Best Beginner Legs Workouts To Build Muscle Mass

About

This structured workout plan is designed to effectively promote muscle hypertrophy through a blend of compound and isolation movements.

It incorporates beginner-friendly exercises that are straightforward to perform, focus on proper form, and minimize injury risk, ideal for those with less than one year of fitness experience.

Targeting the main muscle groups of the lower body, including the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, the program integrates classic movements like squats, deadlifts, and lunges.

The workout utilizes moderate weights with higher repetitions to concentrate on muscle endurance and growth.

Individuals of varying proficiency levels will find this routine both accessible and challenging.

Embrace this lower body regimen to enhance strength and muscle development progressively.

The 15 Best Beginner Legs Exercises to Build Muscle Mass

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Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Dumbbell Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    4,322,067
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Lunge is a way to make lunges more challenging by adding dumbbells. It mainly works your thigh muscles (quads) while also helping with balance and strength.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Lunge is a way to make lunges more challenging by adding dumbbells. It mainly works your thigh muscles (quads) while also helping with balance and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 2. Leg Press

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    4,591,309
    Quadriceps Strength
    99 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Leg Press
    Leg Press

    The Leg Press is a great exercise that works your thigh muscles, especially your quadriceps. It is done on a machine that supports your back, making it a stable and effective way to build leg strength.

    How to do it

    The Leg Press is a great exercise that works your thigh muscles, especially your quadriceps. It is done on a machine that supports your back, making it a stable and effective way to build leg strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 3. Dumbbell Squat

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    3,249,788
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squat is a modified version of the standard squat that uses dumbbells instead of a barbell. This exercise mainly works your thigh muscles and offers more freedom of movement, making it easier for those with mobility issues. It also helps improve squat stability and build strength for advanced exercises.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squat is a modified version of the standard squat that uses dumbbells instead of a barbell. This exercise mainly works your thigh muscles and offers more freedom of movement, making it easier for those with mobility issues. It also helps improve squat stability and build strength for advanced exercises.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 4. Dumbbell Squat To Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    2,183,541
    Quadriceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press combines a squat and a shoulder press to strengthen your legs and shoulders. It helps build functional strength and is a good foundational exercise for more advanced movements.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squat to Shoulder Press combines a squat and a shoulder press to strengthen your legs and shoulders. It helps build functional strength and is a good foundational exercise for more advanced movements.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 5. Hack Squat

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    904,236
    Quadriceps Strength
    95 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Hack Squat Machine
    Hack Squat Machine

    The Hack Squat is a machine-based exercise that helps strengthen your quadriceps. It provides more stability and control than traditional squats with free weights, making it beginner-friendly.

    How to do it

    The Hack Squat is a machine-based exercise that helps strengthen your quadriceps. It provides more stability and control than traditional squats with free weights, making it beginner-friendly.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 6. Leg Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    5,383,971
    Quadriceps Strength
    100 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Leg Extension Machine
    Leg Extension Machine

    Leg Extensions are a great exercise for strengthening your quadriceps muscles. Using a machine, this exercise helps you focus on your leg muscles while providing stability. However, be cautious as it can put stress on your knees, so use light weights and control your movements.

    How to do it

    Leg Extensions are a great exercise for strengthening your quadriceps muscles. Using a machine, this exercise helps you focus on your leg muscles while providing stability. However, be cautious as it can put stress on your knees, so use light weights and control your movements.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 7. Lunge

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    3,165,912
    Quadriceps Strength
    95 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Lunges are a great exercise for strengthening your legs, especially the quadriceps. By stepping forward with one leg, you can focus on improving balance and strength on both sides of your body.

    How to do it

    Lunges are a great exercise for strengthening your legs, especially the quadriceps. By stepping forward with one leg, you can focus on improving balance and strength on both sides of your body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 8. Lying Hamstrings Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    2,368,667
    Hamstrings Strength
    97 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    How to do it

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 9. Seated Leg Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    3,535,105
    Hamstrings Strength
    99 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    How to do it

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs
  • 10. Glute Kickback Machine

    SETS LOGGED
    1,405,344
    Glutes Strength
    99 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Glute Kickback Machine
    Glute Kickback Machine

    The Glute Kickback Machine helps strengthen your glutes using a machine for added resistance. This exercise gives you better control and stability while allowing you to focus on the movement without worrying about balancing.

    How to do it

    The Glute Kickback Machine helps strengthen your glutes using a machine for added resistance. This exercise gives you better control and stability while allowing you to focus on the movement without worrying about balancing.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 11. Cable Hip Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    1,064,458
    Glutes Strength
    95 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    Cable Hip Extension is an exercise where you attach your leg to a cable machine and extend it behind you while standing. This helps strengthen your glutes and improve balance, as the cable provides controlled resistance.

    How to do it

    Cable Hip Extension is an exercise where you attach your leg to a cable machine and extend it behind you while standing. This helps strengthen your glutes and improve balance, as the cable provides controlled resistance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 12. Single Leg Glute Bridge

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    1,685,202
    Glutes Strength
    96 mScore
    Glutes

    The Single Leg Glute Bridge is a bodyweight exercise that focuses on strengthening your glutes one side at a time. This variation helps improve muscle activation and balance by isolating each side of your body.

    How to do it

    The Single Leg Glute Bridge is a bodyweight exercise that focuses on strengthening your glutes one side at a time. This variation helps improve muscle activation and balance by isolating each side of your body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 13. Single Leg Hip Thrust

    SETS LOGGED
    543,574
    Glutes Strength
    90 mScore
    Glutes

    The Single Leg Hip Thrust targets the glutes and hamstrings while improving strength and balance on one leg. This exercise adds instability, enhancing muscle activation and helping to correct strength imbalances between your legs.

    How to do it

    The Single Leg Hip Thrust targets the glutes and hamstrings while improving strength and balance on one leg. This exercise adds instability, enhancing muscle activation and helping to correct strength imbalances between your legs.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 14. Air Squats

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    4,829,470
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Air Squats are simple exercises that use your body weight to strengthen your legs, especially the quadriceps. They are perfect for beginners as they help build strength and prepare you for more challenging workouts.

    How to do it

    Air Squats are simple exercises that use your body weight to strengthen your legs, especially the quadriceps. They are perfect for beginners as they help build strength and prepare you for more challenging workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 15. Balance Trainer Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    550,232
    Quadriceps Strength
    29 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of BOSU® Balance Trainer
    BOSU® Balance Trainer

    The Balance Trainer Squat adds an unstable surface to the standard squat, helping to improve balance and coordination while targeting your thighs. This exercise challenges your muscles more than regular squats, leading to better results.

    How to do it

    The Balance Trainer Squat adds an unstable surface to the standard squat, helping to improve balance and coordination while targeting your thighs. This exercise challenges your muscles more than regular squats, leading to better results.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Legs Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts to Build Muscle Mass

Alternative Legs Workouts to Build Muscle Mass