There are a variety of leg building exercises that can be done when you want stronger, more defined legs. However, before we look at the exercises, let’s take a look at some reasons you would want to build your legs, even if you are not a body builder:
1. better looking legs means more dates: Many people are very conscious about every aspect of their body because attraction is usually physically based. So to them, building leg muscles means better looking legs, and thus a more attracted opposite gender.
2. swimsuit season: When you are out in your skimpies, whether you are male or female, having good toned legs to show off is great.
3. skirt wearer: many women have to wear skirts to work, and having legs to show off makes wearing that skirt much easier.
4. running: runners want strong legs, and some will do leg building exercises, although they generally get strong enough legs just from running.
5. no elevator: maybe your apartment or condo doesn’t have an elevator, and the idea of climbing four flights of stairs everyday makes your legs quiver, so you hit the gym and do leg building exercises to make your hike a little easier.
6. modeling: Models may be thin, but having shapely legs is an important aspect of having a nice looking body, thus many who model male and female alike will do exercises to build legs.
7. swimmer: swimmers needs strong legs, especially for competitive swimming, so many will spend a day or two a week in the weight room working on arm, back, and leg muscles
8. football player: stronger legs mean better drives, faster sprints, and more mass to tackle with or be tackled.
9. baseball player: having power behind your swing does not just come from the arms. Also speed to run the bases is important. Thus, many baseball players will spend time with the weights to build their legs.
10. sports in general: No matter what sport you do, stronger legs is a positive thing, wrestling, basketball, track, or lacrosse, the stronger the legs the better.
There are tons of reasons you may want build legs. The reason you want to build your legs does not matter as much as doing it the right way for your desired results. For example, there are different exercises for bulky legs than for the toned, lean look.
When you want to build your legs, no matter what exercise you do, it should be performed to failure with one set of six to eight reps. The following are examples of two exercises you could do build legs:
1. Leg extension: this exercise is great for thighs. It will allow you to isolate the thigh muscles preserving the strength of the other leg muscles for other leg building exercises which should be done with this (example #2 is a perfect one to combine with this one). So how do you do leg extensions?:
a. Push the pads until the knees are almost locked.
b. Pause.
c. Lower with control to the starting position.
2. Leg press: this is a great exercise for building mass with your legs. It is for the more experienced weight lifters or builders. You can move straight on to this exercise if you are sufficiently experienced, but you will want to make sure your legs are sufficiently ready for the weight that you should choose to use.
a. Place your feet firmly at shoulder width on the foot board.
b. Bend the legs until they are almost touching the chest.
c. Pause.
d. Return with control to the starting position.