How to Do the Lying Leg Curls

Beginner · Machine · Targets Hamstrings

Lying Leg Curls demonstration
💪 Hamstrings🏋️ Machine📊 Beginner🏷️ Strength

How to perform it

  1. Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and lie face down on the leg curl machine with the pad of the lever on the back of your legs (just a few inches under the calves). Tip: Preferably use a leg curl machine that is angled as opposed to flat since an angled position is more favorable for hamstrings recruitment.
  2. Keeping the torso flat on the bench, ensure your legs are fully stretched and grab the side handles of the machine. Position your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances described on the foot positioning section). This will be your starting position.
  3. As you exhale, curl your legs up as far as possible without lifting the upper legs from the pad. Once you hit the fully contracted position, hold it for a second.
  4. As you inhale, bring the legs back to the initial position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The Lying Leg Curls primarily targets your Hamstrings. You'll need machine.

Make it count toward your goal

Random sets rarely move the needle. In NYUS, the Lying Leg Curls slots into a plan built for your goal — sets, reps and progression auto-suggested, logged in two taps, and folded into a weekly review that adapts what comes next.

More Hamstrings exercises

Train smarter