Name: Playbook - Hannah Bower - Lower Body Strength 8.5.24
Uploaded: 2025-12-03T15:39:08.928Z
Duration: 40 min
Description: Lower Body Strength 8.5.24

Arpita Malhotra

Loving seeing little improvements of things I wasn’t able to do 2 years ago. 🙏🏼🙌🏼

Kathryn

Delaney

Alexandra 

Kelsie

Well i wildly underestimated that core finisher when i saw it was only two moves lol 🥵🔥

Maddie

Beatrice

3 mile run and this leg day has me DEAD. 😅😅💪🏼

Brianna

Great leg exercise. Burned in the right places.

Dominique

The Copenhagen dips 🥴💀!  Absolutely brutal.   Great sweat sesh.

Woohoo! I finally beat my max squat!!! 🙌  208lbs...and yes, I did 8 reps. 😁💪

Maggie

Taylor

I only did the squats and the first super set. I didn’t sleep enough last to get it all done decently

Becca

Katie

Hope Jenkins

Welcome to the second week of this new training phase!

Reminder, you are in charge of your own progressive overload for your squats this week, whether that means you’re adding 1-2 reps or adding weight, the choice is yours!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!

Recommended reps: 3-5 per side or however many feel good 

Modifications: perform standard child pose rocks without the internal external rotations 

Form:
-start on your hands and knees with your hands underneath your shoulders and knees underneath your hips 
- take one foot and externally rotate it away from your body keeping your knee on the ground. Only go as far as range of motion allows 
-from there externally rotate your knee off the ground so that it is in line with your foot that has been placed out to the side 
-with your leg in a side lunge position, begin to shift your hips backward into a child’s pose position 
-only go as far as range of motion allows 
-then press your hips back to neutral 
-internally rotate your extended knee to the ground keeping your foot on the ground 
-then internally rotate your foot back to starting position keeping your knee still 
-repeat

Dynamic Child’s Pose

Recommended reps: 3-5 per side 

Modifications: limit range of motion

Form:
- Start in a bent over position with your hands holding onto a stable surface about hip level 
- begin to bend your knee and sit your hips back pulling on the bar 
-toes and knees can point forward or slightly outward, but they cannot fall inward 
- lower as far as range of motion allows, you may feel a stretch in your stretched out leg
- from there, sit your hips back and pull against your bar to create a stretch throughout your back 
-pause for a couple seconds
-repeat on the other side

Supported Cossack Stretch

Recommended reps: 3-5 per side 

Modifications: limit range of motion, can do with or without support 

Form:
- Start in a bent over position with your hands holding onto a stable surface about hip level 
- begin to bend your knee and sit your hips back pulling on the bar 
- lower as far as range of motion allows, you may feel a stretch in your stretched out leg
- from there, internally rotate your knee so that it falls inward toward your midline 
-only internally rotate as far as range of motion allows 
-pause for a couple seconds
-the externally rotate back to neutral, shift your weight forward and come up to a half squat
-lower and repeat 
-repeat on the other side

Internal Rotation Cossack Stretch

Corrective Warmup: Lower Body

Recommended reps: 8-10
Recommended weight: heavy 

*choose a weight where the last 2-3 reps are a challenge for set of 8 reps. Once you get strong enough to do 10 reps at that weight, increase your weights so that you drop back down to 8 reps.

