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Ball Leg Curl

Hamstrings Calves Glutes Beginner Strength Exercise Ball
Ball Leg Curl Ball Leg Curl
Equipment
Exercise Ball
Level
Beginner
Force
Pull
Mechanic
Isolation
Instructions
  1. Begin on the floor laying on your back with your feet on top of the ball.
  2. Position the ball so that when your legs are extended your ankles are on top of the ball. This will be your starting position.
  3. Raise your hips off of the ground, keeping your weight on the shoulder blades and your feet.
  4. Flex the knees, pulling the ball as close to you as you can, contracting the hamstrings.
  5. After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Ball Leg Curl work?

Ball Leg Curl primarily targets the Hamstrings. It also engages the Calves, Glutes as secondary muscles. This makes it an effective strength exercise for building hamstrings development.

What equipment do I need for the Ball Leg Curl?

You will need an exercise ball to perform the Ball Leg Curl. Make sure the equipment is set up properly and at the appropriate weight before starting.

Is the Ball Leg Curl suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Ball Leg Curl is a beginner-friendly exercise. Focus on proper form before adding weight or intensity. It's a great movement to include early in your training.

Is the Ball Leg Curl a compound or isolation exercise?

The Ball Leg Curl is an isolation exercise that focuses on a single joint and muscle group. Isolation exercises are useful for targeting specific muscles, correcting imbalances, and adding focused volume. They are typically performed after compound movements in a workout.

How many sets and reps should I do for the Ball Leg Curl?

For strength, aim for 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with heavier weight. For muscle building (hypertrophy), try 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps at a moderate weight. For endurance, use lighter weight and perform 2-3 sets of 15-20 reps.

What are good alternatives to the Ball Leg Curl?

Good alternatives include the 90/90 Hamstring, Alternating Hang Clean, Band Good Morning. These exercises target similar muscle groups (Hamstrings) and can be substituted based on available equipment or training preference.

How to use Ball Leg Curl — How to, Muscles, Form

Best for: Building practical strength and adding focused work for Hamstrings, Calves, Glutes. Use it when the movement fits your goal, equipment, and recovery.

Programming tip: Start with a load you can control for every rep. Add reps before adding weight, and keep the last rep clean enough that you could repeat the movement next week.

Common mistake: Chasing heavier weight before the setup, range of motion, and tempo are consistent. If the rep changes every set, the log stops telling the truth.

Track it: Log weight, reps, sets, and one short note about form or difficulty. Over time, those notes explain plateaus better than motivation quotes ever will.

Track this exercise

Log sets, reps, and weight. See your progress over time.

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