What happens in Pelvic Stabilization #1 Leg Press I?

What happens in Pelvic Stabilization #1 Leg Press I?

• A. Feet are externally rotated on the footbar. Press the carriage out and in while keeping pelvis stable and spine long.
• B. Feet are internally rotated on the footbar; press with pelvis movement.
• C. The knees press together during the out-and-in movement.
• D. The carriage is pulled in without leg movement.

Answer: (A)

Pelvic stability while moving the carriage is the central idea. When the feet are placed on the footbar with external rotation, the hips align in a way that helps the pelvis stay level and the spine stay lengthened as you press out and return. This setup keeps the core engaged and prevents the lower back from compensating or the pelvis from tilting, so the work comes from the legs and glutes rather than from shifting the torso. If the feet were internally rotated, or the knees pressed together during the movement, it would encourage knee and hip misalignment and reduce the ability to keep the pelvis stable, changing which muscles are doing the work. Pushing the carriage in without leg movement wouldn’t train the leg press action at all and would fail to teach proper technique. So using external foot rotation with a stable pelvis and long spine while pressing out and in is the best approach.

Pelvic stability while moving the carriage is the central idea. When the feet are placed on the footbar with external rotation, the hips align in a way that helps the pelvis stay level and the spine stay lengthened as you press out and return. This setup keeps the core engaged and prevents the lower back from compensating or the pelvis from tilting, so the work comes from the legs and glutes rather than from shifting the torso.

If the feet were internally rotated, or the knees pressed together during the movement, it would encourage knee and hip misalignment and reduce the ability to keep the pelvis stable, changing which muscles are doing the work. Pushing the carriage in without leg movement wouldn’t train the leg press action at all and would fail to teach proper technique. So using external foot rotation with a stable pelvis and long spine while pressing out and in is the best approach.