Thunder thighs are a sign of robust health – here’s how to keep yours super strong

The biggest takeaway from the Japanese study is that heart attack patients are 41 per cent less likely to go on to develop heart disease if they have strong upper legs. The researchers measured the strength of 1,000 recovering patients’ quadricep muscles over a period of four years and found that, for every 5 per cent increase in strength, the associated risk of heart failure lowered by 11 per cent. It’s believed that this is down to strong upper leg muscles releasing beneficial proteins that help the heart repair after a trauma.

Of course, it would be better not to have a heart attack in the first place – and there’s also plenty of well-documented evidence showing that carrying weight on the bottom half of the body, rather than areas closer to the heart, can help prevent frightening cardio issues, with higher blood pressure more likely in overweight and obese people who carry more of their weight on their stomachs than their lower halves.

But while adopting a healthy lifestyle, particularly as we age, can obviously minimise the chances of heart problems in general, it’s difficult for anyone to control where their body stores fat and carries weight. We might not be able to do much about the genetic factors that define our body shape, but it’s good to know that working on leg strength can offset some of the things that are harder to control.

‘Strong thighs are so important’

Fitness trainer Hannah Verdier often works with midlife clients who are looking to increase their lower body strength to protect their health as they age. “Although you can’t really change your body shape, you can strengthen your thighs. Strong thighs are so important as you get older – you want to stay pain-free and they’re vital for stability. It’s all about preventing falls and if you have strong legs and core, plus good balance  – practice standing on one leg while you’re brushing your teeth or washing up – it’s a great investment as you get older.”

Hannah recommends straightforward bodyweight squats as a great, accessible way to start strengthening your legs. “They’re a compound movement, which means they use several muscles – the exercise equivalent of value for money,” she says. “Focus on your technique and you can add weights later when you’re more confident. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, engage your glutes (squeeze an imaginary egg between your bum cheeks) and come down into a squat. You should still be able to see your toes. Keep the weight in your heels and push back up to a standing position, remembering to squeeze those glutes. Even if you can’t squat down into an imaginary chair, work within your range of movement and build on it.”