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Quadriceps

1 min
 · 
8 exercises

Barbell Lunges exercise illustration
Cable Hip Abduction exercise illustration
Recumbent Bike exercise illustration
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges exercise illustration
Goblet Squats exercise illustration
Seated Machine Leg Extensions exercise illustration
Sumo Barbell Squats exercise illustration

About this workout

Quadriceps is a free 1 min workout plan with 8 illustrated exercises for your cardio and legs. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.

Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.

Workout details

  • Duration: 1 min
  • Exercises: 8
  • Training focus: Cardio and legs
  • Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF

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Questions about this workout

How long does the Quadriceps take?

The full workout takes about 1 minutes, covering 8 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.

What muscles does this workout target?

This routine primarily works your quadriceps. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.

How often should I do this workout?

For best results, do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day in between, and pair it with sessions that target other muscle groups.

Can I download or save this workout?

Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.

Quadriceps
1 min
 · 
8 exercises
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Barbell Lunges
Barbell Lunges exercise illustration
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321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Set up a  barbell on a rack  at just below shoulder level.
  2. Step under the bar placing the back of your shoulders under it. Do not rest the bar on your neck.
  3. Grip the the bar using an overhand grip with your elbows bent to90 degrees or slightly more. Less of an angle means your hands are too close together which can cause instability of balance.
  4. Lift the barbell clear of the rack by  pushing with your legs, while straightening your torso.
  5. Step away from the rack.
  6. Step forward with your right leg and squat down through your hips. Keep your back straight  and be careful to maintain your balance. Inhale as you lower yourself.
  7. Continue lowering your body until your left knee is nearly touching the floor.
  8. Return to the start position b pushing through your heel,exhaling as you do so.
  9. Complete all the repetitions for one leg before switching.

This exercise requires a great deal of balance. If you suffer from balance problems, it is best either avoid it, or just use your own body weight while holding on to a steady object. Never perform any exercise with a barbell on your back if you suffer from balance problems. For safety, this exercise is best performed inside a squat rack.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
  3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
  4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
  6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

Bodyweight Walking Lunges
Bodyweight Walking Lunges exercise illustration
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart and place your hands on your hips. This is the start position.
  2. Step forward with either leg in a long stride. Keep your other foot in place behind you.
  3. Bend your knees as you do this so your body is lowered towards the ground. Keep your back straight throughout the movement.
  4. Continue down until your front knee is just above the ground. (Your front leg should be bent 90 degrees at the knee)
  5. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Push down through your front heel and extend both knees to return to the start position.
  7. Pause then repeat with your other leg. When you have lunged with both legs, that is one repetition.
  8. Repeat.

Try to keep your hands on your hips at all times, using your obliques to keep your balance.

Cable Hip Abduction
Cable Hip Abduction exercise illustration
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
  • Standing sideways with your left side facing the weight stack of a pulley machine, attach an ankle cuff to the right ankle.
  • Hold the machine for balance if you need to and slowly lift your right leg up to the right side.
  • Pause and slowly return your right leg to starting position.
  • Repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Lie on your right side on top of a yoga mat or other soft surface.
  2. Brace your core and make sure your body is in a straight line. Keep your right hand on the ground and your left hand on your hip.
  3. Slowly lift the left leg into the air, keeping it straight during the exercise.
  4. Slowly lower your left leg. Complete the set then repeat with the other leg.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Place a resistance band around your knees
  2. Lay sidewise on an exercise mat with your knees, together, pointing forwards and bent at a 90 degree angle.
  3. Keeping your feet in a fixed position, lift your upper knee about 8 – 10 inches away from your lower knee.
  4. Hold this extended position for 1 second before slowly lowering your knee back to its starting position.

Do not perform if you have had recent knee injuries.

Recumbent Bike
Recumbent Bike exercise illustration
No sets / reps / duration specified
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings

No specific instructions for this exercise.

Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings

No specific instructions for this exercise.

Dumbbell Lateral Lunges
Dumbbell Lateral Lunges exercise illustration
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Begin by standing with dumbbells in hand at your sides.
  2. Place your feet hip-width apart.
  3. Take a big step to the right with your right foot, keeping your arms straight.
  4.  Land with your heel followed by the rest of your foot and flex the right knee so that you lower your hip and body until your knee and hip are at a 90 degree angle. Keep your left leg only slightly angled.
  5. Return to the starting position by extending your right hip and knee. Once they are straight, bring your foot back in to a standing tall position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. Keep your shoulders back. And your back straight.
  3. Take a long stride forward with your right leg. Your right foot should be in a position, that when you bend your right knee, your upper and lower leg form a 90 degree angle.
  4. Slowly bend both your knees, to lower your hips until your left (rear) knee is just above the floor. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by slowly straightening your legs and raising your body back to a standing position.
  6.  Complete all the repetitions for one set full set, then switch legs, or you can alternate between legs for each rep.

Do not let your knee travel past your toes in the down position as this can cause instability and injury.

Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Stand up straight while holding two dumbbells. Maintain a tight core and flat back as you carefully place your right foot on top of a bench behind you with toes facing down. 
  2. Bend at the front knee as you drop the back knee, maintaining perfect form. Front knee should not go over the toes.
  3. Allow your thigh to come to parallel with the floor.
  4. Pause then slowly return to the starting position without locking out your knee.
  5. Repeat then switch sides once set is complete.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
  1. Place a bench in front of you. Hold a pair of dumbbells and stand facing the bench. Brace your core and keep your gaze straight ahead.
  2. Bring your right knee up and step up on to the bench. Placing all of the effort in your right leg, bring your body up into a standing position on the bench.
  3. Slowly lower yourself to the starting position and switch legs.
Goblet Squats
Goblet Squats exercise illustration
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart while holding a light dumbbell to your chest. You should hold the dumbbell by one end between your hands, with the other end extending down your torso. This is the start position.
  2. Squat down keeping your slightly arched and pushing your hips back.
  3. Continue down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  4. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position.
  6. Repeat.

This exercise can also be performed with a kettlebell.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
  2. Position your feet wider than shoulder-width. Your toes should be facing out diagonally.
  3. Holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you, look straight ahead and bend at the knees while driving your hips backward. Your knees should be following your toes in a diagonal line.
  4. Complete this wide stance squat by having your thighs come parallel with the ground.
  5. Pause and slowly return to the starting position without locking your knees.
  6. Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand with dumbbells as your sides with your palms facing each other.
  2. Keeping your back straight and facing forward, squat down until your thighs are parallel to the floor.
  3. Pause for one second.
  4. Pushing up from your heels, raise back up to starting position and repeat.
Seated Machine Leg Extensions
Seated Machine Leg Extensions exercise illustration
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
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Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
  1. Sit on a leg extension machine and place your  legs under the pad with your feet pointed forward. The pad should rest on your shins just above your feet and you will need to adjust it to suit.
  2. Grip the hand bars (if fitted) firmly. This is the start position.
  3. Using  only your quadriceps, fully extend your legs exhaling as you do so. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Return to the start position in a smooth movement as you inhale,.
  5. The angle at your knee should not go past 90-degrees.
  6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed one leg at a time.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
  1. Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor.
  2. Raise one leg off the floor and bend your knee up towards your chest. Yhis is the start position.
  3. Perform the exercise by pushing down through your other heel and pushing your hips up, raising your glutes off the mat. Continue until your hips are in a straight line with your torso. Hold for a count of one.
  4. Return to the start position by lowering your hip to the floor.
  5. Complete all the repetitions for one set before changing legs.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
  1. Lie on an exercise mat with your knees bent so that your feet are flat on the floor. Keep your back straight.
  2. Place your hands out to your sides palms flat for stability.
  3. Raise your glutes off the floor by extending your hips upward while pushing down through you heels.
  4. Continue until your back, hips and thighs are in a straight line. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position by lowering your hips back to the floor.
  6. Pause then repeat.
Sumo Barbell Squats
Sumo Barbell Squats exercise illustration
No sets / reps / duration specified
Sets/Reps not set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
  1. Set a barbell on a rack at your shoulder height.
  2. Step under the bar and rest the back of your shoulders against the bar. Do not put the bar on your neck.
  3. Hold on to the bar using an overhand grip so that your palms are facing forward.
  4. Lift the barbell off the rack by pushing up with your legs while straightening your torso.
  5. Step away from the rack and position your legs in a wider than shoulder width position and with your toes slightly pointed out.
  6. Keep your head up and look straight ahead at all times, as looking down will put you off balance.
  7. Ensure your back is straight. This is the start position.
  8. As you inhale, slowly lower the bar by bending your knees while keeping a straight posture with your head up.
  9. Continue down until the angle between you upper legs and calves is slightly less than 90-degrees . As a guide, the front of your knees should be in line with your toes. Do not allow your knees to extend out beyond your toes.
  10. Hold for a count of one.
  11. As you exhale, raise the bar back to the start position, by pushing through your heels as you straighten your legs.
  12. Pause for a count of one.
  13. Repeat.

This is an exercise which carries some risk. If you have back issues, substitute this exercise for the dumbbell squat or leg press instead. Never slouch your back forward as this can cause back injury. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back
  1. Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
  2. Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
  3. Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
  4. Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
  5. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
  6. Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
  7. Continue this movement down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly more, making sure your knees are pointing in the same direction as your feet.
  8. Hold for a count of one.
  9. Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
  10. Make any adjustments necessary to your stance and grip before continuing on the next repetition.

Do not rest the bar on your neck. Keep your head facing forward at all times. Keep your back straight throughout the entire movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
  2. Position your feet wider than shoulder-width. Your toes should be facing out diagonally.
  3. Holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you, look straight ahead and bend at the knees while driving your hips backward. Your knees should be following your toes in a diagonal line.
  4. Complete this wide stance squat by having your thighs come parallel with the ground.
  5. Pause and slowly return to the starting position without locking your knees.
  6. Repeat.
Workout done!
Exercises done
of 8
Total time
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