Lower Body Muscles
Learn the major muscle groups of the hips, thighs, legs, and feet that support the body's weight and power walking and running.
Hips and thighs
The gluteal muscles extend and stabilize the hip, while the large muscles of the thigh — the quadriceps in front and the hamstrings behind — work as an opposing pair to extend and flex the knee.
The muscles of the back of the body
This posterior view shows the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and calf muscles that power hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle movement.
Gluteus maximus
The body's largest muscle extends and laterally rotates the hip during walking, running, and climbing.
Quadriceps femoris
This group of four muscles on the front of the thigh works together to extend the knee.
Hamstrings
The hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh flex the knee and help extend the hip.
Gastrocnemius & soleus
These calf muscles plantar-flex the ankle, lifting the heel during walking and running.
Legs and feet
Below the knee, the gastrocnemius and soleus form the calf and work together to lift the heel during walking and running, while dozens of small intrinsic muscles in the foot fine-tune balance and support the arches.
Built to carry the body's weight
Because they support body weight and generate the force for walking, running, and jumping, lower-body muscles tend to be larger and more powerful than their upper-body counterparts.
Lower body muscles carry the body's full weight.
Every step relies on the hip, thigh, and calf muscles working together to support body weight while propelling the body forward.