Lower Body Power and Tendon Resilience

(Week 2, Power Sprint Program)
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Day Overview

This session emphasizes building leg strength, explosive power, and tendon health to enhance speed and injury prevention. The focus is on heavy compound lifts for maximal strength, complemented by accessory work targeting Achilles and tendon support, as well as stability exercises to bulletproof the shoulders and legs. The workout integrates explosive movements and controlled hypertrophy to support football performance, with an aggressive intensity to push strength gains while safeguarding joint health.

Exercises

  • Back Squat (Safety Squat Bar)

    The Back Squat with a Safety Squat Bar involves placing the specialized barbell with padding across the upper back and shoulders. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly pointed outward. Keep your chest up, core engaged, and maintain a neutral spine. Initiate the movement by hinging at the hips and bending the knees to lower your hips downward and backward, as if sitting into a chair. Descend until your thighs are parallel to the ground or slightly below, ensuring knees track over toes. Push through your heels to return to the starting position, maintaining proper form throughout. The Safety Squat Bar's design reduces stress on the shoulders and allows for a more upright torso, making it suitable for individuals with shoulder or wrist limitations. It primarily targets the quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles, with emphasis on maintaining stability and proper alignment during the movement.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Begin with a warm-up set, then perform 4 working sets of 4-6 reps at high intensity (RPE 8-9) to maximize strength development. Use the safety squat bar to reduce shoulder strain and improve joint safety. Focus on controlled descent and explosive upward drive to enhance power transfer. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets to maintain high intensity and allow full recovery for each heavy lift.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Romanian Deadlift

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

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 4 sets of 6-8 reps with a focus on hamstring and glute engagement, RPE 8. Use a barbell or dumbbells, emphasizing a slow eccentric to strengthen tendons and improve flexibility. Keep the back flat and core tight. Rest 2-3 minutes between sets to support heavy lifting and tendon resilience.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • 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:

    Complete 3 sets of 12-15 steps per leg at a challenging weight, RPE 8. Focus on controlled movement to improve balance, hip stability, and Achilles strength. Use dumbbells for added load, maintaining upright torso. Rest 1.5-2 minutes between sets to sustain intensity.

    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 4 sets of 15-20 reps with a slow eccentric phase, RPE 8. Use bodyweight or hold dumbbells for added resistance. Focus on full range of motion and pause at the top to maximize Achilles and calf tendon strengthening. Rest 1-2 minutes between sets.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Hip Abduction Machine

    To perform the hip abduction machine exercise, sit on the machine with your back against the padded support. Adjust the seat height and backrest to ensure comfort and proper alignment. Place your legs inside the padded levers, ensuring that your knees are aligned with the pivot point of the machine. Grip the handles or the sides of the seat for stability. Begin the movement by pushing your legs outward against the resistance, focusing on squeezing your glutes and outer thighs. Keep your feet flexed and avoid arching your back. Slowly return to the starting position while maintaining control. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Execute 3 sets of 12-15 reps at a moderate to high load, RPE 7-8. This supports hip stability and injury prevention, especially for the pelvis and tendons. Focus on controlled movement and squeezing at the top. Rest 1-1.5 minutes between sets.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Reverse Hyperextension

    Use a specialized machine to work the posterior chain by raising your legs from a prone position.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 10-12 reps, RPE 8. This exercise enhances posterior chain strength and promotes tendon resilience in the lower back and hamstrings. Keep movement controlled, focusing on glute and hamstring activation. Rest 1.5 minutes between sets.

    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 a plank position and alternate tapping each shoulder for 20 reps per side, RPE 7. This improves core stability and shoulder joint integrity, supporting bulletproof shoulders. Maintain a neutral spine and minimize hip movement. Rest 1 minute between sets.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Ab Wheel Rollout

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

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 8-12 reps, RPE 8. Focus on controlled extension and retraction to strengthen core and improve overall stability, aiding in injury prevention. Keep hips stable and avoid sagging. Rest 1-1.5 minutes between sets.

    Working Sets:

    3

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