Fm Legs 102
1
Seated Leg Curl
Warm up sets =
2 Warm up sets
Working sets =
3 Working sets
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
Adjust the machine lever to fit your height and sit on the machine with your back against the back support pad. Place the back of lower leg on top of padded lever (just a few inches under the calves) and secure the lap pad against your thighs, just above the knees. Then grasp the side handles on the machine as you point your toes straight (or you can also use any of the other two stances) and ensure that the legs are fully straight right in front of you. This will be your starting position. As you exhale, pull the machine lever as far as possible to the back of your thighs by flexing at the knees. Keep your torso stationary at all times. Hold the contracted position for a second. Slowly return to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions. Caution: Do not ever use so much weight on the exercise that you start using swinging and jerking as you can risk both lower back injury and also a hamstring tear. Variations: Since you have three foot positions you have in reality three exercises.
Rep information
Use a weight you can go to 15 reps without failing. Very slow contraction and get the blood into the hamstrings.
2
Leg Extensions
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
For this exercise you will need to use a leg extension machine. First choose your weight and sit on the machine with your legs under the pad (feet pointed forward) and the hands holding the side bars. This will be your starting position. Tip: You will need to adjust the pad so that it falls on top of your lower leg (just above your feet). Also, make sure that your legs form a 90-degree angle between the lower and upper leg. If the angle is less than 90-degrees then that means the knee is over the toes which in turn creates undue stress at the knee joint. If the machine is designed that way, either look for another machine or just make sure that when you start executing the exercise you stop going down once you hit the 90-degree angle. Using your quadriceps, extend your legs to the maximum as you exhale. Ensure that the rest of the body remains stationary on the seat. Pause a second on the contracted position. Slowly lower the weight back to the original position as you inhale, ensuring that you do not go past the 90-degree angle limit. Repeat for the recommended amount of times. Variations: As mentioned at in the foot positioning section, you can use various foot positions in order to maximize stimulation of certain thigh areas. Also, you can perform the movement unilaterally (one leg at a time).
Rep information
Same as above, use a weight you can go to 15 reps without failing. Very slow contraction and get the blood into the quads.
3
Single-Leg Press
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
12 Reps
12 Reps
12 Reps
Load the sled to an appropriate weight. Seat yourself on the machine, planting one foot on the platform in line with your hip. Your free foot can be placed on the ground. Maintain good spinal position with your head and chest up. Supporting the weight, fully extend the knee and unlock the sled. This will be your starting position. Lower the weight by flexing the hip and knee, continuing as far as flexibility allows. Do not allow your lumbar to take the load by moving your pelvis. At the bottom of the motion pause briefly and then return to the starting position by extending the hip and knee. Complete all repetitions for one leg before switching to the other.
Rep information
If you can hit 12 reps with set 3, increase the weight next session.
4
Leg Press
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
Rep information
This variation is to target the quads. Feet positioned low on the plate 6 inches apart. Pause for a split second at bottom of rep then push through the balls of your feet. Same as above, up the weight next session if you hit 12 reps on all sets.
12 Reps
12 Reps
12 Reps
Using a leg press machine, sit down on the machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at a medium (shoulder width) foot stance. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance described above which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances described in the foot positioning section). Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform in place and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you. Tip: Make sure that you do not lock your knees. Your torso and the legs should make a perfect 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position. As you inhale, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs make a 90-degree angle. Pushing mainly with the heels of your feet and using the quadriceps go back to the starting position as you exhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and ensure to lock the safety pins properly once you are done. You do not want that platform falling on you fully loaded. Caution: Always check to make sure that when you re-rack the weight the platform is securely locked. Variations: All foot stance variations described in the foot stance section.
5
Leg Press
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
Rep information
Follow instructions below.
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
Using a leg press machine, sit down on the machine and place your legs on the platform directly in front of you at a medium (shoulder width) foot stance. (Note: For the purposes of this discussion we will use the medium stance described above which targets overall development; however you can choose any of the three stances described in the foot positioning section). Lower the safety bars holding the weighted platform in place and press the platform all the way up until your legs are fully extended in front of you. Tip: Make sure that you do not lock your knees. Your torso and the legs should make a perfect 90-degree angle. This will be your starting position. As you inhale, slowly lower the platform until your upper and lower legs make a 90-degree angle. Pushing mainly with the heels of your feet and using the quadriceps go back to the starting position as you exhale. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and ensure to lock the safety pins properly once you are done. You do not want that platform falling on you fully loaded. Caution: Always check to make sure that when you re-rack the weight the platform is securely locked. Variations: All foot stance variations described in the foot stance section.
6
Thigh Abductor
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
Rep information
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
To begin, sit down on the abductor machine and select a weight you are comfortable with. When your legs are positioned properly, grip the handles on each side. Your entire upper body (from the waist up) should be stationary. This is the starting position. Slowly press against the machine with your legs to move them away from each other while exhaling. Feel the contraction for a second and begin to move your legs back to the starting position while breathing in. Note: Remember to keep your upper body stationary to prevent any injuries from occurring. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
7
Thigh Adductor
Warm up sets =
1 Warm up set
Working sets =
3 Working sets
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
To begin, sit down on the adductor machine and select a weight you are comfortable with. When your legs are positioned properly on the leg pads of the machine, grip the handles on each side. Your entire upper body (from the waist up) should be stationary. This is the starting position. Slowly press against the machine with your legs to move them towards each other while exhaling. Feel the contraction for a second and begin to move your legs back to the starting position while breathing in. Note: Remember to keep your upper body stationary and avoid fast jerking motions in order to prevent any injuries from occurring. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Rep information
Follow instructions below.
8
Walking Lunge With Overhead Weight
Warm up sets =
0 Warm up sets
Working sets =
3 Working sets
15 Reps
15 Reps
15 Reps
Select a plate that you’re able to hold overhead for a time of at least 30 seconds. Grasping the plate with both hands, raise it overhead until your arms are fully extended. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms fully extended overhead. This will be your starting position. Step forward with one leg, flexing the knees to drop your hips. Descend until your rear knee touches the ground. Your posture should remain upright, and your front knee should stay above the front foot. Drive through the heel of your lead foot and extend both knees to raise yourself back up. Step forward with your rear foot, repeating the lunge on the opposite leg. Repeat for recommended number of repetitions.
Rep information
Follow instructions below.
9
Warm up sets =
0 Warm up sets
Working sets =
Rep information
Follow instructions below.
10
Warm up sets =
0 Warm up sets
Working sets =
Rep information
11
Warm up sets =
0 Warm up sets
Working sets =
Rep information
12
Warm up sets =
0 Warm up sets
Working sets =
Rep information