Lower Body Strength Workout – Hit A New Squat & Deadlift PB!

Exercise | Fitness

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Jenny Cromack

Follow this lower body strength workout from Personal Trainer Chris Baird over a 6 week period to hit a new lower body squat and deadlift record. This program assumes you will complete 1-2 upper body workouts and requires you to complete 2x lower body strength sessions.
Chris has recently written some blogs about the deadlift and pin squat, take a read to develop your lower body strength.
lower body strength workout
 
Week 1: Test and First Session
 
Session 1:
 
Strength testing, work up to a 3 rep max on the squat and deadlift. Record your 3 RM. Once you have recorded the weight for your 3 rep max. Pop it into the formula below to calculate your estimated 1 repetition maximum
1RM = w(1+r/30) r = reps.
Session 2:
 
A.      Back squat 8 sets 5 reps (75% 1RM)
B.      Bulgarian split squat 4 sets 5 reps (per leg)
C.      Romanian deadlift 4 sets 5 reps (60% 1RM for Deadlift)
D.      Barbell rollouts 3 sets 8-10 reps
 
Week 2:
 
Session 1
 
A.      Pin Squats from lowest position 4 sets 5 reps (pause before concentric phase) (75% 1 RM)
B.      Back Squats 4 sets 5 reps (80% 1RM)
C.      Good Morning 4 sets 5 reps
D.      Walking Barbell lunges 3 sets 12-16 repetitions
 
Session 2
 
A.      Pin back squats from mid squat position 4 sets 5 reps (85% 1RM)
B.      Back Squats 4 sets 5 reps (70% 1RM)
C.      Nordic hamstring extensions 4 sets 5 reps eccentric only
D.      DB step ups 3 sets 8 reps per leg
 
Week 3:
 
Session 1
 
A.      Deadlift from podium 6 sets 4 reps (80% 1Rm)
B.      Back Squats 4 sets 4 reps (85% 1RM)
C.      Good Morning 4 sets 4 reps
D.      Walking Barbell lunges 3 sets 12-16 repetitions
 
Session 2
 
A.      Pin back squats from top third position squat position 4 sets 5 reps (110% 1RM)
B.      Back Squats 4 sets 5 reps (70% 1RM)
C.      Nordic hamstring extensions 4 sets 5 reps eccentric only
D.      DB step ups 3 sets 8 reps per leg
 
Week 4:
 
Session 1
 
E.       Back Squats from low pin 5 sets 3 (80% 1RM)
F.       Back Squats 4 sets 3 reps (90% 1RM)
G.      Good Morning 4 sets 4 reps
H.      Walking Barbell lunges 3 sets 12-16 repetitions
 
Session 2
 
E.       Pin back squats from top mid squat position 4 sets 3 reps (90% 1RM)
F.       Back Squats 4 sets 4 reps (75% 1RM)
G.      Nordic hamstring extensions 4 sets 5 reps eccentric only
H.      DB step ups 3 sets 8 reps per leg
 
Week 5:
 
Session 1
 
I.        Deadlift from podium 6 sets 2 reps (90% 1RM)
J.        Back Squats 4 sets 2 reps (90% 1RM)
K.       Good Morning 4 sets 4 reps
L.       Walking Barbell lunges 3 sets 12-16 repetitions
 
Session 2
 
I.        Pin back squats from top third position squat position 4 sets 4 reps (115% 1RM)
J.        Back Squats 4 sets 5 reps (70% 1RM)
K.       Nordic hamstring extensions 4 sets 5 reps eccentric only
L.       DB step ups 3 sets 8 reps per leg
 
Week 6:
 
Session 1- deload
 
A.      Back Squat 6 sets 5 reps (65% 1RM)
 
Session 2
 
Repeat testing from week 1. Enjoy the gains. If you have any further questions on the program please feel free to drop me a line, or let me know how much strength you gain in 6 weeks.