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Why leg exercises are more important to a balanced fitness routine than you realise

It’s ridiculous to think that there are gym-goers out there who are neglecting training their lower body with stellar leg exercises in favour of getting top heavy and massive. But you are out there – we can see you and we’re here to address this.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

Generally speaking, we have moved on from stacked, triangular Hercules lookalikes who haven’t felt a squat in years as most people now know the aesthetic and general health benefits of leg exercises, from increasing muscle to accelerating fat loss and even boosting testosterone.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

For those who’ve been living under a rock, here‘s why skipping leg day is the biggest mistake you can make – backed up with the best leg exercises to have you feeling like a one-stop fitness machine, courtesy of ultra-marathon swimmer and bestselling author Ross Edgley and GQ’s crack team of fitness experts.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

Want something more specific? Try out our hamstrings guide. We also have workout guides for every other part of your body if your legs are looking stellar – check out biceps, triceps, chest or back. If you’re looking to mix up your equipment game, you can also check out our guides to dumbbells, TRX exercises and more.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

What’s the big deal about leg day?

1. It spikes muscle-building hormones

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

Naturally boosting testosterone in men is a good thing for fitness. It helps you increase muscle mass, burn fat and even helps you between the sheets, which is exactly why research published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology suggests every man should become good friends with the squat rack.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

The study’s investigation into hormonal response during heavy resistance exercise demonstrated that “the most striking changes appear evident in the testosterone response to heavy resistance exercise in physically active young and older men”, noting a dramatic spike.

Why Leg Exercises Are More Important To A Balanced Fitness Routine Than You Realise

Put simply: irrespective of your age, squatting will increase your body’s testosterone, which in turn increases your muscle-building and fat-loss potential.

2. You’ll lose fat

Want to lose fat? Get off the treadmill, put down the slimming shake and squat. That’s what a study published in the Journal of Applied…

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