Strong Legs – Why You Need Them and How You Get Them

Author: Shannon Miller Lifestyle

Think about all that your legs do for you – from the time you get up in the morning until you crawl back into bed at night.

Doing leg strengthening exercises is a beneficial practice for anyone who does the following on a regular basis:

  • Walks
  • Runs
  • Rollerblades
  • Hikes
  • Chases their kids around
  • Plays tennis
  • Plays on a rec league for soccer or basketball
  • Rides a bike

Having strong legs can help in the prevention of injury; if your legs are in shape, then they are in a good position to provide support for your knees, hips, and ankles.  In many ways, these joints rely on your legs for their safety!  So, do yourself and your joints a favor and make the following machines a part of your weekly gym routine – they will be sure to help your legs become the strong and sturdy body parts that you always knew they could be!

The Elliptical machine:  Of course the elliptical is a great full body workout, but included in that are your legs.  It’s low impact, so it’s easy on the joints.  If you’re looking for a good way to get your heart rate going while also paying some attention to your legs, this is definitely an option!

The following machines involve choosing an amount of weight to work with that you are comfortable with.  If you do 10 repetitions and feel as though you could do 10 more, you should probably increase the weight.  If you do 2 or 3 repetitions and feel like it’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done, you should probably decrease the weight.  Try doing 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions.  Below are the names of several different machines along with which part of the leg that is targeted.  For each machine, there are directions printed on the machine itself (which you may know if you are an avid gym-goer but may not know otherwise).

Machine
Target area
Leg extension Quadriceps
Kneeling leg curl Hamstrings
Calf extension Calf muscles
Seated leg press Quadriceps, gluteus, hamstrings

Tip: If you need further assistance, ask a gym employee – they will be glad to help you!

Web Design and Marketing