Quadriceps exercises

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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

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

Finally, if you found this page of interest, check out these related pages:

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