Why you should NEVER skip Leg Day

The Ladies love it, and most men will try anything to avoid it. Yes I'm talking about Leg Day.

I personally dread Leg Day but absolutely love it once I'm doing it - even more so when it's all over. The endorphins that are released afterwards are unreal and the sense of accomplishment - (from the Serotonin boost) is worth the pain and stress alone.

So why do guys feel they need to skip Leg Day or come up with every excuse under the sun to skip it? Most likely (more so in younger trainers, and to a lesser extent the uninformed) it's because emphasis is placed on Aesthetics and how the T-shirt fits. It's all about the big chest and biceps (even this is misguided) because when it comes down to it, at the end of the day the legs can always be covered.

So why should we never skip Leg Day?

First off we have to get into the mindset that when training legs you are doing more than squatting and pressing to build those thighs, Dead Lifting to work the Hamstrings and Glutes. What you are doing is building a strong foundation and base for overall stability, balance and strength throughout the entire body.

The Leg Muscles are essential for generating Strength and Power, not just in the gym but for everyday life. They also help to make sure we do not develop muscle imbalances between the Upper Body and Lower Body which can lead to (amongst other things) a weaker lower back. By having a stronger lower body, there is less pressure on the joints of the ankles, knees and lower back meaning we're far less likely to get injured.

The femur, the primary bone in the leg, is the strongest bone in the body, capable of withstanding significant pressure and resistance. Numerous muscles are connected to the femur, including the quadriceps, hamstrings/leg biceps, adductors, and TFL, among others. These are large muscles that, when sufficiently stimulated through substantial compound movements like squats, leg presses, and dead lifts, can greatly affect metabolism, thereby aiding the body in burning calories. This is before we even take into account the effects of working the Glutes into the equation.

Ultimately, training the legs results in a significant release of Testosterone and Natural Growth Hormone. These hormones aid in muscle building over time, not only in the legs but also in the upper body, while enhancing fat metabolism and overall health.

So, before you consider skipping Leg Day, reflect on what your body might miss out on in the bigger picture.