Legs and Back
(Week 6, Athletic Power Surge)Day Overview
This session targets lower body strength and posterior chain explosiveness, combined with back development for overall athletic stability. The focus is on heavy, fast lifts to maximize power output, with accessory work to reinforce muscular balance. The sequence begins with compound lifts to recruit maximum muscle fibers, followed by accessory movements to enhance endurance and resilience.
Exercises
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• Barbell Squats
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, positioning the barbell across your upper back and shoulders. Keep your chest up, core engaged, and back straight. Initiate the movement by hinging at the hips and bending the knees to lower your body as if sitting back into a chair. Keep your knees tracking over your toes and ensure your heels remain flat on the ground. Descend until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly below, then drive through your heels to return to the starting position. Maintain proper posture throughout, avoiding forward leaning or rounding the back. Use the Smith machine or power rack to guide the bar's movement, providing stability and safety during the squat.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 4-6 reps with an RPE of 9, focusing on explosive upward movement and controlled descent. Use a Yoke or Safety Squat Bar if available for stability. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets to maximize power output. Prioritize speed and proper form to develop athletic leg strength.
Working Sets:
4
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• Deadlift
The deadlift is a compound exercise that involves lifting a loaded barbell or bar from the ground to the level of the hips, then lowering it back to the ground. To perform a deadlift, stand with your feet hip-width apart, with the barbell over the middle of your feet. Bend at the hips and knees to grip the bar with your hands just outside your knees. Keep your back straight, chest up, and shoulders back. Engage your core and drive through your heels to lift the bar by extending your hips and knees. Stand fully upright with the barbell in front of your thighs. Reverse the movement to lower the bar back to the ground, maintaining control throughout.
Prescribed Sets:
Execute 3 sets of 4-6 reps at RPE 9, emphasizing explosive hip extension and a controlled lockout. Use a Trap Bar or Barbell. Rest 3 minutes between sets. Focus on maintaining a neutral spine and engaging the posterior chain for maximum power transfer.
Working Sets:
3
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• Pull-Ups
To perform a pull-up, start by hanging from a pull-up bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, palms facing away from you. Engage your core and pull your body upward until your chin is above the bar. Keep your elbows close to your body and avoid swinging or using momentum. Lower yourself back to the starting position with control. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 4 sets of 6-8 reps with an RPE of 8-9, aiming for explosive pull and controlled descent. Use the Assisted Pull-Up Machine if necessary to maintain high effort. Rest 2 minutes between sets. Focus on scapular retraction and full range of motion to build back strength and stability.
Working Sets:
4
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• Bent-Over Barbell Rows
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a barbell with an overhand grip. Bend at the hips while keeping your back flat and core engaged, allowing the barbell to hang at arm's length. Pull the barbell towards your lower chest or upper abdomen by squeezing your back muscles, keeping elbows close to your body. Lower the barbell back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Maintain a slight bend in the knees and avoid rounding your back throughout the movement. Keep your head in line with your spine and avoid using momentum to lift the weight.
Prescribed Sets:
Complete 3 sets of 6-8 reps at RPE 8-9, emphasizing explosive pull and tight core. Use a barbell or T-Bar Row Machine. Rest 2-3 minutes. Maintain a flat back and engage lats to maximize posterior chain activation.
Working Sets:
3
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• Back Extension
Perform a back extension to strengthen the lower back and glutes.
Prescribed Sets:
Perform 3 sets of 8-10 reps with RPE 8, focusing on explosive hip extension and controlled lowering. Use the Back Extension Bench. Rest 1.5-2 minutes. This reinforces posterior chain endurance and spinal stability.
Working Sets:
3
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• Battle Ropes
Battle ropes are a form of exercise that involves the use of heavy, thick ropes anchored at one end. To perform the exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and grasp one end of the rope in each hand. Engage your core and maintain a straight back. Begin by rapidly waving the ropes up and down or side to side, creating waves in the ropes. You can vary the intensity and style by changing the speed and amplitude of the waves, or by incorporating movements like slams or spirals. The exercise can be performed for timed intervals or repetitions.
Prescribed Sets:
Execute 4 sets of 20-30 seconds of high-intensity waves with RPE 8-9, emphasizing rapid, explosive movements. Rest 1 minute between sets. This enhances upper body power and conditioning for athletic agility.
Working Sets:
4