Featured
Leg Exercises
Sugar Editorial Picks
No Equipment Necessary: Side Lunges
Side lunges offer a new take on regular lunges. They allow you to work your hips, glutes and thighs a bit differently than traditional squats and lunges while still targeting the major muscles of the lower body. I personally think they provide a really good workout, and are easier to do.
Other Search Results
Multitasking Move: Side Plank Star
Looking for a move to target you shoulders, core, and legs? Give Side Plank Star a try. It's tough to balance at first, but once you start including this move in your strength training sessions, you'll gain stability and strength.
Get on the Ball: Bridge Single Leg Lifts
If you're looking for a challenging way to strengthen and tone your quads and hamstrings, you're going to love doing single leg lifts on a exercise ball. All at once, you'll be working the quad and hip flexors of the lifting leg, but you'll also feel an incredible burn in the hamstring and glutes of the leg remaining on the ball. That's because it takes a tremendous amount of down pressure to keep the ball in place as you do your leg lifts.
ExerciseTV: Single Leg Squats With a Chair
Single leg squats are one of my December must haves. They are a great way to get your legs mountain ready. Even if you don't like snow sports, single leg squats are a challenging exercise to add into your strength training routine.
Get on the Ball: Prone Leg Raise
The Prone Leg Raise on the Ball is great for stabilizing the spine and strengthening the lower back, but even more than that it also works your hips and glutes. To do this exercise you'll need an exercise ball. Here's how:
- Lie face-down on a stability ball with your arms bent slightly, abs tight, and legs straight.
- Keep your abs engaged, slowly lift both legs toward the ceiling.
- Pause for three seconds (or at least one second), then lower your legs back to the floor.
- Do two sets of 10 reps.
ExerciseTV: Get Ballet Legs With Pliés
I have received a few requests recently for leg exercises that tone without creating bulk. The answer to those requests is this great thigh workout from ExerciseTV. They were generous enough to share this video with me and to sponsor this post.
No Equipment Necessary: Seated Sweeping Leg Lift
Time to strengthen those quads with this simple yet effective move you can do anywhere. This exercise will tone your upper legs, which will make your legs appear slimmer. Toned thighs will also give you strength when running, biking, swimming, or doing everyday activities like going up stairs.
Multitasking Move: Elevated Leg Lift
If you're looking for a way to work your abs, triceps, glutes, and hamstrings, then give this Elevated Leg Lift a try. You'll need to prop both legs up slightly, so use a step aerobics step if you have one, a step stool, or a sturdy stack of books.
Grab a dumbbell and then read more
Get on the Ball: One-Legged Lift
Looking for an effective way to strengthen your core and quads? Then grab your exercise ball and a dumbbell and give this exercise a whirl. This move is deceptive; it's much harder than it looks, since it really challenges your sense of balance.
Multitasking Move: Balancing Side Leg Lift Squat
I love combo strength-training moves that target more than one part of the body, and I also love quick moves I can throw in throughout my day, even when I'm not at the gym. This balancing booty- and thigh-toning exercise can be done while blow-drying your hair, waiting for the bus, or talking on the phone.
Music: "Oh, Atlanta," by Alison Krauss
For detailed instructions, continue reading.
More on PopSugar
Holiday
Top Brands
Nuovegioie
black'Up
Balenciaga