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July 08, 2021
The vastus lateralis is the largest muscle of the quadriceps so it's crucial to target it when doing leg exercises. Located on the outer thigh this muscle can make your legs look wider and larger. In this article we’ll hone in on the vastus lateralis, giving you 7 of the best exercises and tips to specifically target it, as well as 5 vastus lateralis stretches that you should incorporate into your training routine.
One of the four muscles that comprise the quadriceps, the vastus lateralis is the muscle found on the outer thigh area. The vastus lateralis muscle gets its name from the Latin words Vastus meaning great and Lateralis meaning lateral side. The vastus lateralis muscle is the largest muscle in the quadriceps femoris that produces the most power.
The vastus lateralis muscle starts from flat, wide tendons that are attached to the femur then is affixed to the outside side of the patella. It comes together with the other quadriceps muscles in the quadriceps tendon which then stretches over the knee, connecting them to the tibia. The vastus lateralis forms the lateral wall of the thigh in conjunction with the iliotibial band.
The main function of the vastus lateralis is to extend the knee, moving the lower leg forward. This muscle also helps to stabilize the knee joint and is vital in enabling the body to rise up from a squatting position. Besides providing immense power to the legs the vastus lateralis aids in absorbing impact from movements like walking, running and jumping.
The vastus lateralis on the outer thigh is opposed by the vastus medialis located on the inner thigh. These two muscles work in tandem to stabilize the position of the patella in the femoral groove of the thigh bone. When these two muscles are imbalanced or out of whack knee pain can arise causing patellofemoral stress syndrome (PFSS).
Outer quad sweep simply refers to the shape of the quadriceps but more specifically the vastus lateralis muscle on the outer thigh. The quad outer sweep is a highly sought-after look especially in the sport of bodybuilding where this curved and defined quad can make a big difference in the appearance of the lower body musculature.
Strong and healthy leg muscles have numerous benefits, the vastus lateralis is no exception. We rely on our legs to carry us around day in and day out so it only makes sense that you properly exercise and stretch the largest muscle in the quads.
It’s not exactly possible to only target and isolate the vastus lateralis when doing leg exercises. However, there are tips and tricks that you can do to target the vastus lateralis muscle. To hit the vastus lateralis muscle better during various pressing exercises it’s important to keep your knees closer together and push inwards during the movement while trying to focus on not letting your knees open up. Another tip to target the vastus lateralis is point your toes inwards when doing exercises like leg extensions which puts more stress on the outer thighs.
It's necessary to target the vastus lateralis muscle during leg days because often we focus to much on the other quad muscles like the rectus femoris and vastus medialis. We put together some of the best vastus lateralis exercises that should become part of your training program. Keep this quick tip in mind when doing exercises to hit the vastus lateralis.
Focus on pushing your knees inwards when doing pushing leg exercises like front squat or leg press.
Related: Best Leg Extensions Alternatives
Note: Keep your toes off the platform the entire movement to really target the vastus lateralis.
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What causes a tight vastus lateralis?
Tight vastus lateralis muscles can be attributed to a number of causes but the two most common are overuse or under use. Overuse from walking or running can make the vastus lateralis tighten up especially if you’re not doing any dynamic stretching before exercise or any static stretching after exercising. On the flip side, if you’re sitting at your desk day in day out during work, this inactivity can cause your vastus lateralis to tighten up. The combination of stretching and myofascial release should help to relax the muscle.
How to release the vastus lateralis muscle?
Stretching the vastus lateralis muscle regularly is a great way to counteract tightness. Apart from stretching, trigger point therapy or myofascial release of the vastus lateralis can help to reduce pain. By using trigger point pressure on the tight/painful spots on the muscle you can alleviate pain and tension. This will aid in improving blood flow and circulation into the muscle tissue. A tight vastus lateralis muscle can lead to irritation of the ITB band so using trigger point therapy applying pressure to the trigger points on the outer and front outer thigh can release the muscle.
Related: 10 Best Quad Stretches For Before & After Workouts
The vastus lateralis is a bit tricky to stretch because of its location. It’s not as easy to isolate it compared with the more central rectus femoris. Don’t fret, here are a few you can do at home to stretch the vastus lateralis. Check out these stretches that will help to keep your legs feeling good.
Note: To increase difficulty tilt your pelvis back keeping your chest upright as you lean into the hip. Another variation is to twist at the the hips, reaching back to grab your opposite foot.
4. Hands and Knees Quad Stretch
More Resources on Leg Stretches:
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Tightness in the vastus lateralis can cause knee problems by pulling the patella laterally. This can make everyday activities such as getting up from a chair or waking up the stairs very uncomfortable. The vastus lateralis can become tight because it is one of the most used muscles in the body. Everything from intense workouts to prolonged periods of time sitting can cause this muscle to tighten up.
Another form of vastus lateralis pain can be from a muscle strain (muscle pull or tear). The most common symptoms of muscle strain are:
How do you heal the vastus lateralis?
The quadriceps and hamstrings can be susceptible to muscle strains when the muscle is stretched past its limit or if there is direct trauma to the muscle. The vastus lateralis being the largest muscle in the quads can be a real painful if you experience a muscle strain. There are different degrees of muscle strains ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3, with the latter being the most serious.
To heal muscle strain of the vastus lateralis the most common protocol is the RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation). In general, most doctors would recommend abstaining from exercise for at least three weeks before returning to normal physical activities. As always you should consult with your doctor to follow the best course of action depending on the extent of your injury.
A few precautions to take to reduce your risk of experiencing vastus lateralis pain include:
Final Note
If you want thick, strong thighs then you must start focusing on working the vastus lateralis muscle. And for ladies focusing on sculpting their legs, vastus lateralis moves should be included when programming best exercises for saddlebags. The only way you can start to get the coveted outer thigh sweep look is to actively work on it by targeting the muscles in various ways. Add these vastus lateralis exercises to your leg day routine and make sure to warm up before your workout followed by a cool down so you avoid muscle strains and boost those gains.
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