Iso Leg Press

What it is

Independent iso-lateral arms so each leg works on its own and can't cheat.

Iso-lateral means each footplate moves on its own arm. Press with both legs and a weaker side can't hide behind the stronger one, or train one leg at a time and see the difference for yourself. It's plate-loaded, so you add weight a plate at a time, the same as a barbell.

On the floor at Atlas

Hammer Strength's plate-loaded ISO leg press, open to members 24/7.

Who it helps

Evening out strength imbalances and driving serious leg growth.

How to use it

1. Sit back with your hips and lower back flat against the pad.
2. Put your feet flat, about hip-width, in the middle of the footplates.
3. Release the safety handles and lower until your knees reach about 90 degrees, or as deep as your hips stay down on the seat.
4. Press back up without snapping your knees straight, and lock the safeties before you get out.

How to program it

3 to 4 sets of 8 to 15 reps on leg day is a good place to start. Try a set one leg at a time: if one side stalls early, you've found something to work on.