Seated Leg Curl
How to do the Seated Leg Curl with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.
Hamstrings
,
Machine
How to do the Seated Leg Curl
- 1
Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and sit on the machine with your back against the back support pad.
- 2
Place the back of lower leg on top of padded lever (just a few inches under the calves) and secure the lap pad against your thighs, just above the knees. Then grasp the side handles on the machine as you point your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances) and ensure that the legs are fully straight right in front of you. This will be your starting position.
- 3
As you exhale, pull the machine lever as far as possible to the back of your thighs by flexing at the knees. Keep your torso stationary at all times. Hold the contracted position for a second.
- 4
Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.
- 5
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Log it, see it on your body.
Every Seated Leg Curl set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your hamstrings volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.
More hamstrings exercises
Seated Leg Curl: common questions
What muscles does the Seated Leg Curl work?
The Seated Leg Curl primarily works the Hamstrings.
Is the Seated Leg Curl suitable for beginners?
Yes. The Seated Leg Curl is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.
What equipment do I need for the Seated Leg Curl?
To do the Seated Leg Curl you'll need a weight machine.
Is the Seated Leg Curl a compound or isolation exercise?
The Seated Leg Curl is an isolation exercise, it targets the hamstrings through a single joint, which makes it useful for focused, targeted work.
How do I do the Seated Leg Curl with correct form?
Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and sit on the machine with your back against the back support pad. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.
Log your Seated Leg Curl sets, free.
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