Quadriceps Exercises
Learn how to do all of our Quad Exercises and Immediately Add to your Leg Workouts
Welcome to our Quadriceps Exercises Main Page!
Quadriceps exercises work your thighs: the large, powerful muscles on the front side of the leg utilized in most athletic movements and leg exercises.
If you are trying to strengthen your quads, these exercises are especially important because With the right amount of training, people will address you as, “Quadzilla”−your boss, teachers at school, your grandma, whoever eventually writes your obituary, random strangers in public, etc.
Shut up and let me skip to the exercises!
Here we’ve linked to all of our weight training exercises that primarily target the Quadriceps. On Each individual Leg Exercise page you’ll find pictures, exercise instructions, and tips so you can add immediately to your Leg Workouts and other Weight Training Programs.
Our slew of Quadriceps Exercises is divided below by equipment required resulting in the following sections for this muscle:
- Barbell Quad Exercises
- Dumbbell Quad Exercises
- Weight Machine Quad Exercises
Click on the links above or continue reading below to view each Quadriceps Exercises section. Also, make sure to view our Best Leg Exercises list if you want to jump to the top five Leg Exercises we’ve chosen from our massive list of Calf Exercises, Glute Exercises, Hamstring Exercises, and Quad Exercises.
Barbell Quad Exercises
| Exercise Name |
Primary Muscle(s) |
Addl Equip. Required |
| Barbell Hack Squat | Quads, Calves, Forearms, Hamstrings, Glutes | Barbell |
| Barbell Lunges | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Barbell |
| Barbell Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Barbell Squats to Bench | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Bulgarian Split Squat | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell, Bench |
| Front Squat | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Barbell |
| Front Squat to Bench | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Barbell, Bench |
| Jefferson Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Overhead Squat | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Shoulders | Barbell |
| Reverse Barbell Lunge | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Barbell |
| Side Lunge | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Hip Abductors | Barbell |
| Side Split Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Hip Abductors, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Single Leg Barbell Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Speed Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Step Ups | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Barbell, Bench |
| Wide Stance Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
| Zecher Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Barbell |
Dumbbell Quad Exercises
| Exercise Name |
Primary Muscle(s) |
Addl Equip. Required |
| Dumbbell Lunge | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Dumbbells, Bench |
| Reverse Dumbbell Lunge | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Dumbbells |
| Dumbbell Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Dumbbells |
| Dumbbell Squats to Bench | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Dumbbells, Bench |
| Dumbbell Step Ups | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Dumbbells, Bench |
| Split Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Hip Flexors | Dumbbells |
| Sumo Squats | Quads, Abs, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Dumbbells |
| Walking Lunges | Quads, Abs, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Dumbbells |
| Weighted Sissy Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Dumbbells or Weight Plate |
Weight Machine Quad Exercises
| Exercise Name |
Primary Muscle(s) |
Addl Equip. Required |
| Machine Hack Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Machine |
| Leg Extensions | Quads | Machine |
| Leg Press Exercise | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Machine |
| Lying Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Machine |
| Narrow Stance Hack Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Machine |
| Narrow Stance Leg Press | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Machine |
| Smith Machine Hack Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings | Smith Machine |
| Smith Machine Squats | Quads, Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back | Smith Machine |
Leg Exercises by Primary Muscle Trained
If you’re through with quads but want to access more weight lifting exercises, head to our Weight Training Exercises main page or link directly to all of our Leg Exercises.
Our Leg Exercises are broken down in to quadriceps exercises as well as the following pages:
- Calf Exercises
- Hamstring Exercises
- Glute Exercises
Our Most Popular Leg Exercises:
Rather than viewing our weight training exercises by primary muscle, check out these popular Leg Exercises. Each page links to all of the variations of these popular lower body exercises.
- Deadlifts
- Hack Squats
- Lunges
- Split Squats
- Step Ups
Final Related Pages:
Finally, if you found this page of interest, check out these related pages:
- Best Leg Exercises
- Weight Training Exercises Main Page
- Compound Exercises
- Leg Workouts
- Fat Loss Workouts
- Muscle Building Workouts
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Leave our Quadriceps Exercises and access all the orkout Routines.
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