When you say “the best legs in bodybuilding history”, Jay Cutler’s name comes up at the top. The four-time Mr. Olympia champion became famous not only for his overall massiveness, but more importantly for his iconic “Quad Stomp” pose that forever changed the way we look at thigh development.
Now, at age 52, Cutler shares a key detail of his training that helped him build that massive outer thigh curve (called the sweep) that was the envy of the world.
The secret is in the stance
Although many exercisers rely on wide stances for maximum strength, Cutler’s strategy for developing his quadriceps was just the opposite. In a recent video, he revealed that squats with a narrow stance were behind his success.
“Of all the top bodybuilders, I’m the one people come to for advice on legs,” Cutlersays . “I’m not going to lie, genetics played a big role. I had a great outer thigh arch. But I’ve always been a squatter with a narrow stance.”
Why the narrow stance?
Cutler explains the biomechanics simply:
- A narrow stance (feet close together): more effectively targets the front of the thighs and builds that coveted outer arch.
- Wide stance (Sumo style): engages the hamstrings, glutes and lower back much more.
“I try to isolate the quadriceps as much as possible. I know you can’t do it 100% with the squat, but you have to focus on the front of your thighs,” explains the legend.
How to do it according to Jay Cutler
If you want to try Cutler’s technique in your training, follow these rules:
- Posture: Keep your feet closer together.
- Toes.
- Reps: Aim for hypertrophy in the 10-12 rep range.
Even today, when Cutler’s training focuses on longevity rather than extreme volume, he remains true to this technique. He now incorporates pyramid sets into his workouts to increase intensity, but the principle remains the same: If you want big thighs, don’t be afraid to narrow your stance.
NARROW STANCE SQUATS WITH JAY CUTLER
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