Knee Extension

Leg Extension

A practical movement guide for every Mission SOP that uses this exercise. Sets, reps, load, tempo, and purpose remain specific to each mission and phase.

Movement guide available

Anatomy map

Muscles involved

Primary Supporting
Option 2 custom anatomy illustration for Leg Extension, with primary and supporting muscles highlighted
PrimaryQuadriceps
SupportingGluteal musclesAdductorsCalves

ShaOS custom anatomy illustration. Visual reference only; movement coaching and muscle classifications remain defined by the Exercise Library.

Description

A machine exercise that isolates the quadriceps and provides controlled knee-extension volume without additional trunk or balance demands.

Setup & Execution

  1. Adjust the seat so the knee aligns with the machine pivot and the lower pad sits above the ankle.
  2. Sit fully against the back pad, secure the thigh position, and hold the handles lightly.
  3. Extend the knees smoothly until the legs are straight without snapping into lockout.
  4. Pause briefly, then lower under control to the deepest comfortable bend.

Coaching Cues

  • Lift with the quadriceps.
  • Pause at the top.
  • Lower with the same control you used to lift.

Common Mistakes

  • Kicking the weight with momentum.
  • Lifting the hips from the seat.
  • Using a load that prevents a controlled full range.

Movement media

See the movement

Reviewed short loop
Published media
Short silent loop · 5 seconds
Reviewed
Jul 17, 2026
Video source
Open source record
30–60 second tutorialplanned
Setup angleplanned
Side angleplanned
Key cue overlayplanned
Captionsplanned
Transcriptplanned

Accessible movement summary

Adjust the seat so the knee aligns with the machine pivot and the lower pad sits above the ankle. Sit fully against the back pad, secure the thigh position, and hold the handles lightly. Extend the knees smoothly until the legs are straight without snapping into lockout. Pause briefly, then lower under control to the deepest comfortable bend.

Key cue: Lift with the quadriceps.

The production indicators above are roadmap states, not claims that multi-angle footage, overlays, captions, or a narrated transcript are already available.

Adapt the movement

Regressions & alternatives

Preserve the movement pattern while matching current capacity, available equipment, and the mission environment.

Regression

Spanish squat

Progression

Single-leg tempo leg extension

Home gym

Supported reverse Nordic curl

Commercial gym

Selectorized leg extension

Used in

Linked Mission SOPs

Lower Hypertrophy & CapacityAscent