Machine exercise

Leg Curl (Machine) form, muscles worked, and workout tracking

The machine leg curl isolates the hamstrings by flexing the knee against a padded lever, typically in a seated or lying position, with the calves assisting slightly. Lifters use it to build hamstring size and knee-flexion strength that hip hinges alone do not fully develop, and balanced hamstring training on the curl is widely used to support knee health and sprint performance.

Leg Curl (Machine) illustration

How to do Leg Curl (Machine)

  1. 1Adjust the machine so your knee joint lines up with the pivot point and the pad rests just above your heels on the lower calves.
  2. 2Secure any thigh or lap pads, grip the handles, and set your legs almost straight to start.
  3. 3Exhale as you curl your heels toward your glutes in a smooth arc, keeping your hips pressed into the pad.
  4. 4Squeeze the hamstrings hard in the fully bent position without letting your hips lift or your lower back arch.
  5. 5Inhale as you return the weight slowly to a near-straight knee, resisting the stack rather than letting it drop, and repeat.

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Track Leg Curl (Machine) in Plates

Save this movement to a workout template, log sets and rest periods, and keep your training history in one focused gym tracker.