Health

Experts Share the Importance of Strength Training for your Legs when Trying to Lose Weight

Published

5 years ago

March 13, 2020

Although performing cardiovascular exercise will slowly burn calories, it won’t be nearly as effective at shedding the pounds from a good strength training session. Strength training, that’s dynamic, and involves a lot of movement, can help you to get lean and mean – burn the fat and put on the muscle mass!

Compound exercises are a great way to target both these goals simultaneously.

By keeping the movement alive and targeting different muscles at the same time, we keep a high heart rate and maximise our blood flow, making calorie burning more effective. The more muscle used, the more energy burned, its simple as that.

Having lean muscle mass on your body will help burn calories throughout the day. By having lean active tissue, your muscles require calories throughout the day. When consuming food, your muscle cells will absorb these calories first before storing any fat on the body. This is one of the main reasons weight training can be more affective than cardio for fat loss. Metabolic reactions throughout the body have increased. The need to breakdown molecules for musculoskeletal recovery prevents weight gain.

What weight training exercises are the best for fat loss?

There is a reason why “leg day” is a saying and nobody wants to miss it.

Athletes know training their legs is important for a variety of reasons.

1 – The legs have the biggest muscles in the body. Between your quadriceps and hamstrings alone, you have 7 large muscles within two major muscle groups. This means when you train your legs you are burning an enormous amount of energy when performing repetitions of an exercise that involve both muscle groups.

Examples of exercises that use all muscle groups in the lower extremities:

Squats
Lunges
Step Ups

2 – Leg Exercises Require Cardio. Because so many muscle groups are counter acting at the same time within repetitions of these exercises, it takes a lot of exertion on the body. This causes our heart rate to elevate and we burn more calories effectively.

3 – Boost Your Stamina. By training your legs, you’ll increase your general fitness levels, and will be able to complete other exercises more efficiently and more accurately. Again, this will increase your stamina levels and promote weight loss.

Why else is training your legs important?

1 – Staying functional. The lower extremities of our body are exposed to tightness if we don’t perform the right strength training exercises and stretch. As most jobs entail sitting at a desk all day long, this causes muscles such as our hips, hamstrings and calves to get tight. By giving 15 minutes attention to this everyday, we can keep these muscles limber so we can perform all daily and recreational activities a lot easier.

2 – Training Your Legs Will Increase Circulation. As we mentioned, training your legs increases your blood flow. This is very healthy for how your heart circulates around the body. This can help depression in people but also reduce feelings of stress and anxiety in everyone. It also for this reason helps to boost morale.

3 – Increased Flexibility. Keeping limber and stretching your legs improves your flexibility. This is essential as we get older performing all chores or getting involved in any recreational activity.

Takeaway

My advice is starting small when training your legs. A lot of muscles are being worked so it’s important to avoid injury at the beginning. Start with machines and build up to manual exercises. If you need any further tips, consult London Fitness – In Home Personal Trainer for more information about strength training the safe way.

Health

What Sets Why Not Natural Supplements Above Other Supplements Companies in the U.S.

Published

4 weeks ago

November 21, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Why Not Natural

By: Georgette Virgo

In an industry plagued by minimal regulation and questionable practices, Why Not Natural Supplements sets a new standard in transparency and scientific excellence. Founded by chemical engineer Kelin Marquet, this female-owned supplement company challenges the status quo with clean and effective formulations backed by rigorous research.

Why Not Natural Supplements’ outlook on supplement creation contrasts starkly with many competitors in the $50 billion U.S. dietary supplement market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require pre-market approval for supplements, which leaves consumers vulnerable to potentially ineffective or harmful products. Why Not Natural Supplements has implemented stringent self-imposed standards that go far beyond regulatory requirements.

“We’re on a mission to educate consumers about what a supplement should look like,” says Kelin Marquet. “As a mother of three, I’m motivated by creating supplements that I feel comfortable giving to my own family.”

A Science-First Approach to Supplement Formulation

Why Not Natural Supplements’ commitment to scientific integrity begins with its founder. Marquet’s background in chemical engineering informs every aspect of the company’s product development process.

“I use my background and strong understanding of science to pore through research articles and choose active ingredients that work – not cheap substitutes you usually find in supplements,” Kelin Marquet explains.

This science-first perspective extends to the company’s use of bioavailable forms of nutrients and its emphasis on third-party testing. Why Not Natural Supplements rigorously tests every product—including their best-selling Organic Vitamin D3 Liquid Drops with K2, 4-in-1 Magnesium Complex, Liquid Vitamin A (10,000 IU) with Coconut MCT Oil, and many others—for purity and potency. This practice sets the company apart in an industry where such thorough quality control is far from standard.

Transparency and Clean Formulations

Why Not Natural Supplements’ transparency is evident in its viewpoint on ingredient selection and labeling. The company maintains a list of ingredients that will never appear in its products, including artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and common allergens.

“It’s not just about what’s in a supplement – it’s essential what’s not in it, too,” Marquet emphasizes. This philosophy extends to the company’s use of clean, minimalist formulations that avoid unnecessary fillers and additives.

The company provides consumers with clear, accurate information about each product’s contents. This level of transparency is rare in an industry where, according to the National Institutes of Health, supplement labels may not always accurately reflect the product’s contents.

Kelin Marquet emphasizes that each product formulation undergoes rigorous scientific scrutiny, with every ingredient serving a specific, research-backed purpose. “We don’t just throw ingredients together because they’re trendy,” Marquet explains. “Every component in our formulas is there for a reason, in its most bioavailable form, and at the optimal dosage.”

Education and Consumer Empowerment

Why Not Natural Supplements’ mission extends beyond creating high-quality supplements to educating consumers about supplement quality and safety. The company uses its social media platforms and website to provide in-depth information about ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and the science behind its formulations.

This educational outlook is particularly crucial in light of the rapid growth of e-commerce in the supplement industry. As online sales platforms capture an increasing market share, the traditional role of natural and specialty retailers as information gatekeepers is diminishing. Why Not Natural Supplements is stepping into this gap, providing consumers with the knowledge they need to understand dietary supplements and find one that best fits their needs.

“We’re not just selling supplements,” Marquet states. “We’re empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their health by showing them exactly what goes into each formula and why.”

In an industry where regulation is minimal and quality can be inconsistent, Why Not Natural Supplements stands out as a company committed to raising the bar through its science-based method, commitment to transparency, and focus on consumer education.

“Our goal is to change how individuals see natural supplements,” Marquet concludes. “We believe that by prioritizing quality, efficacy, and transparency, we can help consumers reclaim their health and trust in their supplements.”