Legs

(Week 8, Health & Strength Split)
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Day Overview

This day targets overall lower body strength and stability, focusing on compound movements to support mobility and joint health. The exercises are chosen to maximize mechanical tension and muscular endurance, crucial for aging support and nimbleness.

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 6-8 reps with an RPE of 8-9, focusing on controlled descent and explosive drive upward. Use a safety squat bar if available for shoulder comfort. Prioritize proper form to protect joints and maximize muscle engagement, supporting long-term mobility and strength.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Leg Press

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

    Prescribed Sets:

    Complete 3 sets of 10-12 reps at an RPE of 8, emphasizing slow, controlled movement to increase mechanical tension. Keep feet shoulder-width to evenly target quads, hamstrings, and glutes, supporting overall stability and strength.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Romanian Deadlift

    Focus on hamstring engagement by lowering the barbell with a slight knee bend while keeping the back straight.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 8 reps with an RPE of 8, focusing on hip hinge and maintaining a neutral spine. This exercise enhances posterior chain strength, vital for supporting aging joints and improving nimbleness.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Calf Raises (Standing or Seated)

    Stand upright with feet hip-width apart, ensuring balance. For standing calf raises, lift your heels off the ground by pushing through the balls of your feet, engaging your calf muscles, then slowly lower back down. For seated calf raises, sit on a bench or chair with feet flat on the ground, place weight on your knees if desired, then raise your heels by pushing through the balls of your feet, and lower back down slowly. Keep your knees slightly bent or straight depending on variation. Maintain a controlled movement, avoid bouncing, and focus on squeezing the calf muscles at the top of the movement.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Execute 3 sets of 15 reps at an RPE of 8, emphasizing full range of motion and controlled tempo to support ankle stability and mobility.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Glute Kickback Machine

    To perform the glute kickback on the machine, start by adjusting the machine to fit your height. Position yourself facing the machine with your knees on the padded platform and your feet resting on the footrest. Secure your knees under the padded lever. Begin the exercise by extending one leg straight back, keeping your knee slightly bent and your foot flexed. Focus on squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Slowly return to the starting position without letting the weight rest completely. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions before switching to the other leg. Maintain a neutral spine throughout the movement and avoid arching your back.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 12 reps per leg with an RPE of 8, focusing on controlled contraction to strengthen glutes and improve hip stability, aiding agility.

    Working Sets:

    3

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