Jump to the routine

Lift Like a Linebacker for More Size and Strength

Carolina’s Luke Kuechly is one of the NFL’s most dominant defenders. Here's his workout.

Jump to the Routine
  • 30 min

  • 6

  • Yes

Luke Keuchly NFL's Carolina Panthers
Luke Keuchly NFL's Carolina Panthers

No linebacker in football has accomplished more in the last five years than the Panthers’ Luke Kuechly (pronounced KEEK-lee). At Boston College, he led his team and the ACC in tackles as a true freshman in 2009. Each of the next two years he led the entire nation in tackles, earning consensus first team All-American honors and a slew of other awards.

From there he entered the NFL draft and was picked ninth overall by the Carolina Panthers, then won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. About the only individual award he hasn’t won is a Super Bowl MVP—and he’s working on it.

“It keeps you motivated,” says Kuechly of his early success. “You’ve set the bar, and anything less than that isn’t where you want to be. So for me, it’s keep going, take coaching, work hard in the weight room and on the field, and keep myself at that level.”

Did You Know?

Kuechly amassed 164 combined tackles to lead the league his rookie season and has been a top linebacker in the NFL ever since.

The workout below was designed by Panthers strength and conditioning coach Joe “Big House” Kenn.

Routine

Want a copy on the go?
Print

The Workout

Lift Like Luke

Exercise
Equipment
Sets
Reps
Rest
Exercise 1 of 6

Neutral-Grip Log Bar Chain Bench Press

Equipment
Sets
5
Reps
5
Rest
--
Superset with exercise below.
Exercise 3 of 6

Hang Clean

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
6
Reps
2
Rest
30 sec
Superset with exercise below.
Exercise 5 of 6

Machine Row

Equipment
Sets
5
Reps
8
Rest
--
How to
Superset with exercise below.
Exercise 6 of 6

Terminal Knee Extension

Equipment
Sets
3
Reps
10
Rest
--
With a band looped around the back of your knee, extend your legs to a full lockout.
See all of our tutorials