Lying Leg Curl

Face down in the machine, curl the heels toward the glutes and return slowly.

Lying Leg Curl, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Lie face down, knees just off the pad's edge, roller at the lower calves; hips pressed down.

Steps

  1. Curl the heels toward the glutes.
  2. Keep the hips glued to the pad.
  3. Lower slowly to nearly straight legs.

Common mistakes

Hips popping up: the hamstrings shorten out of the work; press them down. Jerking the roller up: slow curl, slower return. Stopping high: near-full extension each rep.

Breathing

Exhale on the curl, inhale on the return.