Squat and Lower Body

(Week 6, Strength Forge)
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Day Overview

This session focuses on the squat, with high-intensity work to push strength limits. Supportive accessory exercises target weak points such as hips, quads, and core. The volume is moderate, emphasizing proper technique and progressive overload to maximize gains while minimizing fatigue.

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 3-5 reps at an RPE of 9. Prioritize depth, control, and bar path. Increase load gradually each week, resting 3-4 minutes between sets.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Front Squat

    Hold the barbell at shoulder level in front of your body and squat to engage the quadriceps.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 6-8 reps with an RPE of 8-9. Focus on upright torso and quad engagement to support overall squat strength.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Hip Thrusts

    Sit on the ground with your upper back resting against a bench or elevated surface, knees bent at approximately 90 degrees, and feet flat on the floor. Place a weight (such as a barbell or dumbbell) across your hips for added resistance if desired. Drive through your heels to lift your hips upward, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees. Lower your hips back down in a controlled manner, maintaining tension in the glutes throughout. Keep your core engaged and avoid overextending your lower back during the movement.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 8-10 reps at an RPE of 8. Emphasize glute activation to improve hip extension strength.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • 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:

    Perform 3 sets of 12 steps (6 per leg) with bodyweight or light dumbbells, RPE 7-8. Focus on stability and controlled movement.

    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:

    Perform 3 sets of 15-20 reps at RPE 7. Focus on full range of motion and controlled tempo.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Ab Wheel Rollout

    Kneel holding ab wheel, roll forward extending body, roll back contracting abs.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps with an RPE of 8, reinforcing core stability for heavy squatting.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Plank with Shoulder Taps

    Start in a high plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders and your body forming a straight line from head to heels. Engage your core to prevent your hips from sagging or rotating. Keeping your hips stable, lift one hand off the ground and tap the opposite shoulder. Return that hand to the starting position and repeat on the other side. Maintain a steady, controlled movement throughout, focusing on core stability and minimizing torso rotation. Keep your neck neutral and gaze down at the floor.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Hold plank position for 60 seconds, alternating taps, RPE 7-8, to build core stability and shoulder strength.

    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 at RPE 7-8, supporting hip stability and posterior chain development.

    Working Sets:

    3

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