Getting Legs That Are To Die For

Leg Press Exercise

This exercise is the best starting point for increasing your leg strength. There are different kinds of leg press machines. Some cause you to push forward, while others result in upward pushing.

You should follow the same basic principles for any machine. The first is to keep the pressure on the bottom half of your feet. This allows you to fully drive through each rep.

It's also important to use a full range of motion. A common mistake is decreasing the effectiveness of this exercise by only partially extending. You want to push all the way forward and come all the way back.

Be definite that you keep your back leaning on the seat all throughout the exercise. You don't want to start rocking back and forth as you're completing your leg presses.

Squats

Squats aren't easy. But they are very effective. You can count on squats to help you build great legs.

Many people like to begin with leg presses and progress to squats. Just keep in mind squats are more taxing than leg presses. Being able to leg press several hundred pounds doesn't automatically translate to the same amount with squats.

What makes squats the hardest is going all the way down until it looks like you're seated. This is also what makes squats the most effective. Don't cheat yourself by only going partially down.

Beginning light will set the mood right for this kind of exercise. While keeping your feet about shoulder width apart will help you stay balanced, it still takes some time to adjust to the specific feel of this exercise.

Many people squat with a Smith machine. While this gives them a safe feeling, the only problem with this is that it makes the motion unnatural. You're better off using a free bar with less weight.

Seated Calf Raises

This exercise is great for defining your calves. This type of free weight machine isolates your calves to maximize their pump.

One common mistake is not fully extending. Getting the most from this exercise means putting your toes on the very edge of the footstools and lowering the top pads against your thighs. For each rep, toes should be fully extended and be finished with the heel all the way down. Being unable to perform this full motion means you need to dial down the weight.

You can also work your calves by using a leg press machine. This variation involves putting your toes on the bottom of the leg press platform and keeping your legs extended as you perform your reps by pushing with your toes. You should be able to feel each rep working your calves.


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Zach Hunt used to be 107 lbs. overweight started Physzique a Spokane BootCamp firm. Zach helps Spokane residents get the body they want with 100% success. Take a look at Spokane Personal Training & get the inside scoop on this program.