How do I tone my legs?

If you are like me, you are dreading swimsuit season and not wanting to show those legs off. With a little dedication you can have your legs toned and looking beautiful. I have put together some simple at home leg exercises that are sure to tone and shape up those legs.

Lunges

Lunges work most of the muscles in your legs with one simple exercise:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and then take one big step forward with your left foot.
Place your hands on your hips for balance and then lower your body straight down until your back leg forms a right angle at the knee.
Using your leg muscles, slowly raise yourself back up.
Repeat the movement for 3 sets of 20-30 repetitions for each leg.

Heel Raises

Heel raises work the calf muscles.

Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. You may want to place your hands on your hips to help with balance.
Raise your body up onto your tiptoes and hold it for a few seconds. Lower back down slowly.
Repeat this leg exercise for 3 sets of 30-40 heel raises.

Squats

Squats are very good for firming and shaping the buttocks and upper thighs.

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and arms by your sides.
Keep an upright posture and slowly lower buttocks as though about to sit down in a chair. Lower several inches and then slowly stand up.
Do 3 sets of 15-20 squats.

Plies

Plies are a good way to tone the inner and outer thighs.

Stand with your feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart.
Take one small step out with each foot and then turn your feet outward.
Place your hands on your hips or hold the back of a chair for support.
Keeping you back straight, gently lower your entire body down about six inches and then raise it back up slowly.
Repeat the movement for 3 sets of 25-30 repetitions.

Lateral Raises

For the outer thighs:

Begin with your weight on your left foot and your right foot pointed out at an angle.
Hold on to a chair or wall for balance and slowly raise and lower your right leg out to the side. You do not have to lift your leg high; just raise it as far as is comfortable.
Complete 3 sets of 20-25 repetitions for each leg.

For the inner thighs:

Stand again with your weight on your left foot.
Raise and point your right foot in front of you.
Slowly move your right foot and leg across your left leg. If you do not feel stress in your inner thigh, turn your leg so that the inner thigh is facing the ceiling and slowly sweep the leg back and forth across the other.
Repeat for 3 sets of 20-25 repetitions for each leg.

By the time you complete these exercises your legs are probably gonna be screaming for a rest. But with some self discipline the exercises will get easier over time and soon you will begin to see the results of your hard work. Just stick with it and you will be proud to show off those lean legs.

~NiCoLe~

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