Muscle Atlas
Quadriceps
Quadriceps femoris
Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medialis and intermedius form the quadriceps.
Squats, presses and knee extensions create different loading profiles.
Open in interactive Muscle AtlasTraining-relevant regions
These labels help with training navigation. They are not presented as completely isolated muscles.
Exercises for this area
The selection is curated around training roles. It is not a ranking or a claim that one exercise is optimal for everyone.
Classic exercises
Back Squat
Barbell
Established
Classic exercises
Leg Press
Machine
Well supported
Isolation exercises
Leg Extension
Machine
Well supported
Classic exercises
Bulgarian Split Squat
Dumbbells · Bench
Established
Classic exercises
Step-Up
Dumbbells · Bench
Well supported
Classic exercises
Front Squat
Barbell
Established
Classic exercises
Hack Squat Machine
Machine
Well supported
Classic exercises
Goblet Squat
Dumbbells
Well supported
Classic exercises
Pendulum Squat
Machine
Well supported
Isolation exercises
Single-Leg Extension
Machine
Well supported
Isolation exercises
Standing Cable Leg Extension
Cable
Limited direct evidence
Bodybuilding Classics
Sissy Squat
Bodyweight
Bodybuilding Classic
Bodybuilding Classics
Barbell Hack Squat
Barbell
Bodybuilding Classic
Classic exercises
Cossack Squat
Bodyweight
Well supported
Classic exercises
Side Lunge
Dumbbells
Well supported
Bodybuilding Classics
Wide-Stance Leg Press
Machine
Bodybuilding Classic
Classic exercises
Lateral Step-Up
Dumbbells · Bench
Well supported
Classic exercises
Air Squat
Bodyweight
Established
Classic exercises
Bodyweight Reverse Lunge
Bodyweight
Established
Classic exercises
Bodyweight Split Squat
Bodyweight
Established
Classic exercises
Pistol Squat
Bodyweight
Well supported
Isolation exercises
Reverse Nordic
Bodyweight
Well supported
Classic exercises
Bodyweight Side Lunge
Bodyweight
Well supported
Classic exercises
Bodyweight Sumo Squat
Bodyweight
Well supported
Bodybuilding Classics
Zercher Squat
Barbell
Bodybuilding Classic
Bodybuilding Classics
Jefferson Squat
Barbell
Bodybuilding Classic
Classic exercises
Wall Sit
Bodyweight
Well supported
Bodybuilding Classics
Clean and Press
Barbell
Bodybuilding Classic