Exercise library / Hamstrings

Lying Leg Curls

Main muscles
Hamstrings
Also works
None listed
Equipment
Machine
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation · Pull

How to do it

  1. Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and lie face down on the leg curl machine with the pad of the lever on the back of your legs (just a few inches under the calves). Tip: Preferably use a leg curl machine that is angled as opposed to flat since an angled position is more favorable for hamstrings recruitment.
  2. Keeping the torso flat on the bench, ensure your legs are fully stretched and grab the side handles of the machine. Position your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances described on the foot positioning section). This will be your starting position.
  3. As you exhale, curl your legs up as far as possible without lifting the upper legs 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.

Quick answers

What muscles does the Lying Leg Curls work?
Mainly the hamstrings.
What equipment do I need?
Machine.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes, it is rated beginner level.
How do I track progress on it?
Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.

More hamstrings exercises

Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.