If you'll be donning a costume with a short skirt, tiny shorts, or oh-so-tight leggings, these moves will help you feel more confident come Halloween [1] night. Up until the big day, incorporate a few rounds of this quick leg-sculpting circuit into your regular workout routine. Each exercise has a plyometric component to get your heart rate up while toning your gams — a win-win combination to see the results you're after!
Exercise One: Gate Swings
This deep inner-thigh stretch tones your glutes, quads, and both your outer and inner thighs, and it also gets your heart rate up. It might look straightforward, but you'll certainly feel the burn with this move.
- Begin standing with your feet together. Hop your feet wide apart, and come into a deep squat, bringing your hands to your thighs. Your toes will be pointed outward.
- Push off your thighs with your hands for leverage as you jump your legs together to complete one rep.
- Do as many reps as possible for one minute.
Related: 2-Week Notice: How to Feel Fit and Healthy on Halloween [2]
Exercise Two: Lunge Skips
Work your legs and lift that booty with these this superpowered lunge variation. Move quickly, but make sure you're paying attention to proper form to keep your knees safe.
- Come into a lunge with your right leg back. Swing your right leg forward to hop up on your left foot, and land softly back in a lunge.
- Repeat for 30 seconds and then switch sides for an additional 30 seconds.
Related: Outrun Those Ghosts! Pick Up the Pace With a Spooky Playlist [3]
Exercise Three: Single-Leg Forward Reach
This move will challenge your balance, fire up your core, and help tone the back of your body — including your legs.
- Stand with all your weight in your left foot, abs engaged and chest lifted.
- Reach your torso forward as you lift your right leg behind you. Reach your arms overhead for balance as your torso and leg come parallel to the floor.
- Hold this position for a moment, and reach through your right heel to engage the back of the right leg.
- Moving in one piece, lower your right leg toward the floor as you return to standing upright, resting the right foot lightly on the ground. This completes one rep.
- Do 15 reps before switching sides.
Repeat this circuit three to five times for a short sweat session or tack them on to the end of a longer workout.
Related: 3 Moves For Flat Abs by Halloween [4]