- After following a thorough warm-up session, stand tall on a walkway, treadmill, or other walkable area. Make sure that your chest is up, core is braced, shoulders are back, and gaze is straight ahead.
- Begin by placing your left foot forward then shifting your hips to move the right leg forward. Continue this back and forth motion at a pace that is ideal for you.
- You may also want to include small weights or a grip strengthener during your walks. Remember to maintain perfect form throughout the walk. Avoid slouching.
Advanced Gym Heavy Legs Progressive Overload
59 min
·
11 exercises
Go heavy on leg day with this advanced gym progressive overload workout! Target 80 to 85% of your one-rep max for 5 reps per exercise. Use a spotter or safety bars where necessary. Build serious lower body muscle, gain strength, and push your limits!
Spend 2 minutes walking at a medium pace, on a slight incline if possible. Nothing too strenuous!
1:00 rest
15 reps per leg per set!
0:30 rest
15 reps per leg per set!
0:30 rest
30 reps clockwise and 30 reps counterclockwise!
0:30 rest
Warm up. Use 30-40% of your one-rep max weight.
1:00 rest
Warm up. Use 50-60% of your one-rep max weight.
1:00 rest
Working sets. Use 80 - 85% of your ORM Reps are your number one priority. Hit those before increasing weight.
1:00 rest
Working sets. Use 80 - 85% of your ORM Reps are your number one priority. Hit those before increasing weight.
1:00 rest
Focus deadlifts, form is number 1! The straight onto the single leg deads!
6 controlled reps per ser!
1:00 rest
Work those glutes! 12 four-second reps per leg per set.
About this workout
Advanced Gym Heavy Legs Progressive Overload is a free 59 min workout plan with 11 illustrated exercises for your core, back, cardio and legs. Follow the workout online, save it to your WorkoutLabs Fit account or download it as a printable PDF.
Tap any exercise in the workout to see the muscles worked, clear exercise illustrations and step-by-step instructions. Each workout includes sets, reps, rest times and notes so you can follow the plan without guessing.
Workout details
- Duration: 59 min
- Exercises: 11
- Training focus: Core, back, cardio and legs
- Equipment: Full gym
- Level: Advanced
- Format: Interactive workout and printable PDF
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Questions about this workout
What equipment do I need for this workout?
You'll need full gym for this workout. Tap any exercise to see form instructions and possible substitutions if a piece of equipment isn't available.
How long does the Advanced Gym Heavy Legs Progressive Overload take?
The full workout takes about 59 minutes, covering 11 exercises with prescribed sets, reps and rest periods. Using the built-in timers and auto-advance keeps you on pace from start to finish.
Is this workout suitable for my fitness level?
This is an advanced workout designed for experienced lifters. If you're newer to training, scale it down with lighter loads and longer rests, or browse our library for a beginner or intermediate version of a similar routine.
What muscles does this workout target?
This routine primarily works your calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes & hip flexors, lower back. Tap any exercise in the workout to see a muscle diagram showing exactly which primary and secondary muscles it activates.
How often should I do this workout?
For gain muscle, get toned, aim to do this workout 2–3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions. Progress by gradually adding weight or reps, and pair it with workouts for other muscle groups during the week.
Can I download or save this workout?
Yes – you can download this workout as a free printable PDF using the download button, or save it to a free WorkoutLabs Fit account to follow it on your phone, customize the exercises and track your progress.
Advanced Gym Heavy Legs Progressive Overload
59 min
·
11 exercises
Go heavy on leg day with this advanced gym progressive overload workout! Target 80 to 85% of your one-rep max for 5 reps per exercise. Use a spotter or safety bars where necessary. Build serious lower body muscle, gain strength, and push your limits!
Cardio - Walking / Treadmill
Spend 2 minutes walking at a medium pace, on a slight incline if possible. Nothing too strenuous!
Primary muscle group(s):
Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Forward Leg Hip Swings
15 reps per leg per set!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Stand tall holding onto a pole or stationary object for support.
- Engage your abs as you swing your one leg as far out in front of you and then back behind you as you comfortably can.
- Switch sides once you have completed repetitions on the first leg.
Side Lateral Leg Swings
15 reps per leg per set!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Stand tall holding onto a pole, wall or stationary object for support.
- Engage your abs as you swing your one leg as far out to the side and then across the stationary leg as you comfortably can.
- Don’t just let gravity pull the leg – actively use the muscles!
- Switch sides once you have completed repetitions on the first leg.
Hip Circles
30 reps clockwise and 30 reps counterclockwise!
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Stand tall with your chest up. Move your feet to shoulder-width apart. Place your hands on your hips.
- Begin the movement by shifting your hips to the left. Bring them forward and to the right in a circular motion. From the right, shift your hips back and to the left.
- Continue in this circular motion. Stop once to switch directions.
Barbell Hip Thrusts
Warm up. Use 30-40% of your one-rep max weight.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Sit on a padded surface with your legs out in front of you and the knees bent. Make sure your back is against a secured bench. Lay a barbell across your lap.
