They get you up off the couch and walk you through the park. We use our legs every day, so it’s easy to take them for granted and assume they’ll be just fine—until you can’t take the mile hike along the trail, or you have trouble going up and down the stairs. Your leg muscles are powerhouses that work together to propel you up out of your chair, out the door, and down the road walking or running. They support your body and are actively making adjustments to keep you balanced and vertical. Your calves help stabilize your ankles, your hamstrings and quadriceps work together to support your knee. The bottom line—you’ll maintain or improve day-to-day function and enjoy the physical activities you love. Bonus: your legs will look lovelier at the beach or by the swimming pool this summer.

Anita Wilson, Curves Southdale
www.curves.com