* don’t have access to heavy weights? Increase rep range to 12-15, add a pause, slow down tempo, increase range of motion, add half reps, add bands 

Modifications: limit weight, limit range of motion, squat to chair 
Substitutions: dumbbell goblet squat 

Form: (for more in depth see tutorials video) 
- Start standing in front of your bar or weights. - Depending on your hip anatomy, your feet will be anywhere front shoulder width apart or slightly wider than shoulder width.   -Toes are straight ahead or slightly turned out, but never inward -Think about ribcage stacked over pelvis keeping a tall chest.. Knees are aligned over your ankles.  - Begin to squat by hinging at the hips while you bend your knees. - Think about shifting your hips and glutes to the back wall and about shifting your weight into your heals, do not let your weight come forward to your toes. -Continue to press knees away from each other. Think about spreading the ground apart between your feet. -Lower until hips are parallel with the ground or as far as range of motion allows - As you stand, continue to keep your knees from falling inward, you can think about allowing your knees to push outward a bit. -You want to move in one solid flow. Chest + hips raise at the same time!
-Keep chin and head neutral throughout (no tucking or arching your chin), keep upper chest tall and neutral (no rounding)

Squat

You will need an optional barbell and elevated surface for this superset

Recommended reps: 8-10
Recommended weight: medium to heavy (last 2-3 reps should be a challenge)

Don’t have access to challenging weights? Increase reps 10-12, add pauses, slow down tempo.

Modifications: bodyweight, remove elevation 

Substitutions: reverse lunge, side lunge, 

Form:
-start standing feet hip width apart, ribs stacked over pelvis 
-hold your weights down by your sides or up at your shoulders 
-step backwards and 45 degrees to the side to laterally cross your back leg across your body 
-lower into a curtsy lunge by shifting your hips back and hinging at your waist
-keeping a forward lean with an engaged core to activate your glutes, press back to standing
-switch sides

Elevated Curtsy Lunge

Recommended reps: 6-8
Recommended weight: heavy  

Equipment substitutions: band, kettlebell, bodyweight, barbell 

Modifications: perform without weight, limit range of motion

Substitutions : good mornings

Form:
-start standing with your feet slightly more narrow than hip width distance apart, chest tall with your ribs stacked over pelvis
-hold your weights down by your side 
-perform a deadlift by hinging at the hips (think about pushing your butt back)
-appropriately engage your core and your scapula AS you hinge forward to manage pressure
-think about your glutes touching the back wall and your weight being distributed to your heels 
-hinge until your weight is close to your mid-shin area
-pause
-push through your hips keeping a neutral spine to come back to standing

Romanian Deadlift

Romanian Deadlift SS Elevated Curtsy Lunge

You will need an optional bench and ball for this superset

Recommended reps: 8-10 per leg 

Modifications: different knee placements: The closer the bench is to your knee the easier. Bending your lifting leg also makes it easier. Can also remove the lifts and just perform an iso hold 

Substitutions: inner thigh machine (adductor), inner thigh leg lifts, seated medicine ball adductor squeezes 

Form:
-start in a side plank with your foot on a bench, elbows or hand laid flat on the ground 
-press into a side plank by appropriately engaging your core to manage pressure
-keep your hips high and stacked on top of each other
-begin to lower your hips as far to the ground as you can 
-as you begin to lift your hips back up, engage your inner thigh of your bottom leg to lift your or knee to touch your top leg 
-lower
-repeat

Copenhagen Hip Dips

Recommended reps: 10-12

Equipment modifications; cable machine, hamstring curl machine, laying on your stomach and curling a band, dumbbell, kettlebell 
Substitutions: glute bridge walk outs, can also perform your curl in any direction (laying on your back with a stability ball or foam roller), a seated hamstring curl machine, a prone (laying on stomach) hamstring curl machine, or with a band/dumbbell 
Form: -Start laying on your back and place your feet on your stability ball -Appropriately engage your core and glutes as you drive your heels downward to lift your hips as high as you can -Keep your hips still and stable -From your glute bridge position, curl your heels towards your glutes as far as range of motion allows -Extend your knees back to starting position keeping your hips high -repeat

Stability Ball Hamstring Curls

Copehagen Plank Dips SS Stability Ball Hamstring Curl

Recommended reps: til failure 
Recommended pause: 3-5 seconds 
Recommended drops: 3

Meaning you’ll start with a heavy weight and do as many reps as you can (each rep has a 3-5 second pause), once you hit your limit, drop the weight by 5-10 pounds and repeat the process. Perform as many reps as it takes til failure, then drop the weight one last time 5-10 pounds and repeat until failure.

