Seated Leg Curl Machine

Technique

Sit in the machine with the back of your legs against the padded lever and adjust the thigh pad to lock your legs in place. Curl your legs down and under by bending your knees fully. Squeeze your hamstrings at the bottom of the movement. Return slowly to the starting position without letting the weight stack slam.

Steps

1. Align your knees with the machine’s pivot point.
2. Position the lever pad against the backs of your lower legs just above your heels.
3. Secure the thigh pad and keep your hips against the seat.
4. Curl the lever down and under by bending your knees fully.
5. Squeeze your hamstrings at the bottom.
6. Return the lever slowly without letting the weight stack slam.

Common mistakes

• Setting the machine pivot out of line with the knees
• Allowing the hips to lift off the seat during the curl
• Using momentum to swing the lever downward
• Letting the weight stack slam on the return

Variations

• Single-leg seated leg curl
• Paused seated leg curl
• Slow-eccentric seated leg curl
• Partial-range seated leg curl

FAQ