10 leg extension alternatives to improve strength

A strong, toned lower body is a fitness goal for many—and for good reason. Strong legs support everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs, and lifting. To achieve this, people often turn to popular leg exercises like squats, lunges, and yes, even leg extensions. Leg extensions are a go-to for isolating the quadriceps, and many assume they are enough to build overall leg strength. But here is the catch—while they are great for your quads, they do not engage other key muscles like the glutes or hamstrings. If your goal is to gain full lower body strength, try these leg extension alternatives that target all major leg muscles without the use of any machine.

What is a leg extension exercise?

A leg extension is a strength training exercise that targets the quadriceps, the muscles at the front of your thighs. It is usually performed on a leg extension machine, as per a study published in Sensors. Here’s how to perform it:

• Sit on the machine with your back against the pad and feet under the padded lever.
• Adjust the lever so it rests just above your ankles.
• Grip the handles, engage your core, and extend your legs until they are straight.
• Pause, then slowly lower back down.

This exercise isolates and strengthens the quads, improving muscle gain in leg and knee stability.

What are the benefits of leg extension exercises?

Leg extension exercises primarily target the quadriceps femoris, a large muscle group in the front and sides of your thighs, including the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. They are the largest muscle group of the body. The quads play a crucial role in knee extension, which is essential for walking, running, squatting, and maintaining balance and posture. Strengthening your quads through leg extensions can enhance knee stability, reduce injury risk, and support joint health, especially in daily movements.

Drawbacks of leg extension exercise

While leg extensions are effective for targeting the quadriceps, they come with some drawbacks. One major concern is the increased stress on the knee joint, which increases the risk of injury and can lead to discomfort over time. Since the exercise isolates the quads without engaging supporting muscles like the glutes or hamstrings, it may create muscle imbalances if not paired with other leg exercises. Plus, it is not very convenient because you need a special machine. Instead, you can do other leg extension alternatives that work multiple leg muscles and are gentler on the knees.

Leg extension alternatives

Here are 10 leg extension alternatives you may perform at home to get a stronger and more toned lower body:

1. Bodyweight leg extension or sissy squats

How to do it:

Kneel upright on a mat with your knees about hip-width apart.
Keep your body straight from your knees to your head.
Slowly lean back, hinging at the knees, not the hips.
Go as far as is comfortable, then squeeze your quads to return to an upright.

2. Standing leg extensions

How to do it:

Stand tall with your hands on a chair or wall for balance.
Shift your weight onto one leg.
Extend the other leg straight out in front of you, keeping it as straight as possible.
Hold for a second, then lower and repeat. Adding ankle weights can make it one of the best leg extension alternatives.

3. Reverse lunges with foot elevated

How to do it:

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Stand with your feet placed on the top of a block or stack.
Step one foot back and you can also hold dumbbells in both hands if you want.
Lower into a lunge by bending both knees, keeping your back straight.
Push through the front heel to return to standing. This is one of the best leg extension alternatives.

4. Wall sit

How to do it:

Stand with your back against a wall.
Slide down until your thighs are parallel to the floor, like you are sitting in an invisible chair.
Do not let your hands rest on your thighs, keep them in front of you.
Hold this position for 30–60 seconds.

5. Plank leg extension

How to do it:

This is one of the best leg extension alternatives. Get into a forearm or high plank position.
Without moving your hips, lift one leg straight behind you.
Hold for a second, then lower. Alternate legs.

6. Heel elevated goblet squat

How to do it:

Place your heels on small weight plates or a wedge.
Hold a dumbbell or kettlebell at chest height.
Squat down, keeping your torso upright.
Push through your heels to stand. Try to maintain balance to perform this one of the best leg extension alternatives.

7. Resistance band leg extension

How to do it:

Anchor a resistance band low (like under a door or heavy furniture).
Sit in a chair and loop the band around one ankle.
Extend your leg until it is straight, then return with control.

8. Bulgarian split squats with dumbbells

How to do it:

Stand a few feet away from a bench or sturdy surface.
Rest one foot behind you on the bench.
Holding a dumbbell in each hand, lower into a lunge.
Push through your front leg to rise back up to complete a rep of this one of the best leg extension alternatives.

9. Dumbbell leg extension

How to do it:

Sit on a bench or chair.
Place a dumbbell between your feet.
Squeeze the dumbbell tightly with your feet and extend your legs.
Slowly lower back down.

10. Standing calf raises

How to do it:

Stand tall with your feet about hip-width apart.
Hold dumbbells in both hands, and if you are a beginner, then you can place your hands on a wall or a chair.
Slowly lift your heels off the ground and rise as high as you comfortably can.
Slowly lower your heels back to the ground and repeat.

So, try these leg extension alternatives at home and build leg muscles and strength!