Single-leg Step Downs
13s
Stand in front of a sturdy box or bench and place your entire lead foot firmly on the surface, ensuring your knee is aligned directly over your ankle. Lean your torso slightly forward to shift your center of gravity over the working leg, then drive through your heel to extend your hip and knee until you are standing tall on top of the box. Focus on using the elevated leg to do all the work, resisting the urge to "spring" or push off the floor with your trailing foot. Lower yourself back down with a slow, highly controlled tempo, touching the floor lightly with your back foot before immediately beginning the next repetition. This unilateral powerhouse primarily targets the quadriceps and gluteus maximus, while the hamstrings and adductors work to stabilize the knee and pelvis, making it an essential movement for correcting strength imbalances and improving functional balance.