TETSUBarbell Good Morning vs Seated Leg Curl Machine
The Barbell Good Morning and the Seated Leg Curl Machine both train the hamstrings as their primary muscle. The Barbell Good Morning uses a barbell while the Seated Leg Curl Machine uses a machine. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Good Morning | Seated Leg Curl Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | hamstrings | hamstrings |
| Body part | upper legs | upper legs |
| Supporting muscles | lower back | calves |
| Equipment | barbell | machine |
| Steps in our guide | 5 | 7 |
How each one starts
Barbell Good Morning — first steps
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and the barbell resting on your upper back.
- Keeping your back straight and your core engaged, hinge forward at the hips, pushing your buttocks back as if you were trying to touch the wall behind you with your glutes.
Seated Leg Curl Machine — first steps
- Adjust the machine to fit your body and sit on it with your back against the backrest.
- Place your lower legs under the padded lever, just above your ankles.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Good Morning lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Seated Leg Curl Machine fixes the movement path so you can push close to failure with less skill demand. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the hamstrings adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Good Morning better than the Seated Leg Curl Machine?
Neither is universally better — both train the hamstrings as the primary mover. The Barbell Good Morning lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Seated Leg Curl Machine fixes the movement path so you can push close to failure with less skill demand. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Barbell Good Morning and the Seated Leg Curl Machine in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the hamstrings. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Barbell Good Morning and the Seated Leg Curl Machine work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the hamstrings. Supporting muscles differ slightly — lower back for the Barbell Good Morning versus calves for the Seated Leg Curl Machine.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.