Vastus Intermedius

Composing some of the central mass of the front of the thigh, the vastus intermedius is a muscle which is one of four which together are referred to as the quadriceps, and commonly responsible for extension of the knee.

For those with injuries to the upper body or back, the leg extension will likely be the best suited exercise to directly stimulate the vastus medialis, and has the added benefit of allowing for isolateral training.

The squat is often seen as the main lower body exercise, recruiting the majority of the lower body muscles is one compound movement. This exercise may not be suitable for those who suffer from lower back issues, or have any upper body injuries, and the leg extension may provide a more suitable quadriceps exercise in such a situation.

When training for muscular size it is often best to train in a rep range of 6-12 repetitions, although there is often much debate on the optimal rep range. It would be advisable to experiment with different ranges to see which suits you.

Vastus Intermedius courtesy of Fitness Uncovered - Bodybuilding & Fitness

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