Best Beginner Quadriceps Workouts With Bodyweight

About

Bodyweight exercises effectively engage muscles without external resistance equipment, though supportive positioning aids might be utilized.

Designed for beginners with less than one year of experience, these movements focus on simplicity, reduced injury risk, and skill building, yet remain demanding enough to challenge fitness enthusiasts at any level.

Targeting the quadriceps, located at the front thigh between knee and hip, these exercises hone muscles responsible for knee extension and hip flexion, fundamental in various activities.

Perfect for 'at home' workouts, ensuring accessibility and convenience.

Adapted routines suit individual capabilities, promoting progress and body awareness.

The 15 Best Beginner Quadriceps Exercises with Bodyweight

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    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
  • 2. Air Squats

    SETS LOGGED
    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
  • 3. Lunge Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    885,943
    Quadriceps Strength
    32 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Lunge Jump is a dynamic exercise that enhances leg strength and explosive power. It combines a standard lunge with a jump, making it challenging and great for building endurance and strength in your legs.

    How to do it

    Lunge Jump is a dynamic exercise that enhances leg strength and explosive power. It combines a standard lunge with a jump, making it challenging and great for building endurance and strength in your legs.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 4. Side Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    1,541,469
    Quadriceps Strength
    77 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Side Lunge is a sideways variation of the standard lunge that strengthens your quadriceps and engages hip muscles. By stepping to the side, it also works the muscles that help bring your legs together.

    How to do it

    The Side Lunge is a sideways variation of the standard lunge that strengthens your quadriceps and engages hip muscles. By stepping to the side, it also works the muscles that help bring your legs together.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 5. Walking Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    1,338,423
    Quadriceps Strength
    82 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Walking Lunges are a great exercise that works your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings. You step forward into a lunge, then continue walking, which helps improve your balance and strength.

    How to do it

    Walking Lunges are a great exercise that works your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings. You step forward into a lunge, then continue walking, which helps improve your balance and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 6. Mountain Climber

    SETS LOGGED
    1,930,231
    Quadriceps Strength
    62 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Mountain Climber is an exercise that strengthens your core while improving stability. You start in a plank position and alternate bringing your knees toward your chest, which makes the workout more intense.

    How to do it

    Mountain Climber is an exercise that strengthens your core while improving stability. You start in a plank position and alternate bringing your knees toward your chest, which makes the workout more intense.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 7. Burpee Broad Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    218,660
    Quadriceps Strength
    59 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Burpee Broad Jump combines a burpee with a broad jump, working multiple muscle groups like your chest, shoulders, and quads. This exercise builds power and adds cardio to your routine by incorporating an explosive jump forward.

    How to do it

    The Burpee Broad Jump combines a burpee with a broad jump, working multiple muscle groups like your chest, shoulders, and quads. This exercise builds power and adds cardio to your routine by incorporating an explosive jump forward.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
  • 8. Burpee High Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    276,522
    Quadriceps Strength
    66 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Burpee High Jump combines a standard burpee with a powerful jump at the end. It works many muscle groups, especially your legs and core, and helps improve strength, explosiveness, and stamina.

    How to do it

    The Burpee High Jump combines a standard burpee with a powerful jump at the end. It works many muscle groups, especially your legs and core, and helps improve strength, explosiveness, and stamina.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 9. Standing Broad Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    11,061
    Quadriceps Strength
    56 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Standing Broad Jump is an explosive exercise that helps strengthen your legs, focusing on the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. It improves your jumping power and agility, making it great for beginners and athletes alike.

    How to do it

    The Standing Broad Jump is an explosive exercise that helps strengthen your legs, focusing on the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. It improves your jumping power and agility, making it great for beginners and athletes alike.

  • 10. Bodyweight Squat Hold

    SETS LOGGED
    39,145
    Quadriceps Strength
    48 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Bodyweight Squat Hold is an exercise that strengthens your legs, especially the quadriceps, by holding a squat position. It helps improve balance, endurance, and proper squat form without the need for weights.

    How to do it

    The Bodyweight Squat Hold is an exercise that strengthens your legs, especially the quadriceps, by holding a squat position. It helps improve balance, endurance, and proper squat form without the need for weights.

  • 11. Star Jump

    SETS LOGGED
    121,157
    Quadriceps Strength
    90 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Star Jump is a dynamic exercise that works your legs, core, and shoulders. It involves jumping into the air while spreading your arms and legs, which helps improve your strength and coordination.

    How to do it

    Star Jump is a dynamic exercise that works your legs, core, and shoulders. It involves jumping into the air while spreading your arms and legs, which helps improve your strength and coordination.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
  • 12. Pause Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    147,556
    Quadriceps Strength
    90 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Pause Squat is a squat variation focusing on the quadriceps. By pausing at the lowest point, you enhance muscle endurance and ensure proper form.

    How to do it

    The Pause Squat is a squat variation focusing on the quadriceps. By pausing at the lowest point, you enhance muscle endurance and ensure proper form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 13. Kneel to Stand

    SETS LOGGED
    34,576
    Quadriceps Strength
    92 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Kneel to Stand is an exercise that strengthens your legs and core by moving from a kneeling position to standing. It's great for improving balance and stability while building endurance in your lower body.

    How to do it

    Kneel to Stand is an exercise that strengthens your legs and core by moving from a kneeling position to standing. It's great for improving balance and stability while building endurance in your lower body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 14. Squat Side Kick

    SETS LOGGED
    68,619
    Quadriceps Strength
    93 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Squat Side Kick is a combination exercise that involves doing a squat followed by a side kick. It works your thighs, glutes, and hips, while also helping improve your balance and coordination.

    How to do it

    The Squat Side Kick is a combination exercise that involves doing a squat followed by a side kick. It works your thighs, glutes, and hips, while also helping improve your balance and coordination.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 15. Power Skips

    SETS LOGGED
    15,737
    Quadriceps Strength
    59 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Power Skips are an explosive exercise that strengthens your legs, especially your quads, hamstrings, and calves. This move involves jumping high on one leg while driving the opposite knee up, improving power and coordination for athletic activities.

    How to do it

    Power Skips are an explosive exercise that strengthens your legs, especially your quads, hamstrings, and calves. This move involves jumping high on one leg while driving the opposite knee up, improving power and coordination for athletic activities.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Quadriceps Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Bodyweight

Alternative Quadriceps Workouts with Bodyweight