10 Best Lever Seated Leg Curl Alternatives for Home & Gym

Ranked Lever Seated Leg Curl Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Lever Seated Leg Curl on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page. Harder versions are tagged as progressions and kept out of the top spot even when they score higher.

1. Best match

   

   1. Seated Leg Curl

   80% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   A good swap when you have a machine to work with, and it still works the hamstrings.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and sit on the machine with your back against the back support pad.
   2. Place the back of lower leg on top of padded lever (just a few inches under the calves) and secure the lap pad against your thighs, just above the knees. Then grasp the side handles on the machine as you point your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances) and ensure that the legs are fully straight right in front of you. This will be your starting position.
   3. As you exhale, pull the machine lever as far as possible to the back of your thighs by flexing at the knees. Keep your torso stationary at all times. Hold the contracted position for a second.
   4. Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in.
   5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
2. Play demonstration

   Progression

   2. Lever Lying Leg Curl

   72% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Lever
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder version that still works the hamstrings.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine to fit your body and select the desired weight.
   2. Lie face down on the machine with your legs straight and your heels against the padded lever.
   3. Grasp the handles or the sides of the machine for stability.
   4. Keeping your upper body stationary, exhale and curl your legs up as far as possible without lifting your hips off the pad.
   5. Hold the contracted position for a brief pause as you squeeze your hamstrings.
   6. Inhale and slowly lower the lever back to the starting position.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
3. 

   3. Lying Leg Curls

   71% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Machine
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and lie face down on the leg curl machine with the pad of the lever on the back of your legs (just a few inches under the calves). Tip: Preferably use a leg curl machine that is angled as opposed to flat since an angled position is more favorable for hamstrings recruitment.
   2. Keeping the torso flat on the bench, ensure your legs are fully stretched and grab the side handles of the machine. Position your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances described on the foot positioning section). This will be your starting position.
   3. As you exhale, curl your legs up as far as possible without lifting the upper legs from the pad. Once you hit the fully contracted position, hold it for a second.
   4. As you inhale, bring the legs back to the initial position. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
4. Play demonstration

   Progression

   4. Lever Kneeling Leg Curl

   71% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Lever
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine to fit your body and select the desired weight.
   2. Kneel on the machine facing downwards, with your knees resting on the pad and your feet secured under the footpads.
   3. Grasp the handles or the sides of the machine for stability.
   4. Keeping your upper body stationary, exhale and curl your legs up towards your glutes by flexing your knees.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, squeezing your hamstrings.
   6. Inhale and slowly lower your legs back to the starting position, fully extending your knees.
   7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: kneeling, not seated
5. Play demonstration

   Progression

   5. Lever Lying Two-one Leg Curl

   68% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Lever
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   Pick this when you want a harder single-leg version that still works the hamstrings.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Adjust the machine to fit your body and sit on it with your back against the backrest.
   2. Place your legs on the lever pad, just above your ankles.
   3. Grasp the handles on the sides of the machine for support.
   4. Keeping your upper body still, exhale and curl your legs up towards your glutes.
   5. Pause for a moment at the top, then inhale and slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.
   6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
6. Play demonstration

   6. Standing Single Leg Curl

   68% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips.
   2. Shift your weight onto your left leg and lift your right foot off the ground, bending your knee.
   3. Slowly curl your right heel towards your glutes, squeezing your hamstring.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your right foot back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch legs.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

   Why this matches

   • Movement: curl, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a machine
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Lever Seated Leg Curl
7. Play demonstration

   7. Assisted Prone Hamstring

   67% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Machine
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie face down on a mat or bench with your legs fully extended.
   2. Have a partner or use a resistance band to secure your ankles.
   3. Engage your hamstrings and lift your legs towards your glutes, keeping your knees straight.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
8. 

   8. Reverse Hyperextension

   67% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Machine
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Place your feet between the pads after loading an appropriate weight. Lay on the top pad, allowing your hips to hang off the back, while grasping the handles to hold your position.
   2. To begin the movement, flex the hips, pulling the legs forward.
   3. Reverse the motion by extending the hips, kicking the leg back. It is very important not to over-extend the hip on this movement, stopping short of your full range of motion.
   4. Return by again flexing the hip, pulling the carriage forward as far as you can.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
9. 

   9. Seated Band Hamstring Curl

   65% match

   • Hamstrings
   • Band
   • Beginner
   • Isolation

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Secure a band close to the ground and place a bench a couple feet away from it.
   2. Seat yourself on the bench and secure the band behind your ankles, beginning with your legs straight. This will be your starting position.
   3. Flex the knees, bringing your feet towards the bench. You may need to lean back slightly to keep your feet from striking the floor.
   4. Pause at the completion of the movement, and then slowly return to the starting position.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: hamstrings, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
   • Equipment: a band, not a machine
   • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
10. Play demonstration

    Progression

    10. Lever Hip Extension

    64% match

    • Glutes
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Adjust the machine to fit your body and sit on it with your back against the backrest.
    2. Place your feet on the footrests and grip the handles for stability.
    3. Engage your glutes and hamstrings, then push against the footrests to extend your hips and raise your legs backward.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your legs back to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches

    • Primary muscle: glutes, not hamstrings
    • Equipment: a machine, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Lever Seated Leg Curl