Legs are the Key to the whole body.

**Elysium** · 10-28-2004, 05:05 PM

Hey guys,

I heard this, that working out on legs helps improve on your upper body. Or something to that effect.

Can someone please explain this?

Many thanks

**decadbal** · 10-28-2004, 05:07 PM

your body bases its growth of your wheels.... big legs equals big you... its simple kinetics...sp?

**1badcamaro** · 10-28-2004, 05:08 PM

doing things like squats releases natural growth hormone in the body, allowing you to grow more

**Aboot** · 10-28-2004, 05:09 PM

To quote a great man:

"Legs are the teacher, upper body the student."

**Elysium** · 10-28-2004, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by Aboot

To quote a great man:

"Legs are the teacher, upper body the student."

Yea where is Swole.

Can someone explain this in more depth, or is that basically it?

**Aboot** · 10-28-2004, 05:19 PM

Basically there is a theory that your body will not let you grow drastically out of proportion, simply out of a need to survive, i.e. if your upper body is so out of balance with your legs that they hinder your ability to run, jump, etc. you would less likely to survive (you'd be tiger food).

So the lesson would be that you legs have to be big so it could support your upper body. Hope that helps.

**Elysium** · 10-28-2004, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Swolecat

I began to explain this idea above by the "teacher" and "student" comparison above.

The legs are very important in training, as they send the message of growth to other parts of the body. (That being the upper body) Hormone release, GH, etc., are all magnified greatly with extensive/thorough leg work, and deadlifts. Overall power and developement are much more evident when you work your legs.

When one only trains upper body and those gains stall out, when he/she introduces platinum "on-point" leg training and deadlifts (rows and bench as well), BOOM, the upper body once again kicks into over-drive, and gains begin to prosper.

I know this 2 ways. I used to be one of those who NEVER liked to do legs, and never gave it "all I had". As soon as I did that, I TOTALLY changed, and my physique was one that could now actually compete because I was proportioned, well shaped, big, etc. In addition, having ruptured patella tendons and atrophy in the legs as well, I've seen them totally come back in 15 months, and I know what my upper body looks like now compared to what it was when I was only able to train upper body while I was in leg immobilizers.

Much much better, more defined, and bigger over-all.

~SC~

Thats what i wanted to know! Perfect! Thanks for your replys people

**Animal Cracker** · 10-31-2004, 05:58 AM

All of this very interesting!

**thebro** · 10-31-2004, 09:40 AM

legs can make or brake a bodybuilder

**YoungGuns20** · 10-31-2004, 09:45 AM

Compare it to a house, You cant build a house without setting up the frame and foundation at the bottom or it will crumble... Just an analogy I heard...

**cb25** · 10-31-2004, 09:49 AM

According to Bigol'legs: Your legs must be your strong point, otherwise the pyramid will collapse"

And Swole's answer was very well said...i'd love to add to it, but don't think i can.