Exercises › Hamstrings › Standing Leg Curl
Standing Leg Curl
Standing Leg Curl is a beginner isolation machine exercise that mainly works your hamstrings.
💪 Hamstrings🏋️ Machine📈 Beginner🔗 Isolation🎯 3 sets of 10-15 reps


How to do the standing leg curl
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- As you inhale, bring the legs back to the initial position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
- Perform the same exercise now for the left leg.
Muscles worked
Primary: Hamstrings
Sets and reps
Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest, using a weight you can control through the full range. Add reps first, then weight.
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Start your free trialStanding Leg Curl alternatives
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What muscles does the standing leg curl work?
It mainly works your hamstrings.
How many sets and reps of standing leg curl should I do?
Do 3 sets of 10-15 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest, using a weight you can control through the full range. Add reps first, then weight.
Is the standing leg curl good for beginners?
Yes. It is a beginner-friendly movement: start light and focus on the form steps above.