💪 20 Essential Leg Exercises for Massive Gains

Unless your gym suddenly turned into a Spirit Halloween, there's no excuse to miss out on your workouts this week. We've even got some tips to get you started.  

But first, today’s Ripped Report is presented by Element 26. If you’re looking for high-quality support during your next PR, the Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt is a sturdy option that stays tight and secure so you can lift big without worrying about wear and tear.

What do a Golden Eagle, a Blade, and a Shadow have in common? They’re among the best bodybuilding nicknames of all time. 

Classic Physique competitor Breon Ansley looks to reclaim his Olympia crown by bulking up before December's show. His bison-heavy diet should get him there.

If your leg day needs a boost, we've rounded up the 20 best moves to have in your routine. 

BODYBUILDING

Best Bodybuilding Nicknames

Yes, bodybuilding is a sport about expertly sculpted physiques — but to really stand out, competitors also need to craft an over-the-top persona to go with those striated quads and vascular biceps. Otherwise, they run the risk of being just another generic beefcake in a glitzy pair of posing trunks.

So, how does one go about creating a stage-worthy gimmick? Well, if we’ve learned anything from the world of professional wrestling, it all starts with a nickname. And the history of bodybuilding is filled with some great ones: We’ve had Chemists, Kings, Austrian Oaks, and plenty more over the decades. And below, we’ve rounded up the 10 best.

NUTRITION

Breon Ansley's Bulking Diet

Eating like a bodybuilder isn’t for everybody, especially if you like your food to, ya know, have a little flavor on it. But there’s also something utterly fascinating about the dedication it takes to wolf down plate after plate of plain chicken, cups of egg whites, and bushels of sweet potatoes in order to soak up all those precious gains.

Take two-time Classic Physique Olympia champ, Breon Ansley, for example. He’s currently prepping for the 2022 Olympia with a renewed focus on bulking up in order to dethrone the reigning winner, Chris Bumstead. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Ansley walked viewers through every single meal of his day to show how much food goes into his prep. And if six meals sound like a lot to stomach, try doing it every day for months at a time.

FROM OUR SPONSOR

The Stability You Need to Crush Your PRs

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This belt has both a velcro strap and a self-locking buckle that ensure it will never fail during a lift, no matter how much weight you’re hoisting. And those features are bolstered by the belt’s sturdy 100% nylon construction, which means it’s suited to withstand the rigors of day-in, day-out gym use.

While this belt is a perfect gym partner during your toughest training days, it’s also fully approved for use in Olympic weightlifting meets and functional fitness competitions. To find out why customers have awarded Element 26’s Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt a 4.5-star rating out of five, head here for more info.

TRAINING TIPS

Build a Better Leg Day

A top-notch leg day routine is the foundation of any great physique. But before you can really build those pants-busting quads, you need to make sure you're choosing the right exercises first. 

To help you cut through the confusion of numerous squat, deadlift, and lunge variations, we've rounded up the 20 best leg exercises for size and strength. And not only did we pick the moves, but we also broke down how to do each one. How's that for convenience? 

THE DROPSET

Mike O'Hearn Weighs in on Andrew Jacked

• It seems like everyone involved in bodybuilding has an opinion on Andrew Jacked’s chances at the Olympia. Now you can add Mike O’Hearn to the list of people who think Jacked is primed for a big Mr. O debut.

• Bodybuilders Nick Walker and Urs Kalecinski are two of the sport's biggest up-and-coming stars, and they recently teamed up for a titanic back workout during their Olympia prep.

• How long should your workouts last? Whether you’re a bodybuilder, strength athlete, or a beginner, we’ve got some guidelines to follow. ​​

SOUND OFF!

Two Months to Go

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

Krizo at the Olympia

In the October 11, 2022, edition of The Ripped Report, we asked you where Michal Krizo would place at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Here are the results:

1. Top 10 (46%)

2. Top 5 (25%)

3. First place (13%)

4. Top 15 (8%)

5. Top 3 (4%)

6. Last (4%)