Best Quadriceps Workouts To Build Muscle Mass

About

Workouts aimed at building muscle mass, or hypertrophy, incorporate a mix of compound movements to engage multiple muscle groups and isolation movements to focus on specific muscles.

Designed to prioritize muscle size growth over maximal strength, these routines typically utilize lighter weights and higher repetitions.

The quadriceps, located on the front of the thigh between the hip and knee, are a primary focus, as they play a key role in knee extension and hip flexion.

This muscle group is integral to various lower body exercises, supporting effective and comprehensive development.

The 15 Best Quadriceps 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. Back Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    5,271,502
    Quadriceps Strength
    99 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Back Squat is a popular lower body exercise that builds strength and muscle, especially in the legs. It's an important move in powerlifting and overall fitness routines.

    How to do it

    The Back Squat is a popular lower body exercise that builds strength and muscle, especially in the legs. It's an important move in powerlifting and overall fitness routines.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    65lbs
    2
    8reps
    65lbs
    3
    8reps
    65lbs
  • 2. Burpee

    SETS LOGGED
    2,409,786
    Quadriceps Strength
    61 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines squats, plank, and jumps. They help build strength and endurance and can be modified for different fitness levels.

    How to do it

    Burpees are a full-body exercise that combines squats, plank, and jumps. They help build strength and endurance and can be modified for different fitness levels.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 3. 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
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 4. Front Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    1,790,723
    Quadriceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Front Squat is a basic exercise that mainly works your quadriceps by holding a barbell in front of your body. This variation helps improve strength and stability, which can benefit various sports and daily activities.

    How to do it

    The Front Squat is a basic exercise that mainly works your quadriceps by holding a barbell in front of your body. This variation helps improve strength and stability, which can benefit various sports and daily activities.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 5. Leg Press

    SETS LOGGED
    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
    100lbs
    2
    8reps
    100lbs
    3
    8reps
    100lbs
  • 6. Barbell Lunge

    SETS LOGGED
    875,639
    Quadriceps Strength
    97 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Lunge is a strength exercise that adds weight to the standard lunge, mainly working your thigh muscles (quadriceps). Using a barbell helps you build strength and improves your posture during the exercise.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Lunge is a strength exercise that adds weight to the standard lunge, mainly working your thigh muscles (quadriceps). Using a barbell helps you build strength and improves your posture during the exercise.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 7. Barbell Step Up

    SETS LOGGED
    572,806
    Quadriceps Strength
    89 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Barbell Step Up is a great exercise for building strength in your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings while improving balance. By using a barbell, you add extra resistance, which helps build muscle endurance in your lower body.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Step Up is a great exercise for building strength in your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings while improving balance. By using a barbell, you add extra resistance, which helps build muscle endurance in your lower body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 8. Bulgarian Split Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    822,003
    Quadriceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Bulgarian Split Squat is a lower-body exercise that targets your quadriceps and helps build strength, power, and stability. By placing your back leg on a bench, it challenges your balance and enhances the workout.

    How to do it

    The Bulgarian Split Squat is a lower-body exercise that targets your quadriceps and helps build strength, power, and stability. By placing your back leg on a bench, it challenges your balance and enhances the workout.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 9. Dumbbell Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    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
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 10. 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
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 11. Hack Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    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
    80lbs
    2
    8reps
    80lbs
    3
    8reps
    80lbs
  • 12. 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
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 13. 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
    4
    8reps
  • 14. Dual Kettlebell Front Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    207,717
    Quadriceps Strength
    46 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Kettlebells
    Kettlebells

    The Dual Kettlebell Front Squat is a beginner-friendly version of the traditional Front Squat, mainly working your thigh muscles (quadriceps). Using kettlebells makes it easier for those with upper body limitations, helping you build strength for a standard Front Squat.

    How to do it

    The Dual Kettlebell Front Squat is a beginner-friendly version of the traditional Front Squat, mainly working your thigh muscles (quadriceps). Using kettlebells makes it easier for those with upper body limitations, helping you build strength for a standard Front Squat.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 15. Pulse Back Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    255,837
    Quadriceps Strength
    71 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Pulse Back Squat is a variation of the traditional back squat that adds a small pulsing movement at the bottom of the squat. This helps build endurance and strength in the glutes, quads, and hamstrings by keeping the muscles engaged for a longer time.

    How to do it

    The Pulse Back Squat is a variation of the traditional back squat that adds a small pulsing movement at the bottom of the squat. This helps build endurance and strength in the glutes, quads, and hamstrings by keeping the muscles engaged for a longer time.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    50lbs
    2
    8reps
    50lbs
    3
    8reps
    50lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Quadriceps Workouts

Alternative Workouts to Build Muscle Mass

Alternative Quadriceps Workouts to Build Muscle Mass

Best Quadriceps Workouts To Build Muscle Mass | Fitbod Workout Generator