If you had a client with lagging legs (especially quads) would you have them on a program that has more leg work than a normal split?
I train 5-6 days/week and I want to hit my legs as often as I can without overdoing it as I don't want to overtrain them and not move forward of course.
What about doing something like;
day1- quads (hard)
day2- other
day3- hamstrings (hard)
day4- other
day5- quads/hamstrings (medium)
day6- other
day7- off
Tough one, everyone is so different. I have tried training legs in different ways myself and it seems that genetics play a larger roll than the type of training. Having 4 days rest between hitting your quads should be ok but you only have a couple days between working hams. I know that none of my clients would be able to work their hams 2 days after training them hard. They would not be even close to recovered.
From looking at your pictures you are quite small in frame and musculature. If I were you I would try working the living hell out of your legs sticking to 8-10 reps to failure with big compound movements. If you feel they are ready to go again in 4-5 days you could work them again. I really wouldnt bother breaking the hams and glutes up so much, if you feel you have to hit your quads harder just incorporate movements that place more stress on them. You are also going to have to eat to grow. To be honest, the Canadian figure girls that actually get anywhere in the "sport" hold a lot more muscle than you all over. You need to increase the muscle everywhere not just your legs.
You should listen to your body and try a little bit of instingtive training. If it isnt sore, work it. An old rule of thumb is to eat big and overtrain, this can be done for 6-8 weeks. Then undertrain for a couple weeks to give your body a break and go back to a more typical training approach after that. You need to shock your body to make it grow.
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
Hey BGB, I had the same problems with my legs and it wasnt till i put a couple of spin classes in my week and rode my bike everywhere through the summer that my hammys just re-invented themselves and i was getting comments from the 3rd week onwards how shapely they were...hope that helps!
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
Hey Jamie..I used to be spinning instructor back in SA..I was puting up too 7 Hight intensity classes away.Phew talk about leg workout My legs were fried all the time and turned into rock..Yupiii But here in NZ spinning has yet to take off. No classes where I live..I miss it sooo much
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
Darrin has me doing walking lunges with the dumbells....its a killer but defiately helps tighten everything up--and its a great cardio workout too
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
I like to do walking lunges as well LA. The most effective I've found for mine are with a barbell across my shoulders. I use skating lunges however. I step to the sides instead of the front. By the end of my 3rd set, tears are in my eyes from the intensity of this exercise. I truly love it dearly.
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
Hey Aluschka
you used to be an instructor in SA, as in South Australia? WOW how cool, yes i would be missing spinning as well! i love it! too cold here at the moment to be out riding the bike so the classes are are a saviour!
What happened?...why are you all the way over in NZ now
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
OOOPS Jamie..sorry SA as South Africa I relocated to be with my partner who I met through beach volleyball...so now I am nearly Kiwi
Re: Training program for lagging legs?
hahaha uuuh OK, i was going to say i would have seen YOU definitly around the gyms...Adelaides not that big, and your beautiful face and body would have stood out a mile! hehehe.