5 Best Leg Exercises in the Gym

If you’re looking to build strong, powerful legs, these five best gym exercises target all major muscle groups—quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves—for maximum growth and strength.

1. Barbell Back Squat (Best Overall Leg Builder)
Targets: Quads, glutes, hamstrings, core
The spine should be in a natural position, you need to watch your back so that there are no bends

2. Romanian Deadlift (RDL) (Best for Hamstrings & Glutes)
Targets: Hamstrings, glutes, lower back.

3. Bulgarian Split Squat (Best for Unilateral Strength & Balance) I do reverse lunges as a variation of this exercise.
Targets: Quads, glutes, hamstrings (with less spinal load than barbell squats)

4. Leg Press (Best for Quad Isolation & Heavy Loading)
Targets: Quads (secondary: glutes, hamstrings)

5. Hip Thrust (Best for Glute Activation)
Targets: Glutes (maximus & medius), hamstrings