Standing Leg Curl

What it is

This exercise targets the hamstrings, the powerful muscles on the back of your thigh. Using a specialized machine, you will curl one leg at a time against resistance. It’s an isolation movement designed to build strength and definition in these muscles. Focus on controlled movement to maximize muscle engagement.

Technique tips

• Maintain a forward-bent torso throughout the movement.
• Position the pad just below your calf, not behind your ankle.
• Keep your upper thigh firmly pressed against the machine pad.
• Curl the weight with control; avoid using momentum.
• Exhale as you curl the leg up; inhale returning to start.

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.