Leg Exercises
LEG EXTENSION
Muscles worked: This exercise emphasizes the muscles on the front of the upper thigh (quadriceps muscle group) which are responsible for straightening your leg against resistance. This powerful muscle group helps provide stability for the knee joint and is essential for producing power in running, jumping and lifting activities.
Pulley position: Leg extension/ Leg curl attachment.
Starting position:
•Sit on the seat facing away from the Power Rods with your knees near the pivot point and the lower roller pads on the front of your shins/ankle (see picture).
•Position your thighs at hip width pointing your knee caps straight to the front.
•Grasp the sides of the seat.
•Sit up straight with your chest lifted, abs tight and maintain a very slight arch in your lower back.
Motion:
•Tighten your quads and straighten your legs by moving your feet forward and then upward until your legs are completely straight and your kneecaps are pointing up toward the ceiling (not turned outward).
•Then slowly return to the starting position keeping tension in your quads during the entire movement.
Key points:
•Use slow controlled motion. Do not “kick” into extension.
•Do not let your knees rotate outward during the exercise. Keep your kneecaps pointing up and straight forward.
START
LEG CURL
Muscles worked: This exercise emphasizes the hamstring muscle group (biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitenonosus) on the back of the thigh as well as the calf muscle (gastrocnemius).
Pulley position: Leg extension/Leg curl attachment.
Starting position:
•With the back support of the bench attached to the seat of the leg unit, lie face down with your lower thigh on the pad, the knees near the pivot point and ankles under the upper roller pads .
•Point your knees and feet straight down and tighten your inner thigh muscles (as if squeezing your knees together) to stabilize.
•Place your hands on the floor or grasp the rail or bench for stability.
•Place your forehead on the bench or look to the side, but do not look up, hyper- extending your neck.
•Tighten your abs to prevent spinal motion and very slightly lift your knees (approximately 1 inch), placing the pressure on your thighs.
Motion:
•Slowly bend your knees, upward and then toward your hips without moving your spine and without your hips lifting from the bench.
•Keeping the hamstrings tight, slowly allow your legs to straighten and return near the starting position. Do not fully extend your legs.
Key points:
•Make sure you straighten your legs under control, do not allow your knees to hyper- extend.
•Keep your chest lifted, abs tight and maintain a very slight arch in your lower back.
•Try to relax your calf and foot muscles.
FINISH
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FINISH
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