Is This the Best Leg Press for Low Back Pain? | Legion Leg Press Hack Squat Review
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First Impressions
After spending real time training on the Legion Fitness Equipment Leg Press Hack Squat Combo, my overall take is this: it's a smooth, well-built, and easy to use machine that's going to be a great fit for most home gym users. If you're a serious bodybuilder or competitive strength athlete chasing maximum depth and elite loading, it may not check every box. But for the vast majority of people building a versatile home gym, this machine delivers.
What Makes This Machine Different: The Horizontal Design
Most leg press and hack squat combos sit at a 45 degree angle. The Legion LPHS is horizontal, and that changes a lot about how the machine feels and performs.
The biggest mechanical difference is the cable driven system, which creates a true 1:1 load ratio. On a traditional 45 degree leg press, you're not actually moving the full weight you load because of the angle. That's why people can stack seven or eight plates on a standard leg press. On this machine, whatever you load is exactly what you're moving. That's humbling for most people, myself included. I typically move six or seven plates on a regular leg press. On this, three plates is a serious working set.
The benefit here is twofold. You don't need to own a massive plate collection to get a great workout, and the loading setup is simple and accessible. The machine has an 800 lb weight capacity, which is more than enough for virtually anyone training at home.
Getting Into the Machine
One of the underrated benefits of the horizontal setup is how easy it is to get into position. There's no going upside down or fighting the angle like on a traditional leg press. The machine has 12 adjustable seat positions, which makes it easy to dial in your setup regardless of your mobility or height.
In leg press mode, there are actually three back position settings so you can adjust how far forward or reclined you sit. That's a nice touch for people with tighter hips or mobility limitations.
Hack Squat Conversion
This is one of the best features on the machine. Traditional combo machines make you flip pads and rebuild the setup every time you switch modes. On the Legion LPHS, one pull of a pin and you're in hack squat mode. Feet move to the upper platform and you're ready to go. It's seamless and genuinely one of the fastest conversions I've come across on any combo machine.
Dimensions and Footprint
The Legion LPHS comes in at 36.25 inches wide and 84.25 inches long. It's slightly more compact than most leg press hack squat combos, which is a real benefit if space is a consideration in your home gym setup.
What I Like: The Pros
Smooth and quiet operation.The cable driven bearings are noticeably quieter and smoother than a standard plate loaded leg press. Every client I've put on this machine comments on it immediately.
Consistent feel throughout the range of motion.There's no heavier bottom or heavier top. The resistance feels even and predictable from start to finish.
Commercial grade padding.The vinyl is soft, easy to clean, and durable. My shoulders have never bothered me on the hack squat portion no matter how much I load. The back pad in leg press mode is comfortable and supportive.
Foot pads.Not the typical grip tape style. These are rubber pads and I've had zero issues with foot slippage.
Low back pain benefits.This is the biggest one for me and for a lot of my clients. Because of the horizontal setup, there is virtually no low back rounding that you'd typically see on a 45 degree leg press. The weight loads into your hips and drives straight out. It feels almost like a belt squat in that regard. I've had multiple clients with back issues use this machine with zero complaints. That's not something I can say about traditional leg press machines.
Single leg work.This machine is excellent for single leg press. Comfortable on the knees and hips, easy to load, and your other leg can relax in a natural position.
The Cons
Hack squat range of motion.This is the main limitation worth knowing about. In hack squat mode, I can get to just about 90 degrees before I bottom out. For most general fitness users that's workable, but if you're a bodybuilder or competitive lifter who needs a full deep stretch position, this machine won't get you there. Taller lifters may have a slight advantage here due to different limb proportions. This is a known issue and I've spoken with Bob, the owner of Legion, about potential solutions including thicker shoulder pads and foot plate adjustments.
Starting position on leg press.This is actually a characteristic of all horizontal leg press machines, not just this one. Starting from the fully extended bottom position with a heavy load can be a little awkward on the first rep. There is a method where you set the seat, get in, and pull the carriage down to your position, which works better for some people.
Handle placement.A minor note, but I find the handles sit a little further forward than I'd prefer for leg press. I'd personally like them a bit further back so I can sit more upright with a better posture during the movement. This is a small tweak that Bob noted would be easy to address.
Pricing
The Legion LPHS retails around $3,000 but is frequently on sale for around $2,200. That puts it in the mid-range category for leg press hack squat combos. It's not a budget machine, but it's not ultra premium either. For what you're getting in terms of build quality, smoothness, ease of use, and the low back benefits, I think it sits at a fair price point for the home gym market.
Final Verdict
The Legion Leg Press Hack Squat Combo is a really solid machine for the home gym user who wants a versatile lower body machine without the size, complexity, and intimidation of some traditional combo pieces. The smooth cable system, quick mode conversion, low back friendly design, and compact footprint make it a genuinely compelling option.
Where I'd look elsewhere is if you're a serious powerlifter or bodybuilder who needs maximum hack squat depth and can't compromise on that. For everyone else, this is a well-built, easy to use machine that delivers on what it promises.
If you have questions about the machine that I didn't cover in the review, drop them in the comments on YouTube and I'll do my best to answer.
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Disclosure: Legion sent me this machine for review. I do have an affiliate link above and earn a small commission if you purchase through it. This does not influence my review.
