Exercise Muscles Targeted How to Do It Reps
Barbell Squat (Main Lift) Quads, Glutes, Hamstrings Perform your regular barbell squats with controlled depth. This primes your calves and lower legs for finishing work. 3 Sets of 9 Reps
Forward Lunge Squats Quads, Glutes, Core Step forward, drop into a lunge, return to start. Upright torso. 9 reps/leg
Step Back / Reverse Lunges Glutes, Hamstrings, Core Step backward into a deep lunge, return to start. 9 reps/leg
**Weighted
Step Ups** Quads, Glutes, Hamstrings, Core Hold 35s. Step fully onto box. No push off. Control descent. 8 per leg per set
Reverse Weighted Step Downs (18”) Quads, Knee Stability Hold 35s. Stand on stool. Lower one foot slowly to floor. 8 per leg per set
Bulgarian Split Squats Glutes, Quads, Adductors, Core Back foot elevated on stool. Stay upright. Drop straight down. 6–8 per leg per set
Quad Isolation Squat Quads, VMO, Patellar Tendon Capacity Hold dumbbells slightly in front of toes. Allow knees to travel forward. Stay upright. Stop just before weights touch floor. No lockout. 12–15 continuous tension reps, 2 sets after Bulgarians
360° Ankle Rotation (Warm Up) Tibialis Anterior, Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Peroneals Stand on one leg with a band anchored in front of you at floor level and looped around your mid foot. Keep light tension and rotate your ankle in small, controlled circles for 30 seconds each direction: clockwise and counterclockwise. 30 Seconds Each Direction
Outward Flare (Eversion) Peroneus Longus & Brevis (Outer Shin) Anchor the band inside your leg and push your foot outward against tension. Move slowly and control the return. 10 Reps per leg
Inward Flex (Inversion) Tibialis Posterior, Flexor Digitorum Longus Anchor the band outside your leg and pull the foot inward across midline, then slowly return to start. 10 Reps per leg
Forward Flare (Dorsiflexion) Tibialis Anterior (Front Shin) Anchor band in front of you. Keep heel grounded and lift toes upward toward shin. Lower slowly under control. 10 Reps per leg
Backward Flare (Plantar Flexion) Soleus, Gastrocnemius Anchor band behind you. Press toes forward as if performing a slow, controlled calf raise. 10 Reps per leg
Tiptoe Raise: Feet Forward Soleus, Gastrocnemius (Neutral Fibers) Stand tall with toes pointing forward. Raise up on tiptoes, hold 1 second, then lower slowly. 10 Reps
Tiptoe Raise: Feet Inward Medial Gastrocnemius, Inner Soleus Turn toes slightly inward (toes facing each other). Rise onto tiptoes, focusing on inner calf contraction. 10 Reps
Tiptoe Raise: Feet Outward Lateral Gastrocnemius, Outer Soleus Turn toes slightly outward (V-shape). Raise up on tiptoes, squeezing outer calves and peroneals. 10 Reps
Isometric Tiptoe Hold (Finisher) Full Calf Chain (Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Tibialis) After final tiptoe set, hold the top position for 30 seconds. Keep the lower leg rigid and squeeze through the entire chain. 30 Second Hold