5EXERCISESTO STRENGTHEN YOURQUADRICEPS MUSCLES
Thinkaboutyourtypicalday:wakingup,doinghousework,going totheoffice,gettinggroceries,andoccasionallyplayingsports. Haveyoufoundanysimilaritiesinyourroutineactivities? Theyallcompelyoutouseyourquadriceps,oneoftheimportant musclegroupsrequiredforproperkneefunction. Infact,almostallofyourlegmovementsdependonyour quadriceps,alsoknownasyourquads.Thus,it’scriticaltomaintain theirstrengthandflexibility.Becauseweakquadsnotonlyimpair kneefunctionbutmayalsoputyouatriskforkneeosteoarthritis. AlthoughtherearemanyosteopathyManchesterclinicsthattreat osteoarthritis,thebestwaytopreventitisthroughregularexercise. Inthisblog,wehavediscussedsomeexercisesforstrengthening yourquadricepsmuscles.
5EssentialExercisesto StrengthenYourQuadriceps Muscles 01. 02. The body-weight squat Step-Ups Lunge Walks Bulgarian split squat 03. 04. Box Jumps 05.
1. The body-weight squat Thesquatisunbeatableasthebestoverallexerciseforthequads.Itisanessential part of any workout routine because of its ability to target the glutes, quads, hamstrings,andcalves.Thebestpart,though?Youcanperformthemwithorwithout weight. Yourtoesshouldbefacingoutwardasyoustandwithyourfeet shoulder-widthapart. Youhavethreeoptionsforarmpositions:atyoursides,onyour hips,orinafrontalclasp. Pushyourhipsbackasifyouweresittinginachair,keepingyour chestupandcoretight. Takeamomenttopauseonceyourthighsareparalleltothe ground. Untilyouarebackinthestartingposition,drivethroughyourheels. Instructions
2. Lunge Walks Peoplewhosebalanceandkneestrengthhaveimprovedshouldtrythismoredifficult exercise. Walking lunges strengthen the glutes, hips, and core as well as the leg muscles. Theexerciseshouldbeperformedonaflatsurfacelongenoughtoaccommodate10 to12lungingstepswhilewearingapairofsturdywalkingshoes. Placeyourfeetshoulder-widthapartandstandtall.Ifyou’re holdingdumbbells,keepyourhandsbyyoursidesandplacethem atyoursidesoratyourchest. Stepforwardwithonefoot,thenleanforwarduntilyourbackshinis paralleltothegroundandyourfrontkneeis90degrees. Takeabriefpausebeforeleapingforwardwithyouroppositefoot. Asyoulungeforward,keepswitchingsides. Instructions
3. Step-Ups Thestep-upisagreatexerciseforhamstring,gluteal,andquadricepsstrength. To perform this exercise, you’ll need a sturdy platform, box, or bench that you can standonandstepupanddownfrom. Findasolidsurfacethatisaboutknee-highs,suchasabox,step, orsomethingsimilar. Stepupwithonefootontheobjectwhileattemptingtokeepyour kneeinlinewithyourankleandpreventitfromcollapsinginward. Whenyoustepup,concentrateonpushingthroughyourheeland maintainatallpostureasyouliftyouroppositekneeuntilitisat hiplevel. Retraceyoursteps,thenriseupontheotherfoot.Throughoutyour set,keepalternating. Instructions