Wall Sits Are Incredible for Your Quads—Here's How to Do Them

One of the perhaps underutilized strength workouts for the quads is the wall sit—an isometric exercise that will test your lower-body endurance. As with every exercise, form is crucial in order to reap the benefits and avoid unwanted injury. With this in mind, read on to discover everything you need to know about wall sits, including how to modify for added intensity.

How to Perform the Wall Sit

In order to perfect your wall sit, start by setting your body in the correct position. “The key components for getting into this isometric posture is to bring your feet hip-width apart, maintain a neutral spine, and sit down until you reach a 90-degree bend at the knee,” explains fitness expert and coach Tara Lyn Emerson. “Also important to avoid is the knee going behind the heel of the foot or in front of the toes."

Below, Noom Associate Coach Program Manager Nandini Collins shares a step-by-step guide to master your wall sit:

1. Place your back flat against the wall and ensure both the lower and upper back are in contact with the surface.  
2. With the feet hip-width apart, walk about two feet away from the wall while maintaining contact with your back against the wall.
3. Tighten your abdominal muscles, shift your weight to your heels (to protect the knees), and inhale as you slide down the wall until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Arms can be placed at the side, palms against the wall, crossed in front, or held out in front of the body.
4. While holding this isometric/static position, make sure there are two 90-degree angles similar to a chair—one at the knees and the other at the hips. Continue to breathe normally and engage the abdominals, maintain your weight in your heels, and hold the position, preferably building up a few seconds with each attempt until there is a burning sensation. As a starting point, aim for 30–60 seconds.
5. Slide back up the wall back to standing.

“It’s important to note that a burning sensation should be distinguished from pain, which feels like a sharp stab,” explains Collins. Stop the exercise immediately if any pain sets in.

What Muscles Are Worked?

Wall sits target many muscles in the leg, making it an incredible lower-body exercise. “This works out primarily the quads (front of thighs), but it also recruits the calves, glutes, and core muscles," says Emerson. Beyond this, the wall sit is also meant to work the hamstrings and even the adductor muscles—those of the inner thigh.

"The exercise builds muscular strength, endurance, and stability for the lower body,” says Collins. She adds: “When performed properly and mindfully, you can also incorporate more muscle groups, including the core.” This improved core strength and stability brings better control over your body to react with efficient movement, both on the gym floor and in everyday life.

Modifications

• Decrease the intensity by holding a 45-degree angle to lessen the pressure on the knees.
• Slide up and down the wall to turn the exercise from an isometric hold into a dynamic movement which reduces the intensity.
• Hold the exercise for shorter bursts of time, rather than an extended period.

Variations

• Place a stability ball behind the back and squat up and down with your back against the ball.
• Target the glute muscles with a band by performing abduction pulses.
• Add a weighted plate on top of the thighs to build on your strength.
• Change the foot stance from narrow to wide and point the toes out to work the inner thighs.
• Try a single leg wall sit to work on individual leg strength.
• Squeeze a ball between the knees to work the adductor muscles.
• Perform upper-body exercises and compound movements including an overhead press, front raise, lateral raise, or biceps curls while maintaining a wall sit position.

Safety Considerations

Given the low impact and adaptability of this exercise, wall sits are generally suitable for most of the general population. “In fact, for those suffering from lower-back pain while performing squats, the wall sit is actually a great alternative for added support,” notes Emerson. However, there are safety considerations. "If you are taking this exercise to your absolute limit (i.e., "until failure"), I do suggest having a ball underneath you so you can slide down the wall to sit instead of trying to get up under extreme fatigue," says Emerson.

In some cases, wall sits should be avoided altogether, specifically for those with lower-body injuries or recovering from surgeries. “This is especially true for those who have undergone surgery on the knees, hips, or ankles. They should not perform wall sits until their physicians or physical therapists have cleared them to do so,” states Collins. “Once they're cleared by a medical professional, wall sits are a great rehabilitation exercise to continue the healing process from injuries and to regain strength and endurance in the lower body.”

The Takeaway

Wall sits are a strength-, endurance-, and stability-building exercise which stimulates many lower-body muscles at the one time. To perform a wall sit with proper form, ensure feet are hip-width apart, weight is shifted to the heels, the back is in contact with the wall, and the abdominal muscles are engaged. While wall sits are an exemplary exercise for building strength, improving endurance, and working on the core, they aren’t suitable for those recovering from lower-body injuries or surgeries. However, they are a helpful rehabilitative exercise, as well as a great addition to your workout, given the variations that challenge your strength and endurance.