By Tony Meyer
No doubts that leg training is as vital for a bodybuilder as a good
nutrition. Do you know why? Yes! Right! A muscle mass. Heavy squats make your
body produce more testosterone that really increase muscle growth.
Leg workout is exhausting, painful and not everybody can complete it thoroughly.
But leg workouts made properly will not only add mass and strength to your
lower body but also increase your metabolic rate and overall upper body
mass. You can get your best gain working legs only once a week but so hard
that you don't need to train them more frequently.
Good advice: drink a little cup of coffee 15 minutes prior to your legs
workout. It will stimulate your mental focus as well as increase your endurance.
Start your legs workout from the warming up for about 5 minutes. It
could be stationary bike ride or jogging, then you can begin.
SQUAT
The basic barbell squat is one of the best exercises you can do but
it has to be done properly. Turn your toes out about twenty degrees from
the position where your feet are parallel to each other. Your knees should
always track above your feet. First set is warming up set of 25 reps. Feel
every fiber of muscles which you have to prepare for a hard work. Than
chose a weight which is a challenge to perform for 8 reps, and somehow
do it 12 times. For the next set you have to take a weight you can do 6
reps, and by any means force yourself to complete 10 reps. Keep the form
perfect on every repetition. The next exercise is Hack squats.
HACK SQUAT
This movement is good for front quadriceps and also brings the details
to the quads. Do 2 sets of 12 fully controlled repetitions and go on to
another exercise. If you feel it's not good for your knees you can replace
it by the Smith machine squats. The manner you have to set up your feet
and move is the same as for barbell squats.
LEG PRESS
The last exercise for your front thighs workout is leg presses. You
have to stretch your thighs at the bottom in order to feel not only quadriceps
but also hamstrings tension. This exercise works good all of your legs
muscles. Don't forget: slow, controlled movement is the must. Do 2 sets
of 15 reps.
STIFF LEGGED DEADLIFT
This exercises affects hamstrings and you should use light weights
to avoid an injury. Take a shoulder width grip and do the first warming
up set of 25 reps having a good form and keeping your lower back strict.
You have to feel your hamstrings rather than your lower back. Then use
a weight that allows you to make 15 reps having a good form. Flex your
lower back hard, feel a tight stretch in your hamstrings when you move
down and squeeze muscles at the top. Do not relax your back and hamstrings
at the top position. If you feel that stiff legged deadlift is not
comfortable for your knees or lower back, you can slightly bend your knees.
3 sets of 15 reps - and that's it.