Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler is still making every rep count at 52. In a YouTube video from May 26, 2026, he showcased his latest leg day workout in retirement.
During his prime, Cutler tested himself in one of the toughest eras the sport has seen. In 2006, he joined the history books, having dethroned eight-time Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman.
After losing the crown in 2008 to Dexter Jackson, Cutler kept his head down and boasted his all-time best look a year later to reclaim the Sandow trophy. He’s stepped away from the sport in a competitive capacity, but watches the Men’s Open with a close eye.
Most bodybuilders drastically downsize and lose their conditioning in retirement. However, Cutler hasn’t, thanks to consistent workouts and strict dieting. Legs were easily his greatest strength onstage, prompting the IFBB Pro to lay out his current lower body routine.
Jay Cutler’s Massive Leg Day Routine at 52
Find Cutler’s exercises from the video below:
- Leg curl machine
- Stiff-Legged deadlift
- Single leg curl machine
- Walking barbell lunges
- Lying leg curl machine
- Leg extension machine
- Vertical leg press machine
- Leg press machine
- Roger squat machine
- Dumbbell hip thrust
- Stationary bike
In the video, Cutler emphasized that he’s still training seven days a week in retirement.
“I’ve been training for seven days. So, really, I haven’t taken days off in a long time,” he said. “I’m actually exercising on a daily, like I said, 7 days a week.”
“I’m just being more informative about exercise, heart rate, blood flow, metabolism, and stress.”
He pointed out that a fitness routine can help individuals wake up pain-free.
“If you can put fitness into your life in some sort of aspect, it’s going to be so beneficial. I see that every successful person… your fulfillment is your daily activity and knowing waking up that you’re not in pain, that your health is in check because health is first. Health is wealth, right?”
He notes that physical fitness doesn’t mean lifting weights. Cutler said activities like walking, tennis, pickleball, and basketball are all suitable options. He also shared that a steady routine can help with mental stress.
“Fitness should be a daily routine in everyone’s life. And that means just fitness, walking the neighborhood, swimming, playing tennis, pickleball, basketball, pickup games, whatever.
I think that just having some activity that’s going to take your mind away from the pressures of every time you go on social media, all we hear about is politics, war, and financial distress.”
Jay Cutler has been open and honest about how training has changed as he’s aged. He and Rich Gaspari emphasized that they have been able to hold on to their size in retirement using lighter weights.
At 52, Cutler still hits legs with volume and intensity. He believes consistency and focused effort have helped him stay in shape over the years.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Shares His 1993 Bodybuilder Breakfast of Champions That He Still Follows Today
