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Exercise library · Hamstrings

How to Do Standing Leg Curl

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the standing leg curl.

Standing Leg Curl animated demonstration from start to end position
Main musclesHamstrings
Also works—
EquipmentMachine
LevelBeginner
TypeStrength

How to do it

  1. Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and lie with your torso bent at the waist facing forward around 30-45 degrees (since an angled position is more favorable for hamstrings recruitment) with the pad of the lever on the back of your right leg (just a few inches under the calves) and the front of the right leg on top of the machine pad.
  2. Keeping the torso bent forward, ensure your leg is fully stretched and grab the side handles of the machine. Position your toes straight. This will be your starting position.
  3. As you exhale, curl your right leg up as far as possible without lifting the upper leg from the pad. Once you hit the fully contracted position, hold it for a second.
  4. As you inhale, bring the legs back to the initial position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
  5. Perform the same exercise now for the left leg.

Form tips

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Gear for this exercise

Gym duffel bagGym duffel bagShoe compartment and space for everything.See it on Amazon →Gym glovesGym glovesBetter grip and fewer calluses.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.

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