| Do you know what your most powerful muscles are? | | | | fitness parlance). Also, like I said, working your legs will |
| Do you think it's your bulging biceps which you've | | | | stimulate muscle growth all over your body because |
| probably wasted countless hours in the gym working | | | | of the positive effect on muscle building hormones it |
| on? Or do you think it's Your herculean chest? The | | | | causes. Read on for two great squat exercises to |
| answer is: neither one! The truth is: You may not have | | | | help you make the most of the strongest muscles you |
| spent much, if any time training your strongest muscles. | | | | have: |
| The answer is Your legs! Your quadriceps in particular | | | | Squats - place a bar at the right height for you on a |
| are the strongest muscles you have in your whole | | | | squat rack - and walk under it-- the bar should rest on |
| entire body! A lot is asked of these workhorses of the | | | | the back of your shoulders. Get a good grip on the |
| human body in just about every sport (if you don't | | | | bar, raise it up off the rack and take one step |
| know where they are these would be the muscles of | | | | backwards (go slowly for safety). Remember to keep |
| the upper legs) and even bodybuilding. | | | | your legs as far apart as your shoulder span and your |
| It's really a pretty simple matter to increase the power | | | | back straight (a slight c-curve is ok). Then it's a simple |
| of these muscles to their full potential. It never fails to | | | | as bending you knees, lower yourself under control until |
| mystify me when someone has worked out every | | | | your hips are just slightly less than 90 degrees from |
| other part of their body, yet has underdeveloped | | | | the floor, then slowly return to your starting position. |
| quads. Everyone listen up, because today I'm going to | | | | Remember not to overdo it, but make sure you're |
| help you unlock the power of these powerhouses | | | | getting a workout for your quads here. (unless you |
| (and if you've read my article about building a bigger | | | | have a good spotter it's a good idea not to go to |
| chest and arms... then you know working your legs can | | | | failure here) |
| actually increase the size of the other muscles in your | | | | Front Squats - This is a favorite of athletes |
| body!). | | | | everywhere. This works much the same as regular |
| Squat exercises are definitely the most efficient and | | | | squats, but of course with the barbell held in front. This |
| effective way to build your quads... and... are easy to | | | | one will build the outer sweep of your quads. Start with |
| work into your weightlifting regimen. Here's the part | | | | a barbell at chest height and step back after lifting |
| most trainees don't want to hear: it'd be a lie if I told | | | | from the rack. (you'll either want to grip it with your |
| you it was totally painless - your legs have a lot of | | | | hands or cross your hands across your chest and |
| endurance already (you stand and walk on them well, | | | | have the bar rest in the crook of your elbows) |
| all the time, remember?) so you will have to put in | | | | Symmetry is important in bodybuilding and it would be |
| some extra effort to get the development that you | | | | a shame to neglect such an important set of muscles; |
| desire. | | | | especially when they are the most powerful ones in |
| Besides just building your legs, there are benefits to be | | | | the human body. These exercises can get your quads |
| had from squats beyond the quadriceps - your abs will | | | | to where they need to be - built up just as much as |
| also benefit from these exercises (or "core" in today's | | | | the rest of your body. |