All Exercises

Lever Seated One Leg Curl

Target your hamstrings effectively with the Lever Seated One Leg Curl. This isolation exercise builds strength and definition in the back of your thighs.

Intermediate
Isolation
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

A leg exercise that targets the hamstrings, performed one leg at a time on a seated lever machine.

How to Do Lever Seated One Leg Curl

  1. 1
    Setup

    Sit on the machine with your back firmly against the pad. Adjust the thigh pad so it rests snugly against your lower thighs, just above your knees, securing your legs.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Position the lever arm pad against the back of one ankle, just above your heel. Ensure your knee aligns with the machine's pivot point.

  3. 3
    Setup

    Extend your working leg fully, pointing your toes slightly forward. Grasp the handles on the machine for stability and engage your core.

  4. 4

    Exhale and slowly curl your ankle towards your glutes, contracting your hamstring. Focus on squeezing the muscle at the peak of the contraction.

  5. 5

    Inhale and slowly extend your leg back to the starting position, maintaining tension in the hamstring throughout the movement. Avoid letting the weight stack touch down completely.

  6. 6

    Complete all repetitions for one leg before switching to the other leg, ensuring equal effort on both sides.

Tips

  • Maintain constant tension by not fully extending your leg or letting the weight stack touch down at the bottom of the movement.
  • Focus on squeezing your hamstring at the peak of the contraction, holding for a brief moment to maximize muscle activation.
  • Control both the concentric (curling) and eccentric (extending) phases of the movement to fully engage the hamstrings and prevent injury.
  • Keep your hips pressed firmly into the seat pad throughout the exercise to isolate the hamstrings and prevent compensatory movements.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Using momentum to lift the weight reduces hamstring engagement; instead, reduce the weight and perform the movement with controlled hamstring contraction.
  • ×Performing only partial curls limits muscle activation; fully extend your leg at the start and curl your heel as close to your glutes as possible for maximum hamstring engagement.
  • ×Lifting your hips off the seat reduces hamstring isolation and can strain your lower back; ensure your hips stay firmly pressed into the seat pad throughout the entire set.

Variations

Related Exercises

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