Seated Leg Curl

What it is

This machine-based isolation exercise targets your hamstrings. You'll use a seated position to flex your knees, pulling a padded lever towards your body. It effectively strengthens the muscles at the back of your thighs.

Technique tips

• Adjust the machine to comfortably fit your height.
• Keep your torso stationary throughout the movement.
• Control the weight; avoid swinging or momentum.
• Exhale as you pull the lever, inhale on the return.
• Slowly return to the starting position for full muscle engagement.
• Maintain slight tension on your hamstrings at the top.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.