25/365 Muscles that Look Good vs. Muscles that Matter

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

I remember this quiz I took as a pre-teen about my dream guy. One of the questions was "Muscular arms or six-pack abs?" I always looked for the both option or better yet, strong arms, abs, chest, back, shoulders, and legs.

Every body is different. Some people can develop their triceps and back like it's nobody's business. Other people get defined legs and great shoulders easily. The point for anybody working out is to be strong and healthy. Your biceps and triceps may look great but, if you're asked to pick up that heavy box, can you do it? The power to do that task and many others comes from having powerful legs, strong abs, and a steady lower back. It is important to think about the functionality of the muscles you work.

Balance is key for everything, from nature to architecture, math and beyond. If you work your pull muscles (like your biceps and back), you absolutely need to work your push muscles (like your triceps and chest). Though it's nice to have a sculpted upper body (don't forget the shoulders), you also need to strengthen your legs. I know a lot of girls who refuse to work their legs because they don't want to have thunder thighs. That's just not how your physiology works. Your legs will get tighter; you'll see the definition of the four muscles that make up your quadriceps. Your butt will probably get bigger too but it won't have that flabbiness to it that it may have had before.

So remember, strength training is to make you stronger and healthier not just to make you look stronger and healthier. Train every muscle and its counterpart to ensure you're balanced and not walking lopsided.

In health,

Lauren