Quads For Days???

Honestly, I don't think too much of my legs that way, they're not that big by standards of either Powerlifting, Strongman or even Bodybuilding. I do what's possible to train with intent and keep them in condition as best as I can. I don't even attempt to try to build huge legs anyway. You read my last article on the type of boxers I wear right? About having to wear 2XL just to feel comfortable LOL.

For real though, with all the shit that I've put my body through, I'm grateful to have built the legs that can go and carry me. I have no knee pain, I may have issues in the areas below the knees but you already know the story on that. I don't have calves that are impressive to anybody and no, I don't have thighs that can squat 500 lbs but that's ok. After thousands of squats, step ups, many sprints, sandbag training, isometrics along with other things, these are what came of all of it and I'm happy.

I also don't make it a habit to show off my legs because that's just not me. I've only shown them off maybe a couple times or so intentionally because I wanted to give people an idea that you can build athletic legs without needing to look like a bodybuilder or some pro athlete. With the ongoing workouts with the Dopa Bands, my legs feel amazing and with testing out different squat variations, sprints, lunges and other things, it keeps my training interesting. Those killer circuits, the grueling Deck Of Cards workouts and the insane HIIT workouts just fires them up and be ready for whatever lies ahead.

If I had to compare my legs to certain things (hypothetically speaking), I'd say I'm closer to legs that were of athletes in the 20's and 30's. Not always looking like they were carved from granite but were solid and made to have lasting strength. If there was any athlete of that time that had the best conditioned but powerful legs that wasn't a wrestler, strongman or acrobat was Lou Gehrig. The best 1st Baseman in Baseball who played for the Yankees his entire 14 year career. Not many realize this but Lou had legs that were Thoroughbreds. Underneath that uniform were legs that were made to chase down Gazelles. The Iron Horse. If ALS hadn't got wind of him, he could've gone another 5-6 years in the Majors and still be among one of the greatest power hitters. 

If anyone had legs for days, was Gama or Ed Lewis, both wrestlers were machines on the mat and could outwork practically anybody. Ed's stamina was legendary when it came to those hours in matches and in workouts and Gama just didn't know the meaning of the word tired yet had the legs of a Tree Trunk. Their conditioning is nothing short of remarkable.

Now, having big legs doesn't always mean you're going to be having endurance that would make Herschel Walker exhausted. Some of those cartoonish looking legs like a Ronnie Coleman or Dorian Yates in their prime were just edging to have injuries being done on them. That much muscle was not meant for a man and it's crazy how big guys like that got. Did they train hard, absolutely and I'll never take that away from them but the mere fact that they did suffer in the hands of what they were trying to accomplish gave them issues that will have them in discomfort or pain the rest of their lives. Dorian out of the two is in healthier shape than Ronnie is these days and it's sad that they had to go through all that. 

My legs have been through a lot. Maybe not as badly as others but I take pride in training them so as time goes on, I can hike, swim, climb stairs and be able to be the cool uncle or cousin that can keep up or be able haul furniture without dying. Conditioning is my biggest priority and the physique that comes with that is just part of the package. I'm not trying to win medals or brag I have better legs because I don't. I want to last and be able to outwork/keep up with guys half my age if possible. I also believe in keeping the joints strong because muscles are great and all but the things holding everything together makes the huge difference. 

Many don't realize how important Isometrics are for the legs. They build the kind of armor for the bones and tendons that would give Colossus a run for his money. Those Wall Sits, Lunge Holds, Hybrid Style Isometrics, all hit the legs with a vengeance but build the kind of strength that reduces pain and adds that spring in your step. Check out Overcoming Isometrics and look into the chapter on Squat Chain Isometric Exercises along with the Hybrid Isometric Exercises chapter (That alone is worth the price of the book. 

Train your legs, train them hard but be mindful. You don't have to go extreme like some caffeine addicted Twig with a foot fetish believes needs you to do (quite frankly, guys like that shouldn't be teaching fitness in the first place since they have no fucking idea of how to program anything of value and provide zero evidence that what they believe is healthy, just biased bullshit that is more harmful and counterproductive). Train to stimulate, not annihilate. Be amazingly awesome and wish nothing but success in your endeavors.

Let me hear from you in the comments or send me a note in the Contact Form on your training. Looking forward to your messages.