…continued – Legs
Leg Curls and Leg Extensions
Leg curls are a direct hamstring movement with few other muscles involved. The primary muscles involved are the hamstrings, and a bit of lower back.
Leg Extensions are a direct quadriceps exercise with few other muscles involved. The primary muscles involved are the quadriceps and hip flexors.
I don’t get overly excited about leg curls or leg extensions simply because they are not very effective muscle-building movements. I actually like them better for leg warm up more than anything else.
Leg Curls and Leg Extensions are both isolation movements and because of this isolation factor, only limited overload can be used.
Execution
These are both straight forward movements. You simply sit in the machine and follow the movement of the apparatus. There are of course better machines than others, but most everyone is limited by what is in the particular gym they train at. I certainly wouldn’t seek out another gym based solely on their leg curl and leg extension machines. They are not that important.
Max-OT Tip:
Leg Curls and Leg Extensions make great warm-up movements prior to the heavy stuff. I would recommend doing them first at medium intensity before squats.
