Never skip leg day. It’s a common refrain in the gym world, and legs are one of the most intensive parts of the body to train. Each leg encompasses various muscles, and it can take a ton of attention and care to ensure you hit each one. In many workout routines, legs get a dedicated day, and when you head to one of your favorite gyms in Brentwood for leg day, make sure you’re doing these three exercises for maximum benefits.
Front and Back Squat
One of the most important leg movements to do at one of your favorite gyms in Victorville is the squat. Squats activate nearly every muscle group in your legs, making them the king of leg exercises. Back squats target your posterior chain, which includes your glutes and hamstrings. Meanwhile, front squats target the front of your legs, particularly your quads.
To perform a squat, simply load a barbell (or use just the bar), keep your feet shoulder-width apart, sit back into your hips, bend your knees, and lower yourself down toward the floor. Your knees should track, and with your chest straight, lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as far down as you can before pushing back to the starting position. A front squat is similar, except the barbell goes on the front of your shoulders below your neck, and you’ll typically keep your back in a more upright position.
Romanian Deadlift
Are you ready to target your glutes, hamstrings, and calves while increasing mobility in your hips? The Romanian deadlift is for you, and this exercise can be done with either a barbell, dumbbells, or kettlebells.
Keep your back straight and look forward while hinging forward on your hips. Lower the weight toward the ground, slightly bending at the knees. The weights should follow your shins and you will slowly lower until you can feel your hamstrings stretch. Pause, and then drive your hips forward to stand up with your glutes powering through the movement. It’s super important to keep your back straight throughout the movement, so start light! If you’re doing the exercise correctly, you’ll definitely feel it in your hamstrings.
Walking, Reverse, and Lateral Lunges
Lunges challenge your balance while working your quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes, and there are multiple variations to try, including walking lunges, reverse lunges, and lateral lunges. For a walking lunge, keep your chest straight and gaze forward while stepping forward. Your thigh should be parallel to the ground when you end the lunge. Push up through your heel, back to the starting position, and repeat with the other leg.
A reverse lunge is a step backward, lunging until your leg is at 90 degrees, then pushing through your heel and back up. Repeat on the other side. This is a bit easier than the walking lunge and is great for beginners. Want to make it challenging? Try doing a TRX reverse lunge. You can try these at your local health club with TRX equipment. Instead of going all the way to the floor with your back foot, you can hover, thanks to the TRX straps.
The lateral lunge helps increase stability and strength. Bend your left knee, sitting back into your left hip while keeping your torso upright. You want your right leg as straight as possible as you lower your left leg until your knee is at 90 degrees. Push back up and repeat on the other side.
About In-Shape Health Clubs
Looking for a place to work out, make new friends, and achieve your fitness goals? Try In-Shape Health Clubs! The famed health club has locations throughout the Golden State, each featuring a suite of premium amenities. Whether you’re taking your first steps on a new health and wellness journey or you’ve been working out for years, you’ll feel welcome. Plus, every In-Shape location offers a wide variety of state-of-the-art exercise equipment, free weights, studio fitness classes, a cardio area, and many even feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Whatever your age, be sure to try out In-Shape’s pickleball classes or take on fellow members in a pickleball tournament. Check out all of In-Shape’s amenities online and see why it is one of the best gyms Antioch has to offer for yourself!
Bring your leg day routine to In-Shape Health Clubs and join today at https://www.inshape.com/
Original Source: https://bit.ly/3EU8oep
