11 Strong Lower Body CrossFit Workouts 2024 (For All Levels)

To strengthen and tone your lower body, embracing lower body CrossFit workouts is a brilliant decision. As someone who values fitness, I’ve found that targeting the muscle groups in the legs and hips isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s crucial for improving overall athletic performance and daily functional movements.

Key Facts about Lower Body CrossFit Workouts:
– The beauty of lower body workouts within the CrossFit realm is their combination of strength and endurance challenges.
– From heavy barbell squats that test your strength to plyometric jumps that boost your explosiveness, these workouts are designed to hit every muscle from different angles and with varied types of resistance.
– Leg workouts are not just about building muscle but also about enhancing stability, balance, and coordination, which are vital for executing complex movements both in and out of the gym.

Integrating these lower body routines into my fitness regime has not only improved my power but also significantly contributed to my muscle endurance. Doing so ensures a well-rounded approach to fitness and prevents the common mistake of neglecting the lower half, which supports and powers the rest of the body through countless activities.

Whether you’re an athlete or someone who enjoys a good sweat session, incorporating lower body CrossFit workouts into your schedule can lead to substantial gains in strength, function, and overall health. Let me show you my favorite lower body CrossFit Workouts.

11 Essential Lower Body CrossFit Workouts

When crafting lower body CrossFit workouts, it’s crucial to incorporate exercises that target all the major muscle groups, including the hamstrings, quads, glutes, and calves. These workouts are tailored to enhance muscle growth and improve strength and conditioning. Let’s dive into varied workouts suited for different fitness levels.

4 Sample Beginner Workouts

  1. Air Squats:

    • Perform 3 sets of 15 reps.
    • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, squat down, pushing hips back and keeping the chest up.
  2. Walking Lunges:

    • Complete 2 sets of 10 reps each leg.
    • Step forward into a lunge and alternate legs as you move.
  3. Box Jumps:

    • Do 3 sets of 10 jumps.
    • Jump onto a stable box and step down carefully to avoid injury.
  4. Deadlift:

    • Aim for 3 sets of 8 reps with a light barbell.
    • Keep your back straight and lift from the hips and knees.
Boat Interior Design woman performing lunges in gym with barbell
by Pinterest

4 Intermediate lower body CrossFit Workouts

  1. Back Squats:

    • Execute 4 sets of 8 reps at 60% of your 1-rep max.
    • Keep weight on your heels and maintain a straight posture throughout.
  2. Front Squats:

    • Perform 4 sets of 10 reps.
    • The bar should rest on the front shoulders with elbows high throughout the movement.
  3. Calf Raises:

    • Complete 4 sets of 15-20 reps.
    • Raise your heels high off the ground and hold briefly at the top.
  4. Deadlift:

    • Do 4 sets of 6 reps at a challenging yet manageable weight.
    • Ensure proper form to target the hamstrings and glutes without straining the back.
Boat Interior Design man standing ready for lower body crossfit workouts in gym
by Pinterest

3 Advanced Conditioning Complexes

  1. Squat Jump:

    • 5 sets of 20 jumps to boost explosive power and endurance.
    • Squat deeply before jumping, landing with control.
  2. Lunges with Barbells:

    • Perform 5 sets of 12 reps on each leg.
    • Add weight with a barbell to increase intensity while maintaining balance and form.
  3. Thrusters:

    • You’ll aim for 5 sets of 10 reps, using a weight that allows for a full range of motion.
    • Combine a front squat with an overhead press, driving through the heels, and utilizing full body momentum.

Understanding Lower Body Muscles in CrossFit

When I tackle lower body CrossFit workouts, I’m focused on engaging a complex group of muscles that are critical for performance. It’s not just about aesthetics; these muscles are the powerhouse for most athletic movements.

Importance of Strong Legs and Glutes

Building strength in the legs and glutes is fundamental in CrossFit. The legs, encompassing the quadriceps at the front of the thigh, the hamstrings at the back, and the calves below, provide explosive power for movements like squats, jumps, and sprints.

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Glutes are equally important, contributing to stability and force during lifts and when propelling myself forward. Without strong legs and glutes, my ability to perform a range of CrossFit exercises with high intensity and resistance would suffer.

  • Quads: Responsible for knee extension and vital for squatting movements.
  • Hamstrings: Work in tandem with quad muscles to control leg movements and stability.
  • Calves: Propel me into jumps and stabilize when I’m lifting heavy weights.
  • Glutes: Comprise the largest muscle in the body, crucial for power generation.

Free Workout Plans For You.

Do you need a motivation kick? Here are some powerful workout plans (+PDF download) you can choose from:
Pamela Reif Workout Plan
30 day Peloton workout plan
Beginner Calisthenics Workout Plan

Role of the Core in Stability

The core is not just about the abs; it includes deep muscles around the hips, and the lower back. When I’m in the midst of a CrossFit workout, my core is what maintains my body’s stability and balance. A strong core from CrossFit ab workouts protects my spine during heavy lifts and maintains my body alignment during complex compound movements.