Modifications: perform without the pause 

Equipment substitution: stability or yoga hall squeezes 

Substitutions: inner thigh lifts 

Form: 
-start seated on the Adduction machine with ribs stacked over pelvis 
-sit with a wide stance so that your knees are wider than your hips
-engage your inner thigh to bring your knees together
-pause and squeeze your knees together for 5 seconds 
-release 
-repeat

Adduction Drop Set

Pick any object of your choosing, small yoga balls work great.

Squeeze 10 seconds, relax 1-2, repeat for 2 minutes or til failure

Adduction Machine Substitution

Recommended reps: 45-60 seconds  

Modifications: limit range of motion 

Substitutions: standard plank hold, standard mountain climbers 

Form:
-start in a plank position with your elbows underneath your shoulders, feet extended, hips square, spine neutral (no arching or rounding), and core appropriately engaged to manage pressure
-from there lift and extend one elbow at a time out in front of your face so that you are in an extended plank position 
-pause for a second 
-then one elbow at a timed, “walk” back to starting potion 
-pick up one of your feet, bend your knees and then drive it laterally to the side to try and touch your knee to your outside elbow
-it is okay to lean into the crunch by shifting your shoulder towards your knee 
-pause at the top of the rep, really mimic the crunch motion 
-then release your leg, and untwist your shoulders back to neutral, and extend your leg back to plank
-repeat on other side

Plank Elbow Walk + Knee Drive

Recommended time: 45-60 sec

Modifications: limit range of motion 

Substitutions: butt lifts, leg lefts 

Form:
-start laying flat on the ground holding onto a stable surface 
-using your core and hip flexors begin to rock your lower body and your hips to begin to draw your knees inward and upward towards your chest and upwards toward the ceiling 
-think about driving your knees and your hips up and over the top of your head 
-lift as high as you can, then slowly use your core to lower your hips back down to the bench as slow as you can 
-repeat

Supported Reverse Crunch

Core Finisher

Lower Body Strength 8.5.24

This workout feels humongous!!! Super high volume. It might be just me though 😂 if I push the weight in back squats and sumos, I don't much left in the tank for the single leg high volume stuff, WOOF!

Miranda

I so wish I had more time for this one today… I’ll be coming back to it!

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 5| Lowerbody

I took my time and did all of it. I enjoyed the stretches, mobility core and also running at the beginning.

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

Will definitely go heavier on the finisher next time. Still felt it though 🙌🏻

The workout is bomb, but let’s be real…. that thoracic stretch is always clutch!

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 4| Upperbody

Rose

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 2| Upper Body

Woo always get nervous about leg workouts!! But love getting them done!

Andrea

I know my quads hate to see this workout coming

Rachel T

Wrapped| Week 4 Day 1| Lower Body

Those drop set Bulgarians got the glutes burning! Loved it!

I loved this. I didn’t get to finish due to some hip discomfort but overall it was a challenging workout!

Jaime

Those depth drops are harder than they look. And the med ball twists are harder too only because you’re trying to keep your balance at the same time. I really enjoyed the mobility at the end. One side was definitely tighter than the other. Killer workout. - I’ll be doing this one again!

Chelsi

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 5| Lowerbody

Love the incremental pause lifts! Very effective!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 4| Upperbody

I enjoyed it and did all of it through even the optionals this time. I find it very helpful and informative.

This is always a welcome stretching session each week!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

I enjoyed it and I did felt my body fighting against it especially the shoulder press trying not to arch my back.

Christy

Hannah’s alter ego should be Hanz and Franz because she’s here to pump 👏 you up!

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 2| Upper Body

I enjoyed it and it got easier but I still do feel it.

