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Leg Extension

Leg Extension trains 1 of the 18 muscle groups Full Coverage tracks: Quads 90%.

Accessory Level: Beginner Machines Push Easy on the lower backEasy on the kneesNo load on the spineEasy on the shoulders

Leg Extension - Start position
Start position
Leg Extension - Finish position
Finish position

How to do it

  1. Sit in the machine with your back against the pad and the roller resting on your shins, just above the ankles.
  2. Set the seat so your knees line up with the machine's pivot.
  3. Straighten your legs until they are almost locked.
  4. Squeeze your quads for a beat at the top, then lower slowly.
  5. Control the way down - dropping the weight wastes half the set.

Muscles it trains

Percent of one session's target for that muscle. Anything at 100% finishes that muscle on its own.

Light Main

How it compares

Compared with the Leg Press, it loads Glutes 45 points lower, Adductors (inner thigh) 30 points lower, Quads 10 points lower.

Other exercises for the Quads

Related guides

Exercise illustrations and data by RepDB (repdb.co), used under licence.

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