The Ultimate Leg Day Workout: 8 Exercises for Stronger Legs

Looking for a killer leg day workout? Look no further! This guide features 8 exercises that will challenge your lower body and help you build huge legs!  

If you're looking to build strength and tone your lower body, a leg day workout is a must. This guide features 8 exercises that will target your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, helping you achieve your fitness goals. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gym-goer, these exercises will challenge you and help you see Leg growth results.

Squats

The number 1. The King of Leg gains, in some respects the ONLY leg day workout you need...the Squat!  Squats are a classic exercise that target your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. To perform a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing forward. Lower your body by bending your knees and pushing your hips back, as if you're sitting in a chair. Keep your chest up and your back straight. Once your thighs are parallel to the ground, push through your heels to stand back up. Repeat for 10-12 reps. For Muscle growth you want to gradually increase the weight with each Squat Workout, side note if you can aim for 2 x bodyweight you are doing VERY well, double side note if you can build up to 3 x Bodyweight you are a squatting olympian cyborg and have completed Squats!

Lunges

Lunges are a great exercise for targeting your glutes, quads, and hamstrings. To perform a lunge, start by standing with your feet hip-width apart. Take a big step forward with your right foot, bending your right knee and lowering your body until your right thigh is parallel to the ground. Your left knee should be hovering just above the ground. Push through your right heel to stand back up and repeat on the other side. Aim for 10-12 reps on each leg. Lunges can be performed with no weight, but is mainly performed with either a barbell ( resting on your shoulders) or 2 x dumb bells in each hand. 

Deadlifts

Deadlifts are a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups in your lower body, including your glutes, hamstrings, and quads. To perform a deadlift, stand with your feet hip-width apart and a barbell on the ground in front of you. Bend your knees and hinge at your hips to grip the bar with both hands, palms facing down. Keep your back straight and your core engaged as you stand up, lifting the barbell with you. Lower the bar back down to the ground and repeat for 8-10 reps. Make sure to use proper form ( like in the video below ) If you are a beginner to deadlifts leave your ego and the door and start with a very light weight, focus on technique before anything else, once you feel comfortable and feel that you have perfected the technique ( you will know when you do! ) gradually increase the weight.  Like deadlifts 2 x Bodyweight is great, 3 x Bodyweight you are a deadlifting God.  

Leg Press

The leg press machine is a popular exercise  that targets your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. To use the machine, sit with your back against the backrest and place your feet on the platform in front of you. Push the platform away from you with your feet, leave a bend in the knee ( do not lock your knees fully )  then slowly lower the platform back down to the starting position. Repeat for 10-12 reps. The leg press machine is a great alternative to squats for those with knee or back issues, and can also help improve overall leg strength and muscle tone. If you have never seen it there is a terrible video of how NOT to perform the Leg press, it is vitally important that you NEVER lock your legs when leg pressing, as this lady found out! Video below (watch with caution!) 

Calf Raises

Calf raises are a great exercise for targeting the muscles in your lower legs, specifically the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. To perform calf raises, stand with your feet hip-width apart and slowly rise up onto the balls of your feet, lifting your heels off the ground. Hold for a few seconds at the top, then slowly lower back down to the starting position. Repeat for 10-12 reps.  Calf raises can be performed in many variations, donkey calf raises ( seated) or standing calf raises, with the with resting on your shoulders.  calf raises can also be done on the leg press machine, pointing your toes at the very end of the leg press and pushing the tips of your toes back and forth.

Seated Leg Extension 

The seated leg extension is a popular exercise for targeting the Quadriceps or Quads for short!  which are the largest muscle at the front of your legs.  This exercise is typically performed using the Seated Leg extension machine, making form easier to master.  This is an exercise typically performed to increase size and strength in the upper part of the legs.

It is important to start the exercise with your feet tucked behind the roller to start the rep, you then extend the legs upwards leaving a slight bend in the knee ( do not fully lock out the legs ) and slowly bringing the legs back to the start position.  This is an exercise usually performed in sets of 3 or 4 with reps in the range of 10-12

Laying Leg Curl 

The lying leg curl is a great exercise to attack the hamstrings ( the muscles at the back of the legs )  To perform this exercise, lie face down on a leg curl machine with your ankles under the padded bar. Slowly lift your legs towards your buttocks, keeping your knees and hips stationary. Hold for a moment, then slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position. Repeat for several reps, focusing on keeping your movements controlled and your form correct.

This is an exercise ( like the Seated Leg extension ) that is typically performed in sets of 3-4 with reps in the range of 10-12

Frequently asked Questions

What is the best workout for legs?