How to Do Standing Cable Leg Extension: Muscles Worked & Proper Form

Muscles Worked in Standing Cable Leg Extension

Primary muscles worked:

• Quads

How to Do Standing Cable Leg Extension

1. Set the cable machine’s pulley to waist height and attach an ankle strap to it.
2. Stand with your back facing the cable machine and secure one leg in the ankle strap.
3. Engage your core and stand with a slight bend in the free leg. If possible, hold onto something (or someone) for stability.
4. Start with the strapped leg bent at approximately 90°.
5. Extend your leg forward in a controlled motion as far as possible against the cable resistance.
6. Lower your leg back to the starting position in a controlled manner.
7. Repeat for reps, then switch legs.

Commentary

This exercise isolates the quadriceps and can be an alternative to the traditional leg extension if you are training in a gym without access to a dedicated machine.