Importance of Lower Body Strength
Your lower body acts as the base of your support as you walk, run and jump. Concentrating only on your upper body when you work out is a mistake. Your largest muscles are located in your lower body. They are essential in movements you perform in day-to-day activities or in sports. When you strengthen your lower body, you are strengthening your largest muscles.
Benefits
Regular lower-body exercise also increases bone strength, improves your balance and stamina and decreases injuries to your knees and hips, along with your risk of falling. Children benefit by learning better balance, control and awareness of their bodies. Adults can customize their workouts to suit their activities. Also, a strong lower body helps slow the physical weakness that is part of the aging process and maintains balance, stamina and confidence.
Major Muscles
The major muscles of your lower body are the gluteals or the buttock muscles, which move your upper leg to the side or back; the abductors of the lateral thigh, which help move your leg to the side; the abductors of the inner thigh, which move your leg back toward midline; the hamstrings of the posterior thigh, which lift your heels toward your buttocks; the quadriceps of the anterior thigh, which straighten your leg; and the calf muscles, which point your feet downward and help you stand on your toes.
Workout Tips
Consult your physician as a first step. This is especially important if you have health problems or concerns. A trainer can help you set up an exercise and conditioning program for your individual needs. A typical program includes leg extensions, curls, lunges, squats and balance exercises. Machines at a gym isolate individual muscles and help you maintain proper form. You can also adjust exercise machines to increase or decrease resistance, as necessary.
Benefits
Regular lower-body exercise also increases bone strength, improves your balance and stamina and decreases injuries to your knees and hips, along with your risk of falling. Children benefit by learning better balance, control and awareness of their bodies. Adults can customize their workouts to suit their activities. Also, a strong lower body helps slow the physical weakness that is part of the aging process and maintains balance, stamina and confidence.
Major Muscles
The major muscles of your lower body are the gluteals or the buttock muscles, which move your upper leg to the side or back; the abductors of the lateral thigh, which help move your leg to the side; the abductors of the inner thigh, which move your leg back toward midline; the hamstrings of the posterior thigh, which lift your heels toward your buttocks; the quadriceps of the anterior thigh, which straighten your leg; and the calf muscles, which point your feet downward and help you stand on your toes.
Workout Tips
Consult your physician as a first step. This is especially important if you have health problems or concerns. A trainer can help you set up an exercise and conditioning program for your individual needs. A typical program includes leg extensions, curls, lunges, squats and balance exercises. Machines at a gym isolate individual muscles and help you maintain proper form. You can also adjust exercise machines to increase or decrease resistance, as necessary.
Here are some links to Strength Training Videos:
LOWER BODY WORKOUTS |