- Focusing the tension in the glutes, raise your hips skyward, moving the bar up with you.
- Pause when you feel the contraction in your glutes then slowly lower yourself to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
- Select an appropriate weight for the plate you will be using. Place it next to where you will be laying.
- Lay on flat on your back. Bend your knees, bringing your feet towards your hips. Bring the plate up and on to your pelvic area.
- Tighten your core, flatten your back, and make sure your feet are firmly on the ground. Raise your hips up, creating a straight line from your head to your knees.
- Slowly lower your hips and repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Quadriceps
- Lay down on an exercise mat with your feet flat on the floor and your knees pointing upwards bent at a 90 degree angle.
- Place a resistance band across your hips and pin it down to the ground using your hands at either side.
- Raise your hips upwards until a straight line is formed from your knees to your shoulders.
- Hold this extended position for 1 second before slowly lowering your hips down to the starting position.
Do not perform if you suffer from hypertension.
Barbell Hip Thrusts
Warm up. Use 50-60% of your one-rep max weight.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Sit on a padded surface with your legs out in front of you and the knees bent. Make sure your back is against a secured bench. Lay a barbell across your lap.
- Focusing the tension in the glutes, raise your hips skyward, moving the bar up with you.
- Pause when you feel the contraction in your glutes then slowly lower yourself to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
- Select an appropriate weight for the plate you will be using. Place it next to where you will be laying.
- Lay on flat on your back. Bend your knees, bringing your feet towards your hips. Bring the plate up and on to your pelvic area.
- Tighten your core, flatten your back, and make sure your feet are firmly on the ground. Raise your hips up, creating a straight line from your head to your knees.
- Slowly lower your hips and repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Quadriceps
- Lay down on an exercise mat with your feet flat on the floor and your knees pointing upwards bent at a 90 degree angle.
- Place a resistance band across your hips and pin it down to the ground using your hands at either side.
- Raise your hips upwards until a straight line is formed from your knees to your shoulders.
- Hold this extended position for 1 second before slowly lowering your hips down to the starting position.
Do not perform if you suffer from hypertension.
Barbell Hip Thrusts
Working sets. Use 80 - 85% of your ORM Reps are your number one priority. Hit those before increasing weight.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Sit on a padded surface with your legs out in front of you and the knees bent. Make sure your back is against a secured bench. Lay a barbell across your lap.
- Focusing the tension in the glutes, raise your hips skyward, moving the bar up with you.
- Pause when you feel the contraction in your glutes then slowly lower yourself to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
- Select an appropriate weight for the plate you will be using. Place it next to where you will be laying.
- Lay on flat on your back. Bend your knees, bringing your feet towards your hips. Bring the plate up and on to your pelvic area.
- Tighten your core, flatten your back, and make sure your feet are firmly on the ground. Raise your hips up, creating a straight line from your head to your knees.
- Slowly lower your hips and repeat the movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Quadriceps
- Lay down on an exercise mat with your feet flat on the floor and your knees pointing upwards bent at a 90 degree angle.
- Place a resistance band across your hips and pin it down to the ground using your hands at either side.
- Raise your hips upwards until a straight line is formed from your knees to your shoulders.
- Hold this extended position for 1 second before slowly lowering your hips down to the starting position.
Do not perform if you suffer from hypertension.
Sumo Barbell Squats
Working sets. Use 80 - 85% of your ORM Reps are your number one priority. Hit those before increasing weight.
Primary muscle group(s):
Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
- Set a barbell on a rack at your shoulder height.
- Step under the bar and rest the back of your shoulders against the bar. Do not put the bar on your neck.
- Hold on to the bar using an overhand grip so that your palms are facing forward.
- Lift the barbell off the rack by pushing up with your legs while straightening your torso.
- Step away from the rack and position your legs in a wider than shoulder width position and with your toes slightly pointed out.
- Keep your head up and look straight ahead at all times, as looking down will put you off balance.
- Ensure your back is straight. This is the start position.
- As you inhale, slowly lower the bar by bending your knees while keeping a straight posture with your head up.
- Continue down until the angle between you upper legs and calves is slightly less than 90-degrees . As a guide, the front of your knees should be in line with your toes. Do not allow your knees to extend out beyond your toes.
- Hold for a count of one.
- As you exhale, raise the bar back to the start position, by pushing through your heels as you straighten your legs.
- Pause for a count of one.
- Repeat.
This is an exercise which carries some risk. If you have back issues, substitute this exercise for the dumbbell squat or leg press instead. Never slouch your back forward as this can cause back injury. This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back
- Set up the barbell on the squat rack so that it is at the same height as your upper chest.
- Position your body under the bar, with knees bent so that the bar is resting high on the back of your shoulders.
- Grip the bar with your hands comfortably wider than your shoulders.
- Slowly straighten your legs to push upwards, lifting the barbell from the rack and take one step forward.
- Stand with your legs shoulder width apart.
- Bend your knees forward and allow your hips to bend back as if sitting down,
- Continue this movement down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or slightly more, making sure your knees are pointing in the same direction as your feet.
