Analysis Version
v1
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assertion
Analysis v1
Strong Support

Leg extensions make the front thigh muscle grow more than squats because squats don’t let that muscle work as hard.

54
Pro
0
Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (3)

54

Community contributions welcome

54

Drop-Set Training Elicits Differential Increases in Non-Uniform Hypertrophy of the Quadriceps in Leg Extension Exercise

Randomized Controlled Trial
Human
2021 Aug 29

This study showed that doing leg extensions (knee-only exercises) made the rectus femoris muscle grow more than other exercises, which supports the idea that isolated moves are better for this muscle than moves that also use the hip.

48

Comparison of Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength Adaptations Induced by Back Squat and Leg Extension Resistance Exercises.

Randomized Controlled Trial
Human
2025 Dec 12

The study found that doing leg extensions (kicking your leg out while sitting) made the front thigh muscle grow more than doing squats, because squats involve the hip too and don’t work that muscle as hard.

31

Hypertrophic Effects of Single- versus Multi-Joint Exercise: A Direct Comparison Between Knee Extension and Leg Press.

Randomized Controlled Trial
Human
2026 Feb 5

The study found that doing leg extensions (knee-only moves) made the rectus femoris muscle grow much more than doing leg presses (which also use the hips), because the hip movement in leg presses doesn’t let the rectus femoris work as hard.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Similar Assertions

Bi-articular muscles, such as the rectus femoris, exhibit reduced force production during compound movements that demand simultaneous hip and knee extension due to active insufficiency.

0
0
80%

Different leg exercises make different parts of your thigh muscles bigger — leg extensions grow the front part, squats grow the lower outer part.

48
0
78%

Doing leg extensions (kicking your leg out while sitting) makes the front thigh muscle right above your knee grow more than doing leg presses (pushing a heavy platform with both legs).

61
0
77%

If you want to make the front part of your thigh (rectus femoris) bigger, leg extensions work better than leg presses — after 12 weeks, leg extensions made it grow 12% more than leg presses did.

31
0
76%

Leg extensions make the whole front of your thigh muscle grow evenly, while squats mainly make the middle part of a different thigh muscle grow.

41
0
75%

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