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Best Quadriceps Workouts With Bodyweight To Get Lean And Burn Fat

About

This workout utilizes bodyweight exercises that engage the quadriceps effectively, requiring no additional equipment for resistance, although supportive tools for positioning might be employed.

Focus is on keeping the heart rate elevated through continuous movement and resistance training, aiding in calorie burning and muscle preservation for achieving a toned and lean appearance.

The quadriceps, located at the front of the thighs, play a key role in knee extension and hip flexion, vital for various lower body motions.

The 15 Best Quadriceps Exercises with Bodyweight to Get Lean and Burn Fat

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

  • 1. Air Squats

    Air Squats demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, slightly pointing outward.
    2. Distribute your weight evenly on your feet.
    3. Push your hips back as you lower your body into a squat.
    4. Make sure your knees go over your toes and keep your core tight.
    5. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the ground while keeping your back straight.
    6. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 2. Burpee

    Burpee demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and arms at your sides.
    2. Squat down and place your hands on the ground outside your feet.
    3. Jump your legs back into a plank position, keeping your body straight.
    4. Do a push-up by lowering your chest and then pushing back up.
    5. Jump your feet back towards your hands and stand up.
    6. Jump off the ground, landing softly.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 3. Jump Squat

    Jump Squat demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    1,475,912
    Quadriceps Strength
    56 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Jump Squat is a powerful version of the regular squat that helps strengthen your leg muscles, especially your quadriceps. It adds a jump to the squat, making it a fun and challenging way to improve your fitness without extra weights.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes turned slightly out.
    2. Lower your body into a squat, keeping your chest up and heels on the ground.
    3. Make sure your knees point outward as you squat down to parallel.
    4. Jump up explosively, straightening your knees and hips.
    5. When landing, bend your knees and hips to absorb the impact.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 4. Lunge

    Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
    2. Shift weight to your right leg as you step forward with your left leg.
    3. Land on your left heel, keeping your back heel lifted off the floor.
    4. Lower your back knee towards the ground while keeping your front heel down.
    5. Once your front thigh is parallel to the floor, push off your front foot to return to standing.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 5. Mountain Climber

    Mountain Climber demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart.
    2. Pull your right knee toward your chest while keeping your left leg straight.
    3. Quickly switch legs: push the right leg back and bring the left knee toward your chest.
    4. Continue alternating legs for the desired number of repetitions.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    9reps
    2
    9reps
    3
    9reps
    4
    9reps
  • 6. Walking Lunge

    Walking Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.
    2. Shift your weight to one leg as you step forward with the other leg.
    3. Land heel first with the stepping leg and lift your back heel off the floor.
    4. Lower your back knee towards the ground, keeping the front heel down.
    5. Raise your back knee once your front thigh is parallel to the ground, then step it forward, repeating with the opposite leg.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 7. Lunge Jump

    Lunge Jump demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand in a split stance with your right knee bent in front and back knee close to the ground.
    2. Bend your elbows at 90 degrees, with the left elbow forward and right elbow back.
    3. Jump up explosively, bringing your right knee and left elbow back while your left knee and right elbow come forward.
    4. Land softly in the same split stance and bend your knees to return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 8. Side Lunge

    Side Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips or in front of you.
    2. Shift your weight to your left leg and step your right leg out to the side.
    3. Bend your right knee and push your hips back while keeping your left leg straight.
    4. Lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground.
    5. Push off your right foot to return to the starting position.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 9. Weighted Wall Sit

    Weighted Wall Sit demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    461,875
    Quadriceps Strength
    74 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Weighted Wall Sit is an exercise that strengthens your thighs, glutes, and hamstrings. By adding weight, you increase resistance, which helps build strength and endurance in your lower body.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with your back against a wall.
    2. Bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground at a 90-degree angle.
    3. Place a weight on your thighs.
    4. Extend your arms in front of your shoulders.
    5. Hold this position for the desired time.
  • 10. Burpee Broad Jump

    Burpee Broad Jump demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Bend down and place your hands outside your feet, then jump your legs back.
    3. Lower your chest to the floor, then push up and jump your feet back to your hands.
    4. Stand up, squat slightly, then jump forward explosively.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 11. Burpee High Jump

    Burpee High Jump demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
    2. Bend down and place your hands outside your feet.
    3. Jump your legs back into a plank position.
    4. Lower your chest to the ground by bending your elbows.
    5. Push back up, jump your feet forward to your hands, and stand up.
    6. Explode into a high jump and repeat.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 12. Alternating Lunge Jumps

    Alternating Lunge Jumps demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    190,787
    Quadriceps Strength
    67 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Alternating Lunge Jumps are an explosive exercise that combines lunges with jumps. They mainly work your quads, glutes, and hamstrings while improving your balance and cardiovascular fitness.

    How to do it

    1. Start in a lunge position with your front knee behind your toes and your back knee close to the ground.
    2. Jump up, driving your front foot down to gain height.
    3. Switch your legs in the air so the opposite leg is in front when you land.
    4. Land in a staggered stance and lower yourself into another lunge, keeping your back knee near the ground.
    5. Keep your core tight, shoulders back, and chest up while doing the exercise.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 13. Pulse Lunge

    Pulse Lunge demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    344,385
    Quadriceps Strength
    45 mScore
    Quadriceps

    The Pulse Lunge is an effective exercise that strengthens your leg muscles, especially your quads. In this variation, you lower and lift your body without standing up completely, which helps build endurance and strength in your legs.

    How to do it

    1. Stand with feet hip-width apart and hands on your hips.
    2. Step forward with one leg, keeping your upper body straight.
    3. Lower your body until both knees are at 90 degrees.
    4. Pulse up and down without fully standing up.
    5. Complete the set, then switch to the other leg.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 14. Power Skips

    Power Skips demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    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

    1. Stand with your knees slightly bent and feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Push off the ground with one leg to jump high, focusing on height rather than distance.
    3. Drive the opposite knee up and swing your arm in a running motion.
    4. Land back on the same foot you jumped from.
    5. Lower your raised knee and repeat the exercise on the other side.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 15. Bounds

    Bounds demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    13,960
    Quadriceps Strength
    52 mScore
    Quadriceps

    Bounds are a plyometric exercise that targets your legs, especially the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. This exercise involves jumping forward off one leg and landing on the other, helping improve power and agility for sports activities.

    How to do it

    1. Stand in a split stance with one foot forward and the opposite hand raised.
    2. Lean slightly forward, shifting your weight to your front foot.
    3. Keep your back straight, chest up, and eyes looking forward.
    4. Push off the ball of your front foot, jumping forward explosively.
    5. Drive your opposite knee up as you cycle your arms like you're running.
    6. As you land, bend your front knee and strike the ground with the ball of your foot.
    7. Immediately extend your leg and jump forward again, alternating legs.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Workouts with Bodyweight to Get Lean and Burn Fat

Alternative Quadriceps Workouts to Get Lean and Burn Fat

Alternative Quadriceps Workouts with Bodyweight