8 exercises to tone your legs
Toned legs make for quite a desired physique, and can really make a big difference in how you see yourself in the mirror, as well as to how your body feels, even in simply walking up a long flight of stairs. Our legs make up a pretty decent amount of our physical body space, so it’s no wonder that it is such a common question for the internet or for one’s trainer as to how they can work on toning their legs. From the glutes, to the quads, to the outer thigh, the inner thigh, to the hamstrings, and to the calves, these leg workouts will help you sculpt all the various muscles that make up your leg’s muscular anatomy.
Let’s get started.
#1 One of our favorites… Lunges
Lunges are one of our favorite leg exercises, because not only do they work various parts of your legs, but they are customizable, fairly simple, and you can do them really anywhere. From standing lunges, to jumping lunges, to walking lunges, to side lunges, etc. there are so many variations that you can do to really target specific parts of your legs and buttocks. The targeted muscles of the generic lunge include the glutes, as well as the hamstrings, and quads in your thighs. While you work these muscles, your calves, abdominal muscles and back muscles all contribute to help stabilize your body.
#2 The oh-so-dreaded stair climber…
Many people dread the stair climber, and find it to be a surprisingly difficult machine to workout on. Who knew walking up some stairs could be so hard? But boy, does this machine do the body some good. This machine is a great way to build up the muscles in your legs, by working most all of your major lower-body muscles, such as your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.
#3 The up-and-coming spin classes…
Spin classes have become a major exercise trend in the Dallas Fort Worth area, and there is a good reason why people are going frantic to find the nearest cycling gym in Arlington. Spin classes, also known as cycling classes, are great cardio workouts, but they also work out pretty much every muscle in your legs.
#4 The easy-going inclined stroll…
For those who like things a little less intense, we recommend the inclined-treadmill power walk. Walking for 30 minutes to an hour on a high incline on the treadmill will do wonders for your buttocks and legs.
#5 The booty-loving workout move… Squats
Ah, squats. We love squats for toning and shaping our buttocks. It’s the perfect exercise move to get yourself bikini bottom ready, or to rock our favorite athletic wear, the wonderfully sexy, but comfy, yoga pants. There are many variations of squats that you can do to work your booty and your legs, and boy will you be satisfied with the results.
#6 The do-it-all workout… Running
Running is a great cardio exercise, that is also amazing for your legs, as well as multiple other parts of your body. Have you ever seen a runner that doesn’t have great legs? The cardio aspect helps you to burn fat, while also toning the muscles in your legs. The great part about using a treadmill is being able to change the incline and speed to fit your pace.
#7 The get-strong leg exercise… The leg press
The leg press has its pros and cons. Many trainers stray away from the leg press because many people injure themselves on this machine by not doing the exercise correctly. But when done correctly, it is a great strength and muscle building exercise for your quads, glutes, and hamstrings.
#8 The, “I want a thigh gap” exercise… Scissor kicks
This exercise move is great for your inner thighs, as well as your lower abs. The ladies tend to really love this exercise, as it tends to target most of their “problem” areas as a part of the female’s body design.
If you are looking to tone those legs or just get in shape, we can help. Here at Fitness Nation, we are a 24-hour gym in Arlington that cares about you and your well-being. Come by, or contact us today, to check out what we have to offer and see how we can help find a healthier and happier you.