Lower Body Power and Tendon Strength

(Week 6, Power Sprint Program)
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Day Overview

Focused on developing leg strength, explosive power, and tendon resilience, especially in Achilles and knees. Incorporates heavy compound lifts with controlled explosive reps and accessory work to support injury prevention and speed. Emphasizes progressive overload and tendon conditioning.

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:

    Perform 4 sets of 4-6 reps with an RPE of 8-9, focusing on explosive upward movement and controlled descent. Use progressive overload by increasing weight weekly. This exercise builds maximal leg strength and tendon resilience, crucial for speed and injury prevention.

    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 at RPE 8, emphasizing hip hinge and hamstring engagement. Maintain a controlled tempo to strengthen tendons and improve posterior chain explosiveness, supporting sprinting and jumping.

    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 8-10 reps with RPE 8, focusing on explosive push and controlled return. Use this to overload the legs safely and build muscle mass for power.

    Working Sets:

    4

  • Calf Raises (Standing or on Plyo Box)

    Stand upright with feet shoulder-width apart. For standard calf raises, keep your toes on an elevated surface like a plyo box with heels hanging off the edge. Engage your core, keep your knees slightly bent, and raise your heels by pushing through the balls of your feet. Pause briefly at the top, then slowly lower your heels below the level of the step to stretch the calves. Maintain proper posture throughout, avoiding excessive forward leaning or bouncing. This exercise targets the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of the calves, improving ankle strength and calf muscle hypertrophy.

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 4 sets of 12-15 reps at RPE 8, emphasizing slow, controlled reps to strengthen Achilles tendons and calves for speed and agility.

    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:

    Perform 3 sets of 12-15 reps with RPE 7-8 to support hip stability and injury prevention, especially in lateral movements.

    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 at RPE 8, focusing on posterior chain strength and tendon health.

    Working Sets:

    3

  • Ab Wheel Rollout

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

    Prescribed Sets:

    Perform 3 sets of 8-10 reps with RPE 8, engaging core and promoting explosive hip extension for speed.

    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:

    Perform 3 sets of 20 taps (10 per side) at RPE 7, enhancing shoulder stability and core strength to support injury resilience.

    Working Sets:

    3

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