Exercises for Legs

Leg exercises are an important part of any exercise regime. The leg exercises help in strengthening the leg muscles. These exercises help in achieving the right waist to hip ratio. You will be pleased to know, that the leg muscles are the easiest of the muscles to train. The results are also far more easy to achieve as compared to the other muscles in the body. One important point that one should always remember is that, when you are doing the leg and thigh exercises, you will be able to endure much more than you really think you can. At the same time, these exercises can be physically very demanding as most of them are compound exercises, which work multiple parts of the body.

Best Leg Exercises

The best leg exercises are the ones, which use the body weight. These exercises can easily be done at home, as they do not require any kind of equipment or also in the hotel room, when you are traveling, which will ensure you do not miss out on your workout and are able to achieve your fitness goal rather faster.

Lunges: They are among the best exercises for legs. To do this exercise, stand with shoulder width distance between your feet. Step the right leg in front of you, such that the leg is in line with the right hip joint. Slowly lower yