Author: Matt Keats
There are many cringe-worthy sights to be seen at local gyms. From individuals who spend more time taking selfies than exercising to those who require 20 minutes or more to finish a single exercise on a machine, some situations are more noticeable than others. However, there is perhaps nothing more shocking than witnessing a fitness enthusiast whose massive upper body is complemented by toothpicks for legs. While there is no doubt that a proper leg workout takes a great deal of time and energy, the fact of the matter is that such attention is absolutely critical if you hope to boast a well-rounded physique. However, there are additional reasons why it is never a good idea to skip leg day. Let’s take a closer look.
Bigger Legs Equate to a Bigger Body
Anyone who is looking to pack on those much-needed kilograms of lean mass should pay more attention to their legs. We need to remember that all of the different muscular groups throughout the body are interrelated in one way or another. This is particularly the case when referring to chemicals such as growth hormone (GH) and testosterone. The release of these substances has been shown to stimulate muscle growth, so the legs play much more of an important role than you may have thought.
Blasting Through Lifting Targets
It also stands to reason that enduring a proper leg workout will help to increase your levels of overall strength. This arises from the fact that the legs play an integral role in many other exercises. They provide extra stability during a heavy bench pressing session. Certain movements such as stiff-legged deadlifts will increase lower back strength, helping you to perform compound movements such as lat pull-downs and bent-over rows. In other words, neglecting your legs essentially equates to neglecting the prospects of long-term strength gains.
Visual Symmetry
Aesthetics play another crucial role for those who are looking to achieve the vaunted “x”-tapered body. The legs comprise a significant amount of your frame. If they are hardly ever trained, it will be immediately noticeable when wearing shorts or if you happen to head down to the beach. In fact, some individuals who never train legs can even suffer from self-esteem issues; causing them to be more hesitant within specific social situations. This is why legs should always be a part of your weekly training regimen.
Injury Avoidance
Perhaps the most important benefit of training legs is the fact that you can avoid potentially serious and/or chronic injuries. Some of these instances may cause significant pain and discomfort; potentially impacting your overall training schedule. The professionals at Bend + Mend explain the importance of training legs to avoid injuries such as peroneal tendinopathies. Other potential dangers include:
- Issues with the knee and hip joints.
- A pronounced lack of flexibility.
- Relatively poor circulation when compared to other areas of the body.
- Hamstring or quadriceps strains.
The best way to prevent these and other situations is to train legs on a regular basis according to your age, goals and fitness level.
On a final note, we need to point out that developing a targeted training regimen and keeping specific milestones in mind will enable you to remain motivated even when the going gets tough. No one has ever claimed that working out legs is easy. Still, the required hard work and dedication will undoubtedly pay off in the long run. Whether you are looking to pack on the kilos or simply maintain a well-balanced physique, legs can be your best friends if you treat them properly.
