Description
An effective exercise that targets the hamstring muscles, performed using a cable machine.
How to Do Cable Assisted Inverse Leg Curl
- 1Setup
Set a low cable pulley and attach an ankle strap or handle. Position yourself kneeling on a pad or the floor, facing away from the cable machine, and secure the strap around your ankles.
- 2Setup
Lean forward slightly, keeping your torso rigid and hips extended. Your body should form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders, with tension on the cable.
- 3
Slowly lower your torso forward by extending your knees, resisting the pull of the cable and controlling the movement primarily with your hamstrings. Maintain a straight body line throughout the descent.
- 4
Continue lowering until your body is nearly parallel to the floor or as far as you can control without arching your back or losing proper form.
- 5
Engage your hamstrings to powerfully pull your heels towards your glutes, bringing your torso back up to the starting kneeling position. Exhale as you return to the upright position.
Tips
- Focus on a slow, controlled eccentric (lowering) phase, aiming for 3-5 seconds, to maximize hamstring tension and muscle growth.
- Maintain a rigid torso by bracing your core and actively squeezing your glutes to prevent arching your lower back and ensure proper hamstring engagement.
- Adjust the cable weight to provide appropriate assistance; start with more weight for easier reps and gradually decrease it as your hamstring strength improves.
- Always use a soft pad or mat under your knees to prevent discomfort and protect your joints, especially during multiple sets.
Common Mistakes
- ×Arching the lower back excessively: Actively engage your core and glutes to maintain a straight body line from knees to shoulders, preventing lumbar hyperextension.
- ×Losing control and dropping too quickly: Intentionally slow down the eccentric phase, focusing on hamstring engagement to resist gravity throughout the entire lowering movement.
- ×Using momentum to come back up: Initiate the concentric phase by squeezing your hamstrings to smoothly pull your body back to the starting position without jerking or using your arms.
Variations

Cable Standing Leg Curl
Master the Cable Standing Leg Curl to effectively isolate and strengthen your hamstrings.

Cable Seated Leg Extension
Sculpt and strengthen your quadriceps with the Cable Seated Leg Extension. This isolation exercise targets your quads, enhancing knee extension and muscle

Lever Lying Single Leg Curl
Target your hamstrings with the Lever Lying Single Leg Curl. This isolation exercise strengthens and sculpts the back of your thighs for improved leg

Inverse Leg Curl (on pull-up cable machine)
Strengthen your hamstrings and glutes with the Inverse Leg Curl. This bodyweight exercise uses a pull-up machine to challenge posterior chain strength.
Related Exercises

Assisted Inverse Leg Curl
Strengthen your hamstrings with the Assisted Inverse Leg Curl, a unique exercise using arm support to focus on powerful leg flexion and posterior chain

Cable Lunge
Perform a cable lunge to build powerful quads and glutes while improving balance and core stability.

Cable Forward Lunge
Perform the Cable Forward Lunge to sculpt strong glutes and quads while improving balance and stability.

Cable Front Squat
Master the Cable Front Squat to build strong quads, glutes, and core stability. This effective variation uses cable resistance for a consistent challenge.

Dumbbell Complex Push-up Row Clean and Press
The ultimate full-body dumbbell complex combining a push-up, row, clean, and overhead press in one flow.

Dumbbell Renegade Row to Squat
Build total-body strength with this demanding complex combining renegade rows and explosive squats.
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