  • Abs: Front muscles that engage during most CrossFit exercises.
  • Obliques: Side muscles that assist in rotational movements and side-to-side motions.
  • Lower Back: Supports the spine, crucial for maintaining posture during lifts.

My lower body workouts are not complete without integrating core exercises that enhance my stability and performance in all other exercises. It’s a comprehensive approach that ensures all relevant muscle groups are engaged and strengthened for peak performance. Keep a balance between upper body and lower body CrossFit workouts. To do so you can try my CrossFit Back Workouts or the Chest CrossFit Workout.

Boat Interior Design woman doing exercises for legs and glute with weight disc
by Pinterest

Supportive Strategies for Lower Body Development

When I think about elevating my lower body CrossFit workouts, I focus not just on the exercises themselves but also on the supportive strategies that ensure ongoing progress and minimize the risk of injury.

Nutrition and Recovery

Nutrition: For muscle growth and repair, it’s critical that I fuel my body with the right balance of nutrients. I emphasize:

  • Proteins: Essential for muscle repair. I aim for lean sources like chicken, fish, or plant-based alternatives.
  • Carbohydrates: They replenish my glycogen stores, which is crucial after a strenuous workout. Whole grains and vegetables are my go-to.
  • Fats: Healthy fats are a key part of my diet for hormone function and energy. I include options like avocados and nuts.

On top, I like following the Andrew Huberman Pre Workout Routine. That is just another kick in the right direction.

Recovery: After lower body CrossFit workouts, recovery plays a major role in my fitness gains:

  • Sleep: I ensure I get 7–9 hours a night for optimal muscle recovery.
  • Hydration: I drink plenty of water throughout the day, not just during workouts.

Besides that, I like to do some low-impact sports, like good old CrossFit Swim Workouts. The easy movements will get your legs fresh again.

Mobility and Flexibility Work

Mobility: To improve my range of motion, especially in the hips and ankles, I include mobility exercises such as Ankle Mobility like calf raises and stretches to improve my ankle flexibility, which is fundamental for squats and deadlifts. On top, I recommend Hip Extensions. I perform dynamic stretches and movements to enhance hip mobility for better performance in exercises like lunges and box jumps.

Boat Interior Design man doing lunges outside during a crossfit workout for lower body
by Pinterest

Achieving a well-rounded fitness routine requires adequate flexibility in the thoracic spine and lower back, as these elements play a crucial role in overall body composition and injury prevention. To enhance thoracic mobility, I incorporate foam roller exercises to promote flexibility in my upper back, facilitating proper posture during lifts.

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My Experience with Lower Body CrossFit Workouts

I’ve learned that solid lower body CrossFit workouts can provide a comprehensive challenge that’s as fun as it is intense. When I embarked on this fitness journey, I aimed to enhance my lower-body strength, endurance, and muscle definition for my running performance, and CrossFit delivered on all fronts.

Despite the challenges of lower body CrossFit workouts, the community aspect of CrossFit kept me motivated. Sharing the workout space and alternating rounds in Partner CrossFit Workouts added a social dimension that pushed me harder. My lower body strength has notably increased, and the variety in movements has kept my muscles engaged and me far from bored. Each session feels like a fresh challenge, and the payoff in physical progress is undeniable. Now it’s your turn to try!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CrossFit train legs?

Absolutely. CrossFit includes a variety of workouts that specifically target the leg muscles, from squats to deadlifts, ensuring comprehensive leg training. Try lower body CrossFit Workouts.

What are the toughest CrossFit exercises targeting the legs?

In terms of difficulty, exercises like pistol squats and high-rep Olympic lifts, such as cleans and snatches, really challenge the legs. Tempo barbell back squats with controlled speeds are also known for their intensity.

How can I effectively train my legs and core with CrossFit?

You can train both your legs and core by incorporating exercises in lower body CrossFit workouts like deadlifts and Hang Squat Cleans that require core stabilization, as well as dedicated core movements like Glute-Ham Developer Sit Ups.

How do you build legs with CrossFit?

To build leg strength, lower body CrossFit workouts use a mix of high-intensity power movements like Power Cleans and strength-building exercises such as front and back squats, often at a percentage of your 1-rep max for optimal growth.

What should I train on lower body day?

On lower body day, focus on compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and lunges that hit multiple muscle groups, paired with accessory work for calves and hamstrings to ensure a balanced workout.


Do you like lower body CrossFit workouts? Let me know in the comments. Don’t forget to try 12 Days of Christmas CrossFit Workout and my absolute favorite CrossFit Running Workouts.

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