Most handlers think “strong legs” just means squats and lunges, but agility demands strength that works in every direction.

The goal is power, control, and stability when the dog changes speed or the course forces quick transitions.

• You need single-leg stability far more than bilateral strength

• Deceleration strength prevents slipping, sliding, and knee strain

• Power + quickness beat “strong but slow” every time

Your plan should challenge you in the same ways the course does — forward, backward, sideways, and rotational.

If your routine hits these elements, it’s already doing more for your handling than 90% of generic programs.

• A good lower-body plan always includes hinge, squat, power, and lateral work

• Unilateral training is the most transferable skill for handlers

• If a class has no power or decel, it’s not building speed

You don’t need fancy equipment — you just need smarter variations.

One small tweak per exercise can turn a generic workout into something that actually improves your on-course performance.

• Swap any bilateral move for a single-leg version for instant agility carryover

• Add just 3–5 power reps before strength sets to train quickness

• Change the direction of the movement to mimic real handling (lateral or diagonal)

Many handlers have strong quads but weak hips, ankles, and hamstrings — a setup for slower acceleration and sloppy decel.

Filling these gaps is often the quickest path to feeling faster and more stable on course.

• If you never train hamstrings or hinge patterns, you lose speed

• Skipping lateral work is a guaranteed deceleration weakness

• Machines alone don’t prep you for multi-directional agility demands

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