Amira Lamb
Oct 8, 20233 min
Ever catch yourself staring, maybe even a little envious, at the sculpted legs of athletes like track stars, gymnasts, or dancers? It's downright mesmerizing how their lower bodies are not just robust but also beautifully balanced, isn’t it? The secret ingredient? It's all wrapped up in their training, moving in every conceivable way and exploring their full range of motion (ROM) - and they manage all this without necessarily hitting the weight room. Let’s explore.
Mobility isn’t merely about stretching those muscles – it’s about harnessing strength and power throughout every movement. There's something subconsciously liberating about moving through your fullest physical expression - it just feels downright freeing, doesn’t it? Plus, mixing it up between smaller and larger movements is a secret weapon against injuries.
So, how are these athletes sculpting those muscles without necessarily lifting weights?
Well, their training, even outside a traditional weight room, aligns with what many aim for with conventional training. They’re:
Ensuring they get enough exercise (aiming for >10 sets per muscle group each week)
Moving through their fullest range
Pushing themselves to the edge (safely, of course!)
Using a variety of exercises to engage their muscles in all the ways they move the body (think of how squats and leg extensions work for the quads)
And guess what? Those athletes, even without doing classic weightlifting moves like squats and lunges, are nailing all these points!
When it comes to exercises like squats, going deeper (a full ROM) seems to give our muscles, like the inner thighs and booty, a better workout compared to smaller, partial movements.
Adding pulses and isometrics have their benefits but, if you’re aiming to tone up those glutes and thighs, getting low and maximizing your movement is key.
Think of it this way: if you want to work on your quads or glutes but can’t move your legs through a full range, you’re not going to get those muscles working to their full potential. You won't access all of your muscle fibers. You won't be able to maximally contract your muscles.
It’s like trying to bake a cake but not turning the oven up high enough - it just won’t rise to its fullest!
While going for full range of motion seems to give the lower body muscles a better workout, when it comes to the upper body, the verdict is still out. There’s a lot more to explore and understand about how different muscles respond to various movements, and that’s pretty exciting!
So, what’s the takeaway? Mix things up! Incorporate different movements into your workouts, ensuring you’re hitting all the principles of muscle growth while also enjoying varied and stimulating exercises. And remember, it’s all about what works for you and your body.
In situations where you’re without your trusty gym equipment, like on vacation, bodyweight exercises to failure can be a quick and efficient way to keep up the progress. Moves like chin-ups, push-ups, and squats, especially when tweaked to be a bit more challenging, can be fantastic options for you. To tone your inner thighs and glutes, two great exercises you can do with just your bodyweight are:
1. Bodyweight Squats
2. Rear Foot Elevated Lunges
In the end, using a mix of exercises, from different types and at various intensity levels, is the golden ticket to boosting muscle growth and strength. And for that extra oomph in strength, working through your full range of motion is key.