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A Simple Way To Get Stronger Legs

Learning through experience is the best way to progress on the path to greater strength. This article provides a few simple tips toward achieving that fundamental goal.

One of the simplest tips to get stronger is to vary your stance or grip width. I became familiar with the concept over 20 years ago when I went to a NSCA convention. There, I bought a pair of Pignatti lifting boots. I always had lifted in Adidas lifting shoots.

Once I got home, like a kid with a new Christmas toy, I could not wait to try out my Pignatti shoes on 10 sets of 3 in the squat. When I got out of bed the next day, I thought I been whacked on the legs with bamboo sticks by a crowd of Kendo practitioners. I could not believe how stiff I was! Did I do anything wrong? The difference in my lift was a slight elevation of the heels. That’s it.

Breaking the plateau

Changing grip width or stance is not a new concept. Everyone from American power lifters to Russian weightlifters has used that concept to break through strength plateaus. You simply must have the will and fortitude to follow this approach. If you do, try this workout - Omni squats Mode 1.

I call them “Omni Squats” because they provide a hypertrophy stimulus. Note: I have over 25 variations of this concept in my software program. You should buy it if interested. Without further ado, here’s the workout:

Set 1 - Back squats medium stances, elbows under the bar - 6 reps.

Set 2 - Back squats wide, hands to the end of the collars, lean forward 15 degrees, and keep trunk angle constant through entire set. - 6 reps.

Set 3 - Cyclist squats, heels 4 inches apart, elevated 6 inches or so. - 6 reps.

Set 4 - Back squats medium stances, elbows under the bar - 8 reps.

Set 5 - Back squats wide, hands to the end of the collars, lean forward 15 degrees, and keep trunk angle constant through entire set. - 8 reps.

Set 6 - Cyclist squats, heels 4 inches apart, elevated 6 inches or so. - 8 reps.

Set 7 - Back squats medium stances, elbows under the bar - 12 reps.

Set 8 - Back squats wide, hands to the end of the collars, lean forward 15 degrees, and keep trunk angle constant through entire set. -12 reps.

Set 9 - Cyclist squats, heels 4 inches apart, elevated 6 inches or so. - 20 reps (yes, twenty reps, do not write in to ask if it twenty reps.)

Do this routine, and see how well you can tango for the next few days. You will understand why the leg press is over-rated. The Omni Squat will take you in directions you never imagined. Enjoy!