7 quadriceps exercises that eliminate fat and shape the thighs

Are you looking to tone and strengthen your thighs? Look no further than these 7 quadriceps exercises that you’ll have toned and strong quadriceps in no time.

The quadriceps, or quads for short, are a group of four muscles located on the front of your thigh. These muscles are responsible for extending your knee and are essential for everyday movements like walking, running, and climbing stairs.

Strengthening your quadriceps not only improves your overall leg strength, but it can also help prevent injuries and improve your athletic performance. Additionally, targeting your quadriceps can help eliminate fat quad and shape your thighs, giving you a more toned and defined look.

1. Squats

Squats are a classic exercise that targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. To perform a squat:


  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing forward.
  2. Engage your core and keep your chest lifted.
  3. Slowly lower your body as if you are sitting back into a chair, keeping your weight in your heels.
  4. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  5. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
  6. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.

For an added challenge, you can hold a dumbbell or kettlebell at your chest or perform a jump squat by exploding up from the squat position.

2. Lunges

Lunges are another great exercise for targeting the quadriceps, as well as the glutes and hamstrings. To perform a lunge:

  1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart.
  2. Take a large step forward with your right foot and lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground.
  3. Push through your right heel to return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat on the other side.
  5. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.

For an added challenge, you can hold dumbbells at your sides or perform walking lunges by taking steps forward with each lunge.

3. Leg Press

The leg press machine is a great way to isolate and target the quadriceps. To perform a leg press:

  1. Sit on the leg press machine with your feet shoulder-width apart on the footplate.
  2. Push the footplate away from your body, extending your legs.
  3. Slowly lower the footplate back towards your body, stopping when your knees are at a 90-degree angle.
  4. Push through your heels to return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.


4. Step-Ups

Step-ups are a functional exercise that mimics everyday movements like climbing stairs. To perform a step-up:

  1. Stand in front of a step or bench.
  2. Step up onto the step with your right foot, pushing through your heel.
  3. Bring your left foot up to meet your right foot.
  4. Step back down with your right foot, followed by your left foot.
  5. Repeat on the other side.
  6. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.

For an added challenge, you can hold dumbbells at your sides or perform a jump step-up by exploding up from the step.

5. Wall Sits

Wall sits are a great isometric exercise for targeting the quadriceps. To perform a wall sit:

  1. Stand with your back against a wall and your feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Slowly slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
  3. Hold this position for 30-60 seconds, then push through your heels to return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.


For an added challenge, you can hold a weight or medicine ball at your chest while performing the wall sit.

6. Dumbbell Step-Ups

Dumbbell step-ups are a variation of the step-up exercise that adds an extra challenge by incorporating weights. To perform a dumbbell step-up:

  1. Stand in front of a step or bench with a dumbbell in each hand.
  2. Step up onto the step with your right foot, pushing through your heel.
  3. Bring your left foot up to meet your right foot.
  4. Step back down with your right foot, followed by your left foot.
  5. Repeat on the other side.
  6. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.

7. Bulgarian Split Squats

Bulgarian split squats are a challenging exercise that targets the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. To perform a Bulgarian split squat:

  1. Stand in front of a bench or step with your back to it.
  2. Place the top of your left foot on the bench behind you.
  3. Lower your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground.
  4. Push through your right heel to return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat on the other side.
  6. Repeat 3 sets of 10 reps.

For an added challenge, you can hold dumbbells at your sides or perform a jump Bulgarian split squat by exploding up from the squat position.