If there’s one part of the body that is usually ignored by athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, it has to be the legs.
Leg day, for most people, is the most disliked day at the gym. But, in reality, leg day is probably the most important part of your weekly training. For anyone looking to improve their overall physical results, muscle definition, strength and core , LEG DAY is the last day you want to skip out on (or else end up as a viral meme somewhere on the inter-webs).
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Avoid being the brunt of a viral meme quoting, "Friends don't let friends skip out on leg day."[/caption]
There are tons of reasons why this holds true, but to get you started, here are just...
You can eat and drink as much protein and calcium as you want for healthy bones, but if your legs aren't strong enough, you're walking the road to disaster.
Imagine a table with weak legs. Yea, you get it; lack of balance and the risk of collapsing all together if too much load or force is applied. The same is the case with your legs; they form an essential part of your body’s entire support system in combination with your back and core , and lend better support and balance to your body. Having weak legs not only compromises your ability to do other fitness tasks as an athlete, but also reduces your body's ability to balance and increases your chance of injuries such as fractures. If you’re a female athlete, leg day is even more valuable because you’re prone to the early onset of chronic degenerative ailments of the bones such as osteoporosis , where exercises like squats and lunges have been shown to help increase bone density. You wouldn’t want a really bad fall to snap a bone and put a dent on your athletic career, would you? There are ways to resume exercise after leg fracture , but it’s not going to be as easy. Bottom line, strong legs make for a stronger and fitter you.
The more direct benefits of a brisk morning walk , or even a short sprint workout, are well-known. But a number of people tend to ignore the broader picture, even athletes themselves at times. The reduced levels of cortisol and stress act as a major motivator and thus induce a significant amount of productivity throughout the day.
An early morning sprint can even substitute for a long-moderate cardio routine that you might have done at the gym otherwise. And you know what body part gets a workout with a morning walk or run? Your legs! So naturally, the best way to get the greatest benefit out of a walk or run is to make your legs stronger so that the fatigue doesn’t get to you. In fact, jogging is a great way to maintain practice, particularly if you're a race athlete.
It’s no hidden fact that women dig men with nice, firm, and well-developed legs. Well, I’m not saying that a pair of manly legs should be every woman’s goal as well, but a well-shaped physique is important for that extra bit of sex appeal. A big part of body conditioning and contouring is to develop the body in a balanced way. Well-built shoulders and chest (in the case of men), and a curvy torso (in the case of women) must be complemented with a nice pair of healthy and athletic legs. And considering that most active wear for athletes is skin-tight, keeping the shape becomes even more important.
So if you’re planning on taking leg day a bit more seriously, which you definitely should after reading this, keep these tips in mind.
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Zyana Morris is a passionate health and lifestyle blogger who loves to write about prevailing trends. She is a featured author at various authoritative blogs in the health and lifestyle industry. She is working at Sophie and Trey , an online cute clothing boutique for women. You can find her using twitter @ZyanaMorris
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Leg day, for most people, is the most disliked day at the gym. But, in reality, leg day is probably the most important part of your weekly training. For anyone looking to improve their overall physical results, muscle definition, strength and core , LEG DAY is the last day you want to skip out on (or else end up as a viral meme somewhere on the inter-webs).
[caption id="attachment_22704" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Avoid being the brunt of a viral meme quoting, "Friends don't let friends skip out on leg day."[/caption]There are tons of reasons why this holds true, but to get you started, here are just...
3 Reasons Why You Should Never Skip Out on Leg Day
Reason 1: Better musculoskeletal health
You can eat and drink as much protein and calcium as you want for healthy bones, but if your legs aren't strong enough, you're walking the road to disaster.
Imagine a table with weak legs. Yea, you get it; lack of balance and the risk of collapsing all together if too much load or force is applied. The same is the case with your legs; they form an essential part of your body’s entire support system in combination with your back and core , and lend better support and balance to your body. Having weak legs not only compromises your ability to do other fitness tasks as an athlete, but also reduces your body's ability to balance and increases your chance of injuries such as fractures. If you’re a female athlete, leg day is even more valuable because you’re prone to the early onset of chronic degenerative ailments of the bones such as osteoporosis , where exercises like squats and lunges have been shown to help increase bone density. You wouldn’t want a really bad fall to snap a bone and put a dent on your athletic career, would you? There are ways to resume exercise after leg fracture , but it’s not going to be as easy. Bottom line, strong legs make for a stronger and fitter you.
Reason 2: Better productivity and motivation
The more direct benefits of a brisk morning walk , or even a short sprint workout, are well-known. But a number of people tend to ignore the broader picture, even athletes themselves at times. The reduced levels of cortisol and stress act as a major motivator and thus induce a significant amount of productivity throughout the day.
An early morning sprint can even substitute for a long-moderate cardio routine that you might have done at the gym otherwise. And you know what body part gets a workout with a morning walk or run? Your legs! So naturally, the best way to get the greatest benefit out of a walk or run is to make your legs stronger so that the fatigue doesn’t get to you. In fact, jogging is a great way to maintain practice, particularly if you're a race athlete.
Reason 3: Better body contouring
It’s no hidden fact that women dig men with nice, firm, and well-developed legs. Well, I’m not saying that a pair of manly legs should be every woman’s goal as well, but a well-shaped physique is important for that extra bit of sex appeal. A big part of body conditioning and contouring is to develop the body in a balanced way. Well-built shoulders and chest (in the case of men), and a curvy torso (in the case of women) must be complemented with a nice pair of healthy and athletic legs. And considering that most active wear for athletes is skin-tight, keeping the shape becomes even more important.
Some important tips
So if you’re planning on taking leg day a bit more seriously, which you definitely should after reading this, keep these tips in mind.
- Know your goals; if you’re a runner, then you’d want to throw in some strength training for the legs as well along with the regulars.
- Effective exercises include squats, deadlifts and lunges , as well as single-leg variations of those movements. Opt for free weight exercise instead of lower body machines to engage your core in the process.
- Don’t add more weight or attempt to go for speed until you’ve got the movement patterns dialed-in; you’ll increase your chances of injury in you do.
- When in doubt, consult a certified trainer or coach.
So, if all else fails... remember this...
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Author Bio: Zyana Morris
Zyana Morris is a passionate health and lifestyle blogger who loves to write about prevailing trends. She is a featured author at various authoritative blogs in the health and lifestyle industry. She is working at Sophie and Trey , an online cute clothing boutique for women. You can find her using twitter @ZyanaMorris
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