Why is leg day important?

Training leg muscles is highly significant for a few reasons as outlined by Andrew Huberman:

1. Largest Muscle Groups: The leg muscles are the largest in the body. Exercising them sets off various metabolic processes that can increase metabolism throughout the whole week and have systemic hormonal effects, including the release of anabolic hormones like testosterone and growth hormone which are beneficial for tendon, ligament, and muscle strength.

2. Foundation for Strength: The legs are considered the foundation of the body, and developing leg strength is crucial, not just for the legs themselves, but it also contributes to overall body strength.

3. Sets Tone for the Week: Having a leg workout at the start of the week, particularly on Monday, helps set a good physiological and psychological tone for the rest of the week's activities.

4. Longevity and Performance: Strong leg muscles are associated with longevity and the ability to perform various sports and activities. Maintaining lower body strength and explosiveness is key for overall physical capability.

Dr. Huberman recommends not skipping leg day and even suggests making it the first day of strength and hypertrophy training to leverage these benefits 1 2.