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Machine leg extension

Extend the knees against the pad without lifting the hips or snapping the knees straight. Start with a manageable effort and increase it only while the setup and movement remain controlled.

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At a glance

EquipmentMachines
Experience levelBeginner
Movement patternKnee extension
Primary muscleQuads
Also worksGlutes
Machine leg extension: Exercise illustration (start) Machine leg extension: Exercise illustration (peak)
Exercise data by RepDB (repdb.co).

The movement, step by step.

  1. Align the knee joint with the machine pivot and set the shin pad just above the ankle.
  2. Extend the knees against the pad without lifting the hips or snapping the knees straight.
  3. Return slowly to the starting position and reset before the next repetition.

Technique cues

  • Keep the knee aligned with the machine pivot or resistance.
  • Keep the pelvis supported and breathe during the effort.

Common mistakes

  • Kicking or snapping the knee into extension.
  • Lifting the hips to move more resistance.

Watch & learn

Professional demonstrations, opened on YouTube.

Alternatives

Log it in One Fitness Hub

In the app, Learn on a workout opens this same guide for Machine - Leg Extension, without losing your selected exercise or unsaved sets.

Open in Workout Explorer. Watch the demonstrations in place, compare it with another exercise and browse the whole library.

Educational guidance, not an individual training prescription. Start with a manageable load, work within a comfortable range, and stop if a movement causes pain. Ask a qualified coach for help with an unfamiliar setup. Practice the technique before increasing load. Repetitions and working weight depend on your goals, experience, and individual needs.

Know the movement. Log the work.

Log every set, see your estimated one-rep max and keep the guide one tap away.