So today I'm going to discuss the importance of LEG DAY!! Yes that one day most people skip and choose to do another exercise instead. But on the flip side all the guys at the gym wanna get big and grow. However, when I tell them that they must train their legs and put a lot of emphasis on their lower body training they look at me like I'm crazy. At that point, I laugh, look at them square in the eyes and remind them as to why they look like a toothpick/cartoon figure.HAHAHA!
Ok. So why should you do legs !?! How does it help your muscle growth!?! You are only training you lower body.It can't possibly have an effect on your upper body right!?!?!? Wrong!!!
Training Legs = More Muscles.
- Doing exercises like Squats and Deadlifts trigger an increase release of Growth Hormones and Testosterone. Now how does this help the rest of your body? Well your legs consist of the biggest muscles in your body. By training your legs, your body will have to release more growth hormones during recovery. In return, this release of extra growth hormones is used by other body parts grow as well. Which helps them grow.
Training Legs = Bigger Upper Body
- Exercises like the Deadlifts and Squats stimulate upper-body growth in other different ways. For example;
- Your arms squeeze the bar hard during heavy Squats and Deadlifts
- Your chest muscles tense hard during heavy deadlifts
- Your abs work hard at stabilizing the weight during Squats.
Training Legs = More strength
- When you train your legs, you also train your core. Having stronger legs and core muscles translate into increased strength in upper body lifts. In return this helps upper body development. For example;
- During the Bench Press, you must drive your legs to the floor during the lift. If you have strong legs, you'll have more leg drive and a bigger bench lift and thus bigger muscles.
- The Squat and the Deadlift help strengthen your lower back. As a result, this will help you stay strong on the Overhead Press.
- Training legs also gives you a strong base. Picture a tree with a big tree trunk. Those trees are immovable and stand strong.
Training Legs = Symmetry
- Obviously if you don`t train your legs, you are going to have toothpicks for legs with a big upper body. Which looks ridiculous. Also, if your upper body is bigger it will hinder your muscle growth. Your body has a self defence mechanism. If it detects that your upper body is bigger than you lower body. It will halt your muscle growth and prevent you from retaining anymore lean body mass until your imbalances are corrected. Do you think that Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman and or Serge Nubret skipped leg days!?!
Training Legs = Mental Strength
- Now here is why people don't train legs and avoid it all together. It is physically and mentally hard! Most people stay away from anything that is physically and mentally challenging. They prefer to do the easy stuff that is not too taxing on their body and mind. In all doing legs builds mental toughness and character.
