Cable Seated Leg Extension
How to do it
Starting position
- Attach the cable to the lowest pulley and fasten the ankle strap.
- Place a bench in front of the cable and sit down.
- Adjust your seating position so your knees are at the edge of the bench.
- Hold the bench with both hands to stabilize your upper body.
Movement
- Use the front of your thighs to extend your knees and push your toes forward.
- Pause briefly at full extension and maintain tension.
- Slowly bend your knees to return to the starting position.
- On the return, do not let the weight touch the stack to rest.
Breathing
Exhale as you extend, inhale as you bend.
Cautions
- If you lean your upper body back with momentum, tension in your quads disperses.
- If your knees hurt, shorten the lockout range slightly.
- If the ankle strap presses against your ankle bone, move it slightly higher.
Exercise info
| Primary muscles |  Quads |
|---|---|
| Equipment |  Cable machine Flat bench |
| Movement pattern | Isolation |
| Rep range | 10–15 reps |
14 similar exercises
Representative exercise: Cable Seated Leg Extension
- Lying Supine Knee Extension
- Dumbbell Seated Leg Extension
- Band Seated Leg Extension
- Seated Single Leg Knee Extension
- Cable Standing Single Leg Knee Extension
- Resistance Band Seated Single Leg Knee Extension
- Resistance Band Standing Single Leg Knee Extension
- Resistance Band Seated Single Leg Knee Extension Hold
- Seated Single Leg Knee Extension (VERSION 2)
- Weighted Seated Single Leg Knee Extension (VERSION 2)
- Lever Seated Leg Extension
- Stability Ball Sitting Balance Knee Extension
- Cable Seated Single Leg Extension
- Resistance Band Seated Knee Extension on a Chair
How GYMKC sets the weight for this exercise
For example, if you do 10 reps with 40 kg and log that you could have done about 2 more, GYMKC estimates your 1RM at about 57.6 kg.
With the cable machine, each step is 5 kg (10 lb), so the next weight is 45 kg. Within your 10–15 reps target, the sets you log decide whether to add reps first or add weight.
These numbers are an example of how the calculation works. Your actual prescription is recalculated every set from your own records. See how the calculation works
Related exercises
Cable Seated Single Leg ExtensionHarderBodyweight Kneeling Sissy SquatHarderLeg ExtensionSimilar exerciseGoblet SquatSimilar exerciseDumbbell Seated Leg ExtensionSame muscle · different equipmentLandmine Sissy SquatSame muscle · different equipment
This information is based on our analysis of public content from evidence-based training experts in Korea and abroad. It is not a substitute for medical advice.
Weights and sets differ from person to person. The GYMKC app uses the sets you log to calculate the weight and reps for your next set.