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All muscles

Quads

Four-headed knee extensor on the front of the thigh. Stance width and depth shift which heads do the work.

Exercises

13 that hit outer quad directly.

Showing only exercises whose primary-muscle parts include the outer quad. Show all 21.

Low1/10

Leg Extension

Burning quad squeeze at lockout - especially the teardrop (medialis).

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
3v
Low2/10

Goblet Squat

Quad load with a built-in posture coach.

Outer quadInner quad (teardrop)Deep quad
3v
Low2/10

Leg Press

Quads cooked under heavy load with the spine fully unloaded.

Outer quadInner quad (teardrop)Deep quad
3v
Low3/10

Hack Squat

Pure quad load - no balance, no back, just legs.

Outer quadDeep quad
2v
Low3/10

Step-up

Front-leg quad and glute together; back-leg hangs out.

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
3v
Low3/10

Smith Machine Squat

Quad-biased squat with no balance demand. Lower-back tax is low.

Outer quadInner quad (teardrop)Deep quad
2v
Low3/10

Jump Squat

A sharp burst of effort from the legs and hips — like trying to drive the floor away from you as fast as possible.

Middle quadOuter quad
2v
Medium4/10

Heels-elevated Squat

Quad annihilation, especially the teardrop and outer sweep.

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
3v
Medium4/10

Cyclist Squat

Quads-only burn; if anything else hurts, your setup is wrong.

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
2v
Medium6/10

Sissy Squat

The deepest quad stretch you've ever felt; tendons informed of your intentions.

Middle quadOuter quad
2v
High8/10

Back Squat

Whole leg pump, especially the front. Should NOT feel it in the lower back.

Outer quadInner quad (teardrop)Deep quad
4v
High8/10

Front Squat

Quad pump like nothing else. Upper back works hard just holding the position.

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
3v
High9/10

Pistol Squat

Total single-leg domination - quad, glute, balance system all maxed.

Middle quadOuter quadInner quad (teardrop)
3v
  • Quads
  • Quads - Outer quad