When it comes to building the wheels required to find success on the road to the 2026 Mr. Olympia title, few can compete with Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obiekea’s drive to be the very best in Las Vegas. To that end, Jacked recently took to Instagram to share a heavy lower body routine that will work his legs and lower back with the goal of becoming the number one bodybuilder in the industry. So, with the Olympia final less than a month away, here’s how the Nigerian completes his sweat filled sessions.
“Brick by brick,” wrote the man they call the “Mona Lisa” of bodybuilding, explaining the consistent process he employs, to present the best possible picture of himself. Of course, Jacked has already become a serious threat on the Olympia stage — In 2025, AJ placed third, and in 2026 he further cemented his superstar status by winning the Arnold Classic both in the U.S., and in the U.K.
Andrew Jacked’s 2026 Olympia Lower Body Workout Routine?
- Leverage Squats
- Belted Squats
- Leg Press
- Leg Extensions
- Hip Thrusts
Sets, Reps, and Form Cues for Andrew Jacked’s Leg Hypertrophy Session
AJ began with the leverage squat machine and due to the platform angle, the bodybuilder was able to find a deeper squat than he would by squatting on a flat surface, hammering his quads, glutes and hamstrings into submission.
Second, AJ sank deep into each squat once again by repping out some belted squats. While this exercise is often overshadowed by the traditional barbell back squat, it has the advantage of taking the load off the spine, since the belt is secured just above the hips. Studies have shown that despite the different positioning, the belted squat is still very effective at targeting the quads, glutes, and hamstrings. So, if you want to get the benefits out of a squat without balancing the bar on your shoulders, give this one a try.
Third, AJ leaned back on the leg press and placed his feet lower down on the platform to emphasize his quadriceps, due to the greater level of knee flexion required to descend and return the plates.
For his fourth and penultimate exercise, AJ took to the leg extension machine and crushed his quads further still, making sure to feel the contraction at the top of the lift for an increased level of stretch and time under tension.
Finally, one of the biggest prize money earners in bodybuilding history showed that he was still hungry for his first Mr. Olympia title, by giving his all on the plate loaded hip thrust machine, a device that is specifically engineered for glute isolation. Notice how AJ does not overarch or go past a horizontal position with his back but uses his hips to drive those seriously stacked plates skyward.
To replicate this lower body workout for yourself, choose a weight that you can perform 8 to 12 reps with, for 2 to 3 sets on each move, and prioritize your form, a deep stretch, and time under tension over the numbers on the machines. It’s like Andrew Jacked often says: building a championship worthy physique is a “brick by brick” process.
Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend takes place from Sept. 24 to 27, 2026 in Las Vegas. For more information, click here.
To follow Andrew Jacked on Instagram, click here.