Exercise Library / Seated Knee Extension
Seated Knee Extension
The seated knee extension straightens one knee at a time while you sit.
Strength TrainingWhat this exercise does
The seated knee extension straightens one knee at a time while you sit. It strengthens the front of your thighs, the muscles that help you stand and climb stairs, with no balance challenge.
At a glance
- Body part
- Legs – Thighs
- Muscles worked
- Quads
- Experience
- Beginner
- Equipment
- No Equipment
How to do it
- Sit tall in a sturdy chair, feet flat on the floor.
- Slowly straighten your right knee until your leg is level with the seat.
- Hold for 2 seconds.
- Lower slowly without letting the foot drop.
- Do 8 to 12 reps, then switch legs.
Common mistakes
- Swinging the leg up.
- Leaning back to help.
- Dropping the leg fast.
Make it easier or harder
Make it easier
Lift only partway and hold on to the seat.
Make it harder
Hold the top for 5 seconds, or add an ankle weight.
Keep it safe
Keep the movement smooth. If you feel pain at the kneecap, make the range smaller.
Related exercises
Leg Extension
- Type
- Strength Training
- Body area
- Legs – Thighs
- Experience
- Intermediate
- Equipment
- Weight Machines
Bodyweight Squat
- Type
- Strength Training
- Body area
- Legs – Thighs
- Experience
- Beginner
- Equipment
- No Equipment
Lunge
- Type
- Strength Training
- Body area
- Legs – Thighs
- Experience
- Beginner
- Equipment
- No Equipment, Dumbbells
Step-Up
- Type
- Strength Training
- Body area
- Legs – Thighs
- Experience
- Beginner
- Equipment
- No Equipment, Dumbbells +1
Standing Hamstring Curl
- Type
- Strength Training
- Body area
- Legs – Thighs
- Experience
- Beginner
- Equipment
- No Equipment
