leg curl

{{Short description|Exercise for the hamstrings}}

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Image:LyingLegCurlMachineExercise.JPG

The leg curl, also known as hamstring curl, is an isolation exercise that targets the hamstring muscles.{{Cite journal |last=Thapa |first=Shiva Bikram |last2=Basnet |first2=Suresh |last3=Khanal |first3=Raju |date=2021-12-29 |title=Eccentric and Concentric Motion Motion of Hamstring during the Leg Curl |url=https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JIST/article/view/41546 |journal=Journal of Institute of Science and Technology |language=en |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=111–117 |doi=10.3126/jist.v26i2.41546 |issn=2467-9240|doi-access=free }} The exercise involves flexing the lower leg against resistance towards the buttocks. There are three types of leg curls. There are seated leg curls, lying leg curls, and standing leg curls.

Other exercises that can be used to strengthen the hamstrings include the glute-ham raise and the deadlift. However unlike the deadlift, the leg curl targets all 4 heads of the hamstrings as the biceps femorus head dose not cross the hip joint and can only bend the knee. Because the deadlift is a hip-hinge movement, it does not target this head.

File:Muscle Strengthening at the Gym - Leg Curl.webm|Video of using the leg curl machine

Image:Amanda Françozo At The Runner Sports-5.jpg|Standing leg curl at the finishing phase

Image:Seated-leg-curl-2.png|Seated leg curl at starting phase

Image:Seated-leg-curl-1.png|Seated leg curl at finishing phase