Exercise Comparison
Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound vs Smith Machine Squat
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound
Only in Smith Machine Squat
Instructions
Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound
Assume a comfortable stance with one foot slightly in front of the other.
Begin by pushing off with the front leg, driving the opposite knee forward and as high as possible before landing. Attempt to cover as much distance to each side with each bound.
It may help to use a line on the ground to guage distance from side to side.
Repeat the sequence with the other leg.
Smith Machine Squat
To begin, first set the bar on the height that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.
Hold on to the bar using both arms at each side (palms facing forward), unlock it and lift it off the rack by first pushing with your legs and at the same time straightening your torso.
Position your legs using a shoulder width medium stance with the toes slightly pointed out. Keep your head up at all times and also maintain a straight back. This will be your starting position. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances discussed in the foot stances section).
Begin to slowly lower the bar by bending the knees as you maintain a straight posture with the head up. Continue down until the angle between the upper leg and the calves becomes slightly less than 90-degrees (which is the point in which the upper legs are below parallel to the floor). Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: If you performed the exercise correctly, the front of the knees should make an imaginary straight line with the toes that is perpendicular to the front. If your knees are past that imaginary line (if they are past your toes) then you are placing undue stress on the knee and the exercise has been performed incorrectly.
Begin to raise the bar as you exhale by pushing the floor with the heel of your foot as you straighten the legs again and go back to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Verdict
Both exercises target the quadriceps. Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound is a beginner exercise using none, while Smith Machine Squat is beginner and uses machine. Choose Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound if you have access to none, or Smith Machine Squat if you prefer machine.