Resisted Knee Extension

This exercise is resisted knee extension and helps to strengthen the muscles on the front of your thigh, the quadriceps.

Start with wrapping or tying a resistance band around the leg of a chair and then around the ankle of the leg you will be working. Keep the other foot on the floor and slowly straighten the knee of the leg which the band is wrapped around, so your foot comes off the floor. Your aim is to straighten your knee so that your knee is locked out into full extension. From this position slowly return to the start. Make sure you are in control of the movement and that you don’t simply let your foot drop to the floor. Aim to complete the reps and sets suggested in your rehab programme. If you find using the band is too awkward, you can also use ankle weights instead.

If you find this exercise difficult you can reduce the tension in the band, swap to a band with less resistance, or simply remove the band. You could also try and perform the Inner Range Quads exercise which may be more suitable. Equally if you find it too easy you can increase the tension in the band, or swap the band for one with more resistance, or you may need to progress onto the sit to stand, or squat exercise. We have videos showing both these alternative exercises for you to watch on our channel.