All about the Standing Quad Stretch
(Pilates)
BENEFITS & MUSCLES WORKED: Quadriceps, knee, and hip support.
Watch: my Standing Quad Stretch video
START POSITION: Stand with feet hip-width apart and lift one foot behind you whilst grabbing the ankle with one hand. Keep looking forward and slightly upwards. Arching your back slightly by moving your hip back will provide a better stretch. Keep your front foot flat on the floor, and ensure your front knee is slightly bent (not locked out).
NOTES: Difficulty Rating: 32%
This exercise is one of the best old-school fundamental stretching mainstays in athletics. It has been used for many decades by runners, football players, and gymnasts as part of their crucial warm-up and preparation routines.
If you arch your back slightly and lift your head, you should get a better stretch in your quads. As you get fitter and more supple, you will need this extra Range of Motion.
It is a relatively quick and easy exercise that primarily targets the quadriceps, the second-largest muscle in the human body.
The Standing Quad Stretch offers numerous benefits for injury prevention and enhanced flexibility, primarily because of the muscles’ size and location. Athletic performance, flexibility, and protection against injury (particularly to the knees) will be significantly enhanced by any athlete who incorporates this stretch into their warm-up routines.