About Exercise Machines for Legs

Exercise machines that tone and strengthen your leg muscles employ a variety of different movements against the resistance of weights. Each type of exercise machine is intended to work different muscles in different parts of the leg.

Features

A squatting motion involves bending the legs deeply at the knees and forcing the legs away from the body against resistance. In other machines, you raise the weight by pushing up on balls of your feet. There are kicking motions that work the front or back of the thigh, depending on what direction the weight is applied. There are also motions to squeeze the legs together and apart against resistance.

Machines

Pushing weight away from you with the entire leg is called a leg press. This primarily works the quadriceps muscles. Heavy weights either rest on the shoulders while you squat, or you sit on a machine while a heavy platform is lowered and raised by bending and straightening the knees. Calf-raise machines also rest weight on the shoulders while it is lifted by pressing up with just the feet. A variation of the calf-raise machine has you sitting with the weight on your knees while pressing up with the feet. Leg-extension machines provide resistance while you straighten both legs at the knees from a seated position. Leg-curl machines provide resistance while you bend both legs at the knees from a prone or standing position. Leg-adduction machines resist as you press the legs together. They work the groin and inner thigh muscles. Leg-abduction machines resist as you spread the legs. They work the hip flexors and outer thigh muscles.

Muscles Worked

Exercise machines for legs focus on several muscle groups. The quadriceps are the large muscles on the front and sides of the thigh. The biceps femoris are on the back of the thighs. They are often erroneously referred to as the hamstrings. The triceps surae are the muscles of the calf. Groin muscles are on the inside of the thigh. The gluteus maximus muscles in the buttocks sit on top of the legs and are worked to a lesser degree by exercise machines.

Considerations

The legs are very strong and it is tempting to try to lift a lot of weight to challenge them. This can be dangerous. While the legs are familiar with motions like walking, they are less familiar with some of the motions performed on exercise machines. This can lead to extremely sore muscles in the days following exercising on these machines. With machines like the leg press, it can be dangerous. If the weight is dropped, it can crush you. Only lift as much weight as you can handle with perfect form.

Effects

Strong legs are important to a strong body. They support your weight and are vital to every method of locomotion. Exercise machines for legs can keep them healthy and improve their appearance. Attractive legs have long been considered a sign of beauty. Women desire toned legs that are firm. Men want muscular legs with bulk and definition. These attributes can be achieved with the help of exercise machines for the legs.