Leg Pass
One squat pattern and one hinge, then a single-leg accessory and calves. Depth only as far as a quiet spine.
How this session works
Ten-minute warm-up, then the list. Three sets on squat and hinge. Rest 90–120 seconds on those. Do not max both patterns on the same day.
Warm-up
1 Marching in Place
40–50 secondsEasy knee lift to wake the hip flexors.
Option. Keep it very low-impact and slow on low-energy days. Add a little height or speed when you feel ready.
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1
Stand tall with soft knees and relaxed shoulders.
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2
Lift one knee to a comfortable height while swinging the opposite arm forward.
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3
Alternate sides in a steady, rhythmic march.
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4
Keep the torso upright and breathe naturally.
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5
Stay light on your feet — no stomping.
Another way
2 Ankle Circles
8–10 each direction per ankleSlow and complete. Feel the lower leg come alive.
Option. Do them seated if balance is tricky today. Point and flex the foot for extra mobility.
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1
Stand or sit, lift one foot off the floor.
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2
Keeping the leg relatively still, circle the ankle slowly clockwise for several reps.
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3
Reverse to counterclockwise.
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4
Switch feet and repeat.
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5
Move through a comfortable full range without forcing.
Another way
3 Leg Swings
8–10 front-back + 8–10 side-to-side per legSupport yourself if needed. Smooth arcs only.
Option. Start with smaller swings and increase the range as you feel looser. Keep the torso quiet — the movement comes from the hip.
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1
Stand tall beside a wall or sturdy chair, holding it lightly for balance.
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2
Shift weight onto one leg and swing the other leg forward and backward in a smooth pendulum motion.
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3
Keep the swinging leg mostly straight but soft at the knee; control the range.
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4
After 8–12 swings, switch to side-to-side swings across the body.
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5
Switch legs and repeat.
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6
Stay upright — avoid leaning or twisting excessively.
Another way
Main
4 Marching in Place
2 minutesEasy march. Soft knees.
Option. Tiny steps count.
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1
Stand tall with soft knees and relaxed shoulders.
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2
Lift one knee to a comfortable height while swinging the opposite arm forward.
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3
Alternate sides in a steady, rhythmic march.
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4
Keep the torso upright and breathe naturally.
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5
Stay light on your feet — no stomping.
Another way
5 Hip Circles
45 secondsSlow circles. Both ways.
Option. Small range is fine.
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1
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, soft knees, hands on hips or out to the sides.
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2
Circle your hips slowly in one direction, keeping the upper body relatively still.
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3
Make the circles as large and smooth as feels good.
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4
After several circles, reverse direction.
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5
Breathe and keep the movement fluid.
Another way
6 Bodyweight Squats
1–2 set, 8–10 repsGroove the squat. Sit to a chair height if you want a target.
Option. Chair Sit-to-Stand.
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1
Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
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2
Brace your core and keep your chest lifted and shoulders back.
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3
Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower as if sitting back into a chair.
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4
Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as feels comfortable.
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5
Drive through your heels to stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top.
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6
Keep your knees tracking over your toes throughout the movement.
Another way
7 Goblet Squat
3 sets, 8–12 repsDumbbell at the chest. Sit the hips down and back. Stand tall.
Option. Bodyweight Squats or Chair Sit-to-Stand. Box height beats a rounded back.
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1
Stand tall holding one dumbbell vertically at your chest with both hands.
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2
Brace your core and keep your chest proud.
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3
Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower into a squat.
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4
Lower until your thighs are parallel to the floor or as low as comfortable.
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5
Drive through your heels to stand back up.
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6
Keep elbows inside your knees and torso upright.
Another way
8 Romanian Dumbbell Deadlift
3 sets, 8–12 repsSoft knees. Hinge. Weights stay close. Stand by squeezing the glutes.
Option. Shorten the range. Or Glute Bridges if the hinge feels unsure.
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1
Stand tall holding dumbbells in front of your thighs, soft knees.
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2
Hinge at your hips, pushing your butt back.
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3
Lower the dumbbells along your thighs while keeping your back flat and chest up.
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4
Feel the stretch in your hamstrings.
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5
Squeeze your glutes to stand back tall.
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6
Keep the movement slow and controlled.
Another way
9 Lunges
2–3 sets, 8–10 per sideStep forward or back. Front shin mostly vertical. Drive through the front foot.
Option. Hold a wall. Or split squats in place. Skip if a knee complains.
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1
Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
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2
Step one foot forward and lower until both knees are bent at about 90 degrees.
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3
Keep your front knee directly over your ankle and your back knee hovering just above the floor.
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4
Push through your front heel to return to standing.
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5
Alternate legs with each rep.
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6
Keep your torso upright and core braced the whole time.
Another way
10 Glute Bridges
2 sets, 12–15 repsFeet flat. Ribs down. Squeeze at the top. Lower slow.
Option. Single-leg only if the two-leg version feels quiet.
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1
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
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2
Place your arms by your sides, palms down.
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3
Press through your heels and squeeze your glutes to lift your hips toward the ceiling.
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4
Hold for one second at the top, forming a straight line from knees to shoulders.
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5
Slowly lower your hips back down with control.
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6
Repeat, keeping the movement smooth.
Another way
11 Calf Raises
3 sets, 12–20 repsFull up, full down. Pause at the top.
Option. Hold a wall. One leg when two legs get easy.
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1
Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, holding onto a wall or chair for balance if needed.
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2
Slowly rise up onto the balls of your feet.
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3
Hold for one second at the top, squeezing your calves.
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4
Lower your heels back down with control.
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5
Keep your knees soft and posture tall.
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6
Repeat with smooth, controlled movement.
Another way
Cool-down
12 Standing Quad Stretch
30–40 seconds per sideSupport yourself if needed. Tall and gentle.
Option. Hold a wall or chair for balance. Keep the stretch gentle — never force the heel higher than comfortable.
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1
Stand tall near a wall or chair for light support if needed.
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2
Bend one knee and grasp the ankle or top of the foot with the same-side hand.
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3
Gently draw the heel toward your glute while keeping the knees close together and hips level.
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4
Stand tall — avoid leaning forward or arching the lower back.
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5
Hold, breathe, then switch sides.
Another way
13 Standing Hamstring Stretch
30–40 seconds per sideHinge, long spine, no bounce.
Option. Bend the knee slightly if the stretch is too intense. Use a wall for balance. Keep the back long rather than rounding.
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1
Stand tall and place one heel on the floor a short distance in front or on a low step.
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2
Keep a soft bend in the standing leg if needed.
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3
Hinge at the hips, keeping the spine long, and reach gently toward the extended leg.
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4
Stop when you feel a mild stretch in the back of the thigh — no bouncing.
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5
Hold and breathe, then switch sides.
Another way
14 Standing Calf Stretch
25–35 seconds per sideBoth straight-leg and soft-knee versions if time allows.
Option. Bend the back knee slightly to shift the stretch lower (soleus). Hold a wall for support.
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1
Stand facing a wall or sturdy surface, hands resting lightly on it.
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2
Step one foot back, keeping both feet pointing forward.
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3
Press the back heel toward the floor and gently lean your body forward until you feel a stretch in the calf.
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4
Keep the back leg mostly straight for the gastrocnemius; bend it slightly for a deeper lower-calf feel.
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5
Hold, breathe, switch sides.
Another way
Heels down. Knees track over the toes. Cut depth or load the moment the low back rounds.
Move with good form and listen to your body. If you have a medical condition, an injury, or any concerns, talk to your doctor before you start.