Legs
(Week 6, Muscle Max Split)Day Overview
This leg day prioritizes hypertrophy through high-volume compound and isolation movements. Heavy squats and presses build overall mass, while accessory work targets hamstrings, glutes, and calves. Drop sets and rest-pause techniques are incorporated to push past fatigue and stimulate muscle growth. Focus on strict form and controlled tempo to maximize tension and minimize injury risk.
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:
4 sets of 8-10 reps at RPE 8-9, controlled descent and explosive ascent. Rest 90 seconds.
Working Sets:
4
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• Leg Press
Sit on the leg press machine and push the platform with your legs to extend your knees.
Prescribed Sets:
4 sets of 10-12 reps at RPE 8, focus on full range and slow eccentric. Rest 90 seconds.
Working Sets:
4
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• Romanian Deadlift
Focus on hamstring engagement by lowering the barbell with a slight knee bend while keeping the back straight.
Prescribed Sets:
4 sets of 8-10 reps at RPE 8, emphasizing hamstring stretch and glute activation. Rest 90 seconds.
Working Sets:
4
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• Walking Lunges
Begin by standing upright with feet hip-width apart. Step forward with your right foot, lowering your hips until both knees are bent at about 90 degrees. Keep your torso upright and your front knee aligned over your ankle. Push through the heel of your front foot to stand up and bring your back foot forward into the next lunge position, stepping ahead into a new lunge. Continue alternating legs in a walking motion, maintaining proper form throughout. Keep your core engaged, shoulders back, and avoid letting your front knee go past your toes.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 12 reps per leg at RPE 8, controlled pace. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Seated Calf Raises
Sit on the calf raise machine with your feet positioned on the foot platform, ensuring the balls of your feet are supported. Place your thighs under the padded lever. Push through the balls of your feet to raise your heels as high as possible, squeezing your calves at the top. Slowly lower your heels back down to the starting position, feeling the stretch in your calves. Keep your knees stationary throughout the movement, and avoid using momentum by controlling the movement with your calf muscles.
Prescribed Sets:
4 sets of 15-20 reps at RPE 8, slow tempo for maximum stretch and contraction. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
4
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• 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:
3 sets of 12-15 reps per leg at RPE 8, focus on glute squeeze. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Ab Crunch Machine
Sit on the crunch machine with your back flat against the pad and feet secured under the foot pads. Place your hands behind your head or across your chest. Engage your core and curl your upper body forward by contracting your abdominal muscles, bringing your chest closer to your knees. Keep your neck in a neutral position and avoid pulling on your neck with your hands. Exhale as you crunch, then slowly return to the starting position while inhaling. Maintain controlled movement throughout to maximize engagement of the abdominal muscles.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 15-20 reps at RPE 8, controlled crunch with full contraction. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3
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• Reverse Hyperextensions
To perform reverse hyperextensions, lie face down on a hyperextension bench with your hips positioned at the edge. Secure your legs under the pads or supports. Keep your arms crossed over your chest or behind your head. Engage your glutes and lower back muscles to lift your legs and hips upward, extending your hips and legs behind you in a controlled manner. Avoid using momentum; focus on muscle engagement. Slowly lower your legs back to the starting position, maintaining control throughout. Keep your neck in a neutral position and avoid overarching your lower back during the movement.
Prescribed Sets:
3 sets of 12-15 reps at RPE 8, focus on glutes and lower back. Rest 60 seconds.
Working Sets:
3