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Rear Leg Raises

Quadriceps Beginner Stretching Body Only
Rear Leg Raises Rear Leg Raises
Equipment
Body Only
Level
Beginner
Force
Push
Instructions
  1. Place yourself on your hands knees on an exercise mat. Your head should be looking forward and the bend of the knees should create a 90-degree angle between the hamstrings and the calves. This will be your starting position.
  2. Extend one leg up and behind you. The knee and hip should both extend. Repeat for 5-10 repetitions, and then switch sides.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the Rear Leg Raises work?

Rear Leg Raises primarily targets the Quadriceps. This makes it an effective stretching exercise for building quadriceps development.

Do I need equipment for the Rear Leg Raises?

No. The Rear Leg Raises is a bodyweight exercise that requires no equipment. It can be performed anywhere with enough space.

Is the Rear Leg Raises suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Rear Leg Raises 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.

How many sets and reps should I do for the Rear Leg Raises?

Hold the Rear Leg Raises for 20-30 seconds per side, repeating 2-3 times. Stretch after your workout or on rest days when your muscles are warm. Never bounce or force a stretch past your comfortable range of motion.

What are good alternatives to the Rear Leg Raises?

Good alternatives include the All Fours Quad Stretch, Alternate Leg Diagonal Bound, Backward Drag. These exercises target similar muscle groups (Quadriceps) and can be substituted based on available equipment or training preference.

How to use Rear Leg Raises — How to, Muscles, Form

Best for: Building practical strength and adding focused work for Quadriceps. 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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