Zarah

Wrapped| Week 3 Day 1| Lower Body

Whew! Loved the last set with the bridges and copenhagens!! 
I was/am in a funk today and was hoping this would help and it did! Not as much as I wanted but now I’m too tired to be ambiently annoyed so calling it a win 🏆

Morgan

I enjoyed it and finished after midnight! My legs definitely are on fire 🔥

I’m love a good lift! Jello legs are the best!

Stephanie

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 5| Lowerbody

Kelsey

I enjoyed it and I did felt my arms burned in the end. I am glad I had it saved in my favorites to be able to complete it.

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 4| Upperbody

Mindset 3: Motivation

Completed yesterday but forgot to finish in app. Did stairs rather than run and was short on time so had to rush a bit but still enjoyed it!

This workout included such beautiful ranges of motion! Really felt like self care 💕

Sally

Just focused on the hip mobility. It’s 🔥

Michelle 

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

I think I’ve been converted to liking running??? I did the sprints and then just kept going? Never saw myself as a runner but I’m here for it honestly 🏃🏻‍♀️💨

I got it done and really enjoyed it! Upper body soar and tired.

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 2| Upper Body

Increased weights, feeling sluggish after the holiday so this felt good to be intentional about. Did both the knee CARs and 90/90 swivels bc I’m not quite sure I’m doing the CARs right 😅

Thank you Hannah for this post turkey day sweat! (Yes I know I’m behind on days 🙃)

Fabulous!!  Had to modify the curtsy lunges by decreasing the height and body weight, same
With the step ups. There darn joust won’t cooperate.  But amazing workout. Lifted heavier and added a set.  ❤️❤️❤️

Wrapped| Week 2 Day 1| Lower Body

Lisa

Brittany Carteaux

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 5| Lowerbody

I enjoyed it and learned some new things and my arms did burned in the end.

Loved it!!  Upper body will be sore today 🥰🥰

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 4| Upperbody

I loved this! The pvc pipe mobility definitely was surprising how well I felt things given a little extra feedback! Excited to continue to grow

Erin

Love really
Focused mobility, breath and core work! I definitely need to more of this!!

Brook

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 3| Deep Core + Mobility

Very impressed with myself on those sprints!! Wasn’t sure I still had the 10mph sprints in me post vacay but I did!! Also really needed that thoracic mobility at the end after some 10hour flights. Feeing much more limber but expecting to be sore tomorrow 🤪

The timer on the AMRAP - I wish there was a way to hear the minute cues on the timer

Noelle

Wrapped| Week 1 Day 2| Upper Body

Jaci Jo Krogman

This felt so good! Just got back from a 3 week vacation and came back with a cold but really wanted to get back in the gym and back on routine so I told myself I’d try, took it easy and felt so good!! Definitely could go heavier but didn’t wanna push too hard first day back

NEW! Wrapped| Week 1 Day 1| Lower Body

Increased hip thrust from 240 to 275! And got 25 push-ups (on toes) in 45 seconds - up from 20. 💪🏻

Janessa Orwig

Max Testing Week: Hip Thrust + Push-up

I enjoyed the test and gotten more gain definitely in both since last time.

I don’t have leg press at home so tested with suitcase deadlifts and that increased from 155 to 165.

And for pull-ups. I have not yet conquered a full unassisted pull-up but when I first tested 12 weeks ago I could barely hold my chin above the bar for 3 seconds. Today I held it for a full 10 seconds and felt super strong right up to the end! HUGE progress!

Leg Press stayed at 425 but I wasn’t struggling as much as I was at the start. That equals a win!

Chin ups: 3 full pretty ones and 2 eccentric. 
Thats a slight increase of 200% 😎

Max Testing Week: Chin Up + Leg Press

A great refresher videos before doing them.

Traditional Deadlift: 170 lbs - 14% increase 

Bench Press: 160 lbs. - 7% increase

Max Testing Week: Bench Press + Deadlift

I enjoyed being challenged in the end. I really pushed myself through.

