made of premium materials no matter the locking mechanism type. Safety comes first!

Important: Before You Purchase Your Leg Press Attachment

You will first need to check to see if the attachment is compatible with your smith machine. Different machines have different bar sizes. Choosing an attachment that is big for your bar could end up being money down the drain.

DIY Smith Machine Leg Press Attachment

You can develop your own smith machine leg press attachment if you have woodworking or metalworking skills. A decent setup only requires three basic parts. You will need to create the platform, connecting bars, and a couple of bolts.

If you don’t feel confident in this option, then spend the few hundred bucks to purchase one from a reputable company.

Get More From Your Smith Machine Leg Press Attachment

You can use your attachment for more than a vertical leg press.

• If tightly secured so that it doesn’t rotate, you can use it for calf raises.
• You can use it for preacher curls by setting it up at the appropriate height of the bar and turning it to a 45-degree angle.
• You can use it with hammock straps by hanging it from your power rack so that you can perform a straight leg press.

Having other uses for this attachment will give you more return for your investment.

Find More Unique Leg Workouts For Your Home Gym

Learn more about how to blast your quads, hamstrings, and glutes with our articles about less traditional leg exercises.

• Find out how to belt squat at home
• Learn all about the sissy squat
• Get our resistance band leg workout

Find more strength training articles for insights that help you accomplish your fitness and weight training goals.