What Muscle(s) Do These Exercises Work Out?

Becky Stigall

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

We all know that exercise is good for us. But it's not always easy to understand which exercise targets which muscles. Take this quiz to see if you know what muscles are worked out by doing what exercises.

Crunches work out which muscles?

The abdominal muscles are composed of three layers: the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscles.

Leg Extensions work out which muscles?

Leg extensions work out the quads. Quadriceps muscles are located at the front of the thigh.

Biceps Curls work out which muscles?

Biceps Curls work the biceps, which are also called biceps brachii. Biceps help flex the elbow.

Bent Knee Push-Ups help work out which muscles?

Bent Knee Push Ups especially help tone the triceps muscles. The triceps muscle is located on the back of the upper arms.

Dumbbell Presses work out which muscles?

Dumbbell Presses work out the chest and shoulders, including the deltoid muscles. The deltoid muscles form the rounded part of the shoulder.

Leg raises work out which muscles?

The abdominal muscles work to help us breathe and help protect the internal organs of the abdomen.

Leg Presses work out which muscles?

Leg Presses are a great way to work out both the quadriceps muscles and the gluteus maximus. This exercise also benefits the hamstrings.

Dumbbell Curls tone which muscles?

Dumbbell Curls work out the biceps muscles. Biceps play a minor role in shoulder function.

Squats work out which muscles?

Squats work out the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calf muscles.

Downward Facing Dog works out which muscles?

Downward Facing Dog is a full body exercise that benefits the hamstrings, glutes, triceps and trapezius muscles.

Seated Twists work out which muscles?

The oblique muscles are part of the abdominal wall. This exercise can help you get rid of love handles.

Preacher Curls work out which muscles?

Preacher Curls help tone the biceps muscles. Big biceps are a sign of strength in many different cultures.

Bicycling works out which muscles?

Biking works out the quads, hamstrings, glutes and the heart, providing an excellent cardio workout.

Reverse Bridges work out which muscles?

Reverse Bridges benefit the glutes and the hamstrings. Glutes are also called buttocks muscles.

Stationary Rowing helps tone which muscles?

Stationary Rowing is a full body workout. It helps provide aerobic benefits in addition to toning several sets of large muscle groups.

Triceps Stretches benefit which muscles?

Triceps Stretches benefit the triceps. The triceps help extend the elbow joint.

Rear Shoulder Rows work out what muscles?

Rear Shoulder Rows work out the rear delts, which are technically called the posterior delts.

Running works out what muscles?

Running is a full-body workout that benefits the heart, quads, hamstrings, glutes, calves and even the abs.

Calf Raises work out which muscles?

Calf raises specifically target the calf muscles. Calf muscles take a bit more intensity to train because they are fast twitch muscles.

Hip Raises benefit what muscles?

Hip Raises work out the glutes and the hamstrings. This exercise is also good for the quads and the erector spinae.

Incline Push-Ups work out which muscles?

Incline Push-Ups work out the pectoralis major muscles. These muscles make up the majority of the male chest muscles.

Bent Over Twists help work out which muscles?

The obliques are part of the abdominal muscle group. Abdominal muscles help provide postural support to the body.

Cable Pushdowns work out which muscles?

Cable Pushdowns give the triceps a workout. Triceps are antagonist muscles to the biceps.

Elliptical Training works out which muscles?

Elliptical training is a full-body exercise that works out the heart, quads, hamstrings, glutes and many upper-body muscles.

Hip Abductions work out which muscles?

Hip Abductions work out the glutes, the tensor fasciae latae, the hip flexors and the hip adductors.

Lunges work out which muscles?

Lunges are great for the quads. This exercise also benefits the glutes and the hamstrings.

Chest Presses work out which muscles?

Chest Presses work out the pecs. The pecs are located under the breast tissue on women.

Triceps Extensions work out which muscles?

The triceps can be worked out via extensions, either weighted or not. Using bands is a great way to introduce tension.

Lateral Raises work out which muscles?

The deltoid muscles are worked via lateral raises. This exercise also benefits the trapezius muscles.

Deadlifts work out which muscles?

Deadlifts work out the glutes. This exercise also benefits the hamstrings and the erector spinae.

Walking works out what muscles?

Walking also benefits the heart, the calves and the abs.

Bench Presses work out which muscles?

Bench Presses work out the pecs. This exercise also benefits the triceps and the anterior delts.

Reverse Chest Flies work out which muscles?

The deltoid muscles benefit from reverse chest fly exercises. This exercise will also work out the traps.

Stair Climbers work out which muscles?

Remember, the heart is a muscle and you have to give it a workout, too!

The Overhead Press benefits which muscles?

The overhead press specifically works out the anterior deltoid muscles. Anterior delts may also be called front delts.

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