Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling)
The Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) is an isolation movement that targets the glutes directly. This guide covers the setup, the execution, the mistakes worth fixing early, and how to program it.
Driving the hips into extension against resistance is the most direct way to load the glutes. Unlike a squat, peak tension lands at the top — where the glutes are shortest and best able to produce force — which is what makes it such an efficient glute builder.
Who it is for. Anyone training glutes or hip power, from beginner to advanced. It sits well mid-session, after your main squat or hinge.
Muscles worked
The prime mover here is the glutes, with hamstrings assisting — which is why this movement earns its place as more than a single-muscle exercise.
- Gluteus maximus100%
- Biceps femoris50%
- Semitendinosus50%
How to do it
- Set your upper back against a bench or the floor so your shoulders can pivot freely, and place your bodyweight across your hips.
- Plant your feet flat, about shoulder-width, close enough that your shins finish vertical at the top of the rep.
- Tuck your ribs down and your chin slightly in, so your lower back stays neutral instead of arching.
- Drive through your heels and push your hips straight up until your torso and thighs form a straight line.
- Squeeze the glutes hard at the top and hold for a beat — this is the whole point of the movement.
- Lower under control until just before the load touches down, then go straight into the next rep.
Breathing. Breathe in on the way down, brace, and breathe out as you lock the hips out at the top.
Form cues that matter
- Finish with the hips, not the lower back — ribs stay down.
- Shins vertical at lockout; move your feet if they are not.
- Pause at the top of every rep, not just the first.
- Arching the lower back to reach "full" extension
- Feet placed too far out, so the hamstrings take over
Common mistakes
| The mistake | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Arching the lower back to reach "full" extension | Keep your ribs pulled down and stop at a straight line from knee to shoulder. |
| Feet placed too far out, so the hamstrings take over | Walk your feet in until your shins are vertical at the top. |
| Bouncing off the bottom | Control the descent and pause an inch off the floor before driving back up. |
What makes this variation different
The Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) is a specific version of this movement, and the details in its name change how it should be performed.
- Using only your bodyweight means you can train anywhere, and it keeps the whole body involved in stabilising the movement. Progress comes from leverage, range and reps rather than from adding plates.
- Kneeling shortens your base and takes the legs out of the drive, which forces the midsection to work harder and stops you from using your hips to cheat the load up.
- Keeping the legs nearly straight lengthens the hamstrings through the movement, which makes this a stretch-focused variation. Stop the descent the moment your lower back begins to round.
Sets, reps and rest
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3-5 | 5-8 | 90-150 s |
| Muscle growth | 3-4 | 8-15 | 90-150 s |
| Endurance | 2-3 | 15-25 | 90-150 s |
- 8-16Weekly sets
- 2-1-1Tempo
- 90-150 sRest
How to progress
Add weight before you add reps. Work at the top of your rep range for two sessions in a row with clean technique, then put the smallest increment available on the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) and build back up. Small, boring jumps beat big ones.
Variations and alternatives
If you do not have the equipment, or you simply want to rotate the stimulus, these 8 movements train the glutes in a similar way.
- Barbell Hip Thrust — Barbell
- Band Bent Over Hip Extension — Resistance band
- Band Standing Hip Extension — Resistance band
- Barbell Glute Bridge (Hands on Bar) — Barbell
- Bent Leg Kickback (Kneeling) — Bodyweight
- Dumbbell Glute Bridge — Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Single Leg Glute Bridge — Dumbbell
- Dumbbell Superman — Dumbbell
Safety
Key takeaways
- Finish with the hips, not the lower back — ribs stay down.
- Shins vertical at lockout; move your feet if they are not.
- Work in the 8-15 rep range for muscle growth, leaving a rep or two in reserve on most sets.
- Full range of motion on the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) matters more than the weight on it.
- Progress gradually and keep technique identical as the load goes up.
Go deeper
FAQ
What muscles does the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) work?
It works the glutes as the prime mover, with hamstrings assisting. The midsection also works throughout to keep you stable.
How many sets and reps should I do on the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling)?
Three to four working sets of 8-15 reps suits most people training for muscle growth, leaving one or two reps in reserve. Across all the exercises that train this muscle, 8-16 hard sets a week is a productive range.
Is the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) good for beginners?
Yes, provided you start light enough to own the technique. Spend the first few weeks on the movement itself with a load you could do several more reps with, and add weight only once the pattern is automatic.
What can I do instead of the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling)?
Barbell Hip Thrust, Band Bent Over Hip Extension and Band Standing Hip Extension all train the glutes in a similar way, so any of them works as a substitute when the equipment is taken or you want to rotate the stimulus.
What equipment do I need for the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling)?
This version uses your bodyweight. The pattern matters more than the tool, though — the alternatives above cover the same movement with whatever you have available.
Track your sets, reps and progress on the Straight Leg Kickback (Kneeling) — free, with every exercise in the library.