- Hold for a count of one.
- Push up through your heels while straightening your hips and knees, until you are standing in the start position.
- Make any adjustments necessary to your stance and grip before continuing on the next repetition.
Do not rest the bar on your neck. Keep your head facing forward at all times. Keep your back straight throughout the entire movement.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings
- Stand up straight with a tight core and flat back.
- Position your feet wider than shoulder-width. Your toes should be facing out diagonally.
- Holding a dumbbell with both hands in front of you, look straight ahead and bend at the knees while driving your hips backward. Your knees should be following your toes in a diagonal line.
- Complete this wide stance squat by having your thighs come parallel with the ground.
- Pause and slowly return to the starting position without locking your knees.
- Repeat.
Barbell Deadlifts
A
Focus deadlifts, form is number 1! The straight onto the single leg deads!
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Forearms, Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings, Quadriceps, Upper Back & Lower Traps
- Place a barbell in a clear space on the floor. (Make sure there are no obstructions in your way.
- Stand facing the barbell with your legs about 4-6 inches from the bar.
- Place your feet shoulder width apart.Your feet can be pointed straight ahead or turned outwards slightly.
- Squat down, keeping your back straight and grip the bar with an overhand grip at shoulder width.
- Keep your arms fully extended and stand up with the barbell.
- As you lift the barbell, your hips and shoulders should rise together and your back should be straight.
- As you reach the top of the lift and are standing straight, rotate your shoulders back slightly until you feel a slight stretch in them.
- Lower the barbell back to the floor in the same squatting motion you used to lift it.
This exercise can be very dangerous if performed incorrectly. If you are a novice, only perform this exercise with an experienced trainer's supervision.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
- Place two dumbbells on the floor.
- Stand facing the dumbbells with your feet shoulder width apart.
- Bend knees and hips to lower your torso in a squatting movement,keep your back straight.
- At the bottom of the squat grip the dumbbells with an overhand grip,keeping your arms fully extended.
- Return to an upright position holding the dumbbells with your palms facing towards your body and extending your hips forward. Do not round your back.
- Return the dumbbells to the floor in the same manner you picked them up.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Lower Back
- Holding the handles of the resistance band, step on to the middle. Place your feet at shoulder-width with toes pointing forward. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
- Bend your knees slightly and drive your hips back but NOT lower than your knees. Again, keep the chest up. This is the starting position.
- Forcefully contract your glutes, driving them forward. Do not just lean back. Your glutes should be fully contracted. Pause then return to the starting position.
Single Straight Leg Dumbbell Deadlift
A
6 controlled reps per ser!
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Stand tall with a tight core while holding a pair of dumbbells. Keeping your chest up and your gaze straight ahead, shift all of your bodyweight to your left foot. Bend the right knee, allowing the right foot to lift off the ground.
- Maintaining a flat back, tilt your upper body forward. Do not allow the dumbbells to pull you down. Control your descent. Simultaneously, allow the right foot to counterbalance the shift in weight.
- Feel the contraction in your hamstrings and pause once your upper body is parallel with the ground. Slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Lower Back
Secondary:
Abs, Calves, Hamstrings, Quadriceps
- Place two dumbbells on the floor.
- Stand facing the dumbbells with your feet shoulder width apart.
- Bend knees and hips to lower your torso in a squatting movement,keep your back straight.
- At the bottom of the squat grip the dumbbells with an overhand grip,keeping your arms fully extended.
- Return to an upright position holding the dumbbells with your palms facing towards your body and extending your hips forward. Do not round your back.
- Return the dumbbells to the floor in the same manner you picked them up.
- Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors, Hamstrings
Secondary:
Lower Back
- Holding the handles of the resistance band, step on to the middle. Place your feet at shoulder-width with toes pointing forward. Tighten your core and keep your chest up.
- Bend your knees slightly and drive your hips back but NOT lower than your knees. Again, keep the chest up. This is the starting position.
- Forcefully contract your glutes, driving them forward. Do not just lean back. Your glutes should be fully contracted. Pause then return to the starting position.
Adductor Knee Raises
Work those glutes! 12 four-second reps per leg per set.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
Secondary:
Abs
- Position yourself on all fours on a mat with your palms flat and shoulder-width apart. Place your knees hip-width apart and bend them at a 90 degree angle.
- Try to relax your core so that your back and abs are in a natural position.
- Maintain this posture as you raise your right knee and bring it as close to your chest as you can.
- Now raise your right thigh out to the side, keeping the hips still.
- Kick your raised leg straight back slowly until it is in line with your torso.
- Reverse the movement to return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Glutes & Hip Flexors
- Lie on your right side on top of a yoga mat or other soft surface.
- Brace your core and make sure your body is in a straight line. Keep your right hand on the ground and your left hand on your hip.
- Slowly lift the left leg into the air, keeping it straight during the exercise.
- Slowly lower your left leg. Complete the set then repeat with the other leg.
Workout done!
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of 11
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