I’m always amazed when I do these! I know I’ve put on muscle and feel stronger but testing it is so eye opening to how much my body has changed in 12 weeks. 

Squat increased from 170 to 190.
Military press increased from 80 to 100.

Max Squat: 165 lbs. - 10% increase 
Max Military Press: 65 lbs. - 8.33% increase

LETS. GOOOOOO!!

Max Testing Week: Squat + Overhead Military Press

11/10/25: Single Arm Row- 50 lbs 11% increase from the start

I did good for getting back into it after being off and on sick last month.

Max Testing Week:  Row + 1 Mile Run

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Added a couple sets on some bc I was feeling good!

Hannah….we have to talk. I almost cursed you out on the split lunge box jump superwoman move. I’m not there yet. I cannot do that move at all LOL. I did try tho 🥲
However, the rest was really good 😛

This one felt hard today, but I did it anyway!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 4 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Great range of motion. I need to work on my balance !

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 3| Sprints + Core

Kara

Gabi

It may be “shorter” but it’s still 🔥 🔥 🔥

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

Lexi Lou Williams

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 4 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

I love the finisher for this one! I was able to recruit my back way more with the Superman rainbows this week. So much so that I had to drop the weight a bit for the last round 😅

😲 
👆🏻
the face I made when I did 5 full, unassisted pull ups! 😎🥹🎉

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Whew this was hard today. Felt unfocused and a lil negative so those split squat jumps had me saying some bad words but the finisher cheered me up ☺️

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 3 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Whew!! Thought I might die but I didn’t and I did the sprints at 11 mph which still doesn’t seem real to me but I didn’t that!!!!!!

Bruh…. This will give you the best sweat sesh and making you feel like you can do ALLLL the things! Great start to the day!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 3| Sprints + Core

Increased weights in just about everything, 1000% sure I’ll be feeling that tomorrow 🤪

Slow and steady makes ya sweat and the muscles B U R N

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨
First 30min I was feeling pretty good and confident… and then I got the accessories and got my butt kicked!! Felt good tho and hit some prs on the dead stop squat 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

This one has quickly become one of my all time favorites! It’s such a good workout and will make you ✨ glisten ✨ like Glenda!

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 3 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Beast mode activated. 🥵 this phase is my FAVORITE.

Jordan

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 2 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Courtney

Ariana

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 3| Sprints + Core

I already know I’m gonna be sore from those plyo pushups again 😅

Got more done than I thought I would! Increased weights in just about everything and kept it pushing! Feeling good, know I’ll feel like mellow tomorrow 😮‍💨

Emily

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

I always leave the gym looking like I don’t know what hit me after your workouts 😆

Upped weights and got my butt kicked but think I could still go a bit heavier for some. Very cool to see and feel the strength built from phases 1&2

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 2 Day 1| Glutes, Quads & Abductors

I’m over here fighting for my life with these workouts and the grandpas at the gym keep coming up to me telling me I’m kicking butt 😆

Anna

Birthday workout today!! Those Superman’s were the death of me.  Def something to improve on.

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 5| Upper Body + Sprints

Had a lot of people watching the split jump ups! Never knew I had that much power in each leg until today!!💪🏼🫶🏽

Madison

Awesome workout. I had to modify the jumps due to my bad hips. But overall I got a great sweat and feel great

Phase 3 Athleticism| Wk 1 D4| Glutes, Hamstrings & Adductors

Those sprints! Fast and flat felt so much more doable after phase 2 with the 8 percent incline

Omg this hurt so good!! Loved it, I didn’t know I could run that fast!!

Perfect Saturday workout after night shift 🤩🤩🤩

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 3| Sprints + Core

This was an awesome upper body. Love this new program ❤️❤️

Phase 3 Athleticism| Week 1 Day 2| Chest, Back & Core

Got to finish it all but the core! Next time!

Lower Body Strength 8.5.24

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