All Glossary Terms
Anatomy
Anterior Chain
The group of muscles running along the front of the body, including the quads, hip flexors, abs, and chest.
The anterior chain encompasses the muscles on the front of the body: tibialis anterior, quadriceps, hip flexors, rectus abdominis, obliques, pectorals, and anterior deltoids. These muscles are responsible for knee extension, hip flexion, trunk flexion, and pushing movements. While important, the anterior chain is often overdeveloped relative to the posterior chain in recreational lifters, leading to postural imbalances. Balanced programming should address both chains equally.
Examples
- Squats emphasising quadriceps
- Bench press for chest and anterior deltoids
- Leg raises for hip flexors and abs
Related Terms
Exercises that train the quadriceps
148 exercises in the library target the quadriceps as their primary muscle.