LEG WEIGHTS...leg strengthening workouts, best leg work-outsDoing leg weights is a perfect way to improve athletic performance in pretty well every sport, regardless if you are competitive by nature or not. There are many different types of athletes who can benefit from making leg weights a part of their training program. Regardless if you happen to be a week-end warrior or an Ironman triathlete, developing your leg muscles will improve your performance, speed recovery from workouts or races--and most importantly of all--help prevent injuries. If a muscle is well-toned and strong it is far less likely to break-down and will be more able to get you through your physical activity.
The biggest muscle groups are found in the legs and basically if you concentrate on 3 basic leg exercises, you will go a long way toward improving your over-all leg strength and as a result be better able to handle whatever stresses you put on them. The ham-string curl will strengthen your hamstrings and often this exercise is ignored for some reason. Personally I think it's because you are normally laying on your stomach to do the exercise and cannot actually "see" the muscle working. The Quad extensions however are the exact opposite. As you raise the weight forward you can see your muscle strain and work to lift the weight. The Quad extension is most likely one of the more popular and easy to learn leg exercises.
My all time favorite is the Squat as it not only develops powerful leg muscles, it also works your cardio-vascular system. You'll find that out when you start doing them. Doing squats really makes you work and you will be breathing hard at the end of a properly done set. The most important thing to remember about doing squats is to keep your back straight. Even the slightest lean forward tends to shift the weight away from your leg muscles and stresses your back. This is the last thing you want and it's very easy to become injured by using improper squat technique. If this type of leg-weight exercise is new to you, it's vitally important to have someone experienced teach you proper technique. Often they might have you try it with no weight at all and just the bar until you have the proper technique figured out. They may even suggest you get your self a "weight-belt". Many people find that this helps them maintain a straighter back, especially when lifting heavier weights. Calf-raises are another one of the leg exercise options that many people seem to ignore. I guess because it does not show off any big bugling muscles.
However calf-raises can strengthen not only your calf muscles but all the surrounding tendons and ligaments as well and can be instrumental in preventing serious injury. I would certainly recommend that at some point weekend-warriors triathletes, or any competitive athletes for that matter include leg-strengthening in their yearly training program. Personally I found that there was a big improvement in my biking and running once I worked on getting stronger legs. Remember that it's not just bigger muscles you are building, you are also strengthening ligaments and tendons and as a result helping prevent possible injury.
Leg Weights Back To Weight Training Routines Page
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I have written three books that all serve a specific purpose when it comes to those new to the sport of triathlon or those who perhaps have the Ironman on their mind.
"Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey" is a perfect book for those who have the Ironman on their mind and perhaps need some motivation, inspiration, and encouragement to help them make that final decision to challenge the Ironman and make it to the finish line.
"Ironstruck? 500 Ironman Triathlon Questions and Answers" is most like the only Q+A book in the world on the subject of triathlon in general and the Ironman.
This is the perfect book for the triathlete who has decided to take on the Ironman for the first time, or perhaps has done one or two and would like some insight from a different point of view.
It is a great companion book for "Ironstruck...The Ironman Journey" and the pair of books would make a great gift.
"Triathlete in Transition" is a book that was inspired by all the people who would stop by at my Ironstruck book signings and suggest I write a book for the very beginner triathlete who just wanted to know more about the sport.
I suppose because I had this passion for the Ironman that it seemed natural to write about it first almost six years ago now.
So in effect I have gone from the most difficult and challenging of triathlons and ended up at the beginning of the triathlon journey.
Triathlete in transition is full of information about how to get started in the sport and like my Ironstruck books, are inspirational and motivational as well as full of practical advice on triathlon that make the sport much more enjoyable.
Regardless, now I have three books that cover the full range of triathlon from just learning about triathlon in general, to ultimately reaching the Ironman finish line.