4 Exercises to Build Powerful Legs

Lots of people think that its damn near impossible to build strong powerful legs with just your bodyweight so I compiled a list of four exercises that are going to do just that, that you can do anywhere any time.

1. Pistol Squats

My favourite leg exercise. Pistol squats are probably the number one best exercise you can do to build up some serious strength in your legs. Its the exact same thing as a basic body weight squat, but your going to take one leg off the ground and keep it steady in a straight line and bend down, butt as close as you can to the ground without touching, and come back up.

Here's a video of Al Kavado performing a pistol squat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjxQrgLsty4

 If the pistol squat is to difficult at first, grab onto a wall to assist yourself while you build strength.



2. Jump Lunges

Jump lunges are going to build very explosive legs and will also aide in building a bigger vertical jump.

Video demonstration of Jump Lunges: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zLTDUFjbXA



3. Explosive Pistol Squats

This is more on the advanced side because they are quite difficult to do. And you will feel these in your glutes, quads and hamstrings. It is the same thing as the first exercise on the list but you will be jumping onto a platform or just straight into the air as high as possible.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFCaDJag4gc



4.  Calf Raises

Last but not least, calf raises. Apparently Shaquille O'Neal did 1000 bodyweight calf raises everyday for a month and increase his vertical jump by 12 inches!

you're probably thinking "How would I do 1000 in one day?" And its really simple if you do 20 sets of 50 which isn't that hard of a rep range to hit you can finish them quite early in the day for example, 50 explosive reps shouldn't take longer then a minute and a half to complete so if you just do a few sets while you're in the shower, waiting in line, watching tv, start of your work, end of your workout  you can finish them pretty easily.

Its also important to note that you may want to work your way up to 1000 as doing 1000 your first day will make you very sore the next, so try increasing your days worth of reps by 200 each day and in 5 days you'll  be  doing 1000.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z__UzseazqA&feature=youtu.be&t=30s




With these four exercises you can form them into a routine that best suits your level!