Free Shipping On Orders Over $75. Get Prime Delivery At Our Amazon Store!
Free Shipping On Orders Over $75. Get Prime Delivery At Our Amazon Store!
by Tony Gjokaj March 03, 2020 6 min read
Nothing completes a physique more than strong legs. Legs have always been one of my favorite muscle groups to train because I genetically had strong legs, to begin with.
Today, I train them about 2-3 times weekly, and I love them even more: I typically always look forward to my leg days.
In this article, I wanted to simplify the Quadriceps and Hamstrings so that you can optimize your leg workouts. After this, I believe you're going to appreciate the legs a lot more - you'll give your legs the respect they deserve on leg day.
Let's get into it!
The legs are muscles that are very similar to the structure of the arm. Think of the legs as the "arms in the opposite direction": the quads extend (“triceps”) while the hamstrings curl (“biceps”). In this section, we are going to divide the legs into the front of the thigh (Quadriceps) and the back of the thigh (Hamstrings) so that we can simplify the anatomical function of both.
The Quadriceps are the muscles that are on the front of the thigh. They consist of four major muscles: the Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Intermedius, and rectus femoris.
These four main muscles contribute to the following functions:
The Hamstrings, similar to the Quads, consist of four main muscles: semimembranosus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris short, and long head. The semimembranosus and semitendinosus are the innermost muscles of your hamstrings while the biceps femoris muscles are the outermost muscles.
The Hamstrings’ functions are of the following:
In understanding these muscular functions, you can strategize in training the hamstrings in an effective and efficient pattern.
Hamstring development is not too complicated as there are only a few ways to train them. Think of your deadlift exercises as "stretching" the hamstrings and our leg curl exercises as "flexing" the hamstrings.
Repeat your exercises of choice weekly, and do 10-16 sets weekly. You will see solid hamstring development overtime.
There you have it: a definitive guide to Leg training.
I hope this has helped you find some motivation in crushing your next leg day and even gave you that epiphany to actually put in some extra work on your legs.
If this article helped you, or if you would like to chime in, throw your thoughts in the comments below.
Until next time legion, go crush it!
Tony is the Owner of Reforged. He is a PN1 Certified Nutrition Coach and has been in the fitness space for over a decade. His goal is to help millions exercise their way out of depression and anxiety.
by Tony Gjokaj November 16, 2023 2 min read
I have been reading quite a few articles surrounding depression and its connection to lifestyle habits.
In recent years, scientists have started to discover that depression is not just a "chemical imbalance".
It's much more complex than that, and a lot of evidence is pointing towards positive habits helping to alleviate or reduce the risk of depression.
by Tony Gjokaj November 14, 2023 3 min read
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, despite the opportunity for adequate sleep.
This can lead to decreased energy levels, mood disturbances, decreased performance at work or school, and can negatively impact overall health and quality of life.
If you're tossing and turning at night, you're not alone.
In this post, we are going to go over the 5 natural ways to ease insomnia.
Let's dive in!
by Tony Gjokaj September 18, 2023 3 min read
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone health.
Despite its importance, many people do not get enough magnesium from their diets alone.
This is where supplements like magnesium glycinate can be helpful.
Magnesium glycinate is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium that is easily absorbed by the body and has several potential health benefits.
In this post, we'll explore the benefits of magnesium glycinate and why it may be a valuable addition to your overall health and wellness plan.
Let's dive in!