The leg press is one of the most unique exercises you can do in the gym. It is possible for you to work your hamstrings, glutes quadriceps, and calves depending on the placement of your feet and how much range of motion is applied. On the other hand, if this exercise is performed wrong the leg press can be very damaging to your knee joints.

For years and years the die hard fans of the gym have been arguing about the angles you should point your toes at and the amount of distance between your feet while doing a leg press. A popular statement floating around the gym is that the more outward the toes point, the more the inner thighs get worked out. Going along the same general principal, the more you point your toes inward, the more outer quad is concentrated on.

Another issue that's been up for discussion is the distance between the feet during a leg press. It's been argued by many that the right distance between your feet is your shoulder-width distance. It's also been argued by many that this distance puts more strain on the knees, providing an alternative where a slightly wider stance will more naturally compliment the natural outward pelvic angling of our feet.

Unfortunately there is no clear cut procedure that has proven success. The foot placement that feels the most comfortable to you is probably the best one for you. Many taller people in the gym have found that a narrow stance during a leg press puts a very large amount of stress on the knees. For the taller people at the gym, a wider stance would most likely be most beneficial to a workout. On the other end of it, people who have larger legs might benefit from more of a "toes out" stance. For those in the gym new to the leg press, a "toes forward" stance might be an easier angle for which to do the exercise.

It's all about what's best for you and what you're most comfortable with, so it's good to try different angles in the gym. You'll want to keep careful track to the soreness you experience and the growth you attain, while also paying close attention to aches and pains never experienced before trying different angles. The standard approach is always a good foundation to explore from.

So if you find an angle that feels great, minimizes aches and pain, and hits the areas you need to hit, tell others about it, because they've most likely run into the exact same problem before.