Legs

(Week 4, Health & Strength Split)
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Day Overview

This session emphasizes controlled, high-tension movements to develop strength and stability in the lower body, supporting mobility and aging resilience. The focus is on proper form, tempo control, and muscle awareness to reinforce functional movement patterns.

Exercises

  • 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 8-10 reps with an RPE of 8, using a slow eccentric phase over 3 seconds and controlled concentric. Focus on maintaining proper depth and core engagement.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Leg Press

    Sit on the leg press machine and push the platform with your legs to extend your knees.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 4 sets of 10-12 reps with an RPE of 8, emphasizing a controlled descent and explosive push to maximize tension and stability.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • seated leg curl

    seated leg curl machine

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 12-15 reps with an RPE of 7-8, focusing on a slow, controlled curl to target the hamstrings.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Calf Raises (Calf Raise Machine)

    Stand upright on the calf raise machine with your shoulders under the pads and the balls of your feet on the platform. Keep your legs straight but not locked at the knees. Push through the balls of your feet to raise your heels as high as possible, squeezing your calf muscles at the top. Lower your heels slowly back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout the movement. Keep your core engaged and avoid bouncing or using momentum to lift.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 15-20 reps with an RPE of 7-8, emphasizing a slow, controlled raise and pause at the top for maximal tension.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Glute Kickbacks

    To perform glute kickbacks, start on all fours on a mat with your hands directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Engage your core to maintain a neutral spine. Keeping your knee bent at 90 degrees, lift one leg towards the ceiling, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Ensure that your hips remain square to the ground and avoid arching your back. Lower your leg back to the starting position without letting it touch the ground, and repeat for the desired number of repetitions before switching to the other leg.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg with an RPE of 7-8, focusing on controlled movement and glute activation.

    Working Sets:

    3

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