The Quadriceps are a group of four muscles that sit on the anterior or front side of the thigh.  They are the Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris.  The Quadriceps attach to the front of the tibia and originate at the top of the femur.  The exception to this is the Rectus Femoris which actually crosses the hip joint and originates on the pelvis.   The function of the Quadriceps as a whole is to extend the knee (straighten the knee).  The Rectus Femoris functions to extend the knee but also acts as a hip flexor because it crosses the hip joint. 

Exercises that work the Quadriceps include Leg extensions,  Leg press, Lunges, Squats etc

The Quadriceps are a group of four muscles that sit on the anterior or front side of the thigh.  They are the Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, Vastus Lateralis and Rectus Femoris.  The Quadriceps attach to the front of the tibia and originate at the top of the femur.  The exception to this is the Rectus Femoris which actually crosses the hip joint and originates on the pelvis.   The function of the Quadriceps as a whole is to extend the knee (straighten the knee).  The Rectus Femoris functions to extend the knee but also acts as a hip flexor because it crosses the hip joint. 

Exercises that work the Quadriceps include Leg extensions,  Leg press, Lunges, Squats etc

The Hamstrings are made up of three separate muscles: the Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus.  These muscles originate just underneath the Gluteus Maximus on the pelvic bone and attach on the tibia.  The Hamstrings are primarily fast-twitch muscles, responding to low reps and powerful movements.  The primary functions of the Hamstrings are knee flexion (bringing the heel towards the buttocks) and hip extension (moving the leg to the rear).  An example of knee flexion is the leg curl exercise and an example of hip extension is the stiff-legged deadlift exercise. 

Exercises that work the Hamstrings include Leg curls,  Lunges, Stiff-legged deadlifts, Standing leg curls, Squats etc

The Hamstrings are made up of three separate muscles: the Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus.  These muscles originate just underneath the Gluteus Maximus on the pelvic bone and attach on the tibia.  The Hamstrings are primarily fast-twitch muscles, responding to low reps and powerful movements.  The primary functions of the Hamstrings are knee flexion (bringing the heel towards the buttocks) and hip extension (moving the leg to the rear).  An example of knee flexion is the leg curl exercise and an example of hip extension is the stiff-legged deadlift exercise. 

Exercises that work the Hamstrings include Leg curls,  Lunges, Stiff-legged deadlifts, Standing leg curls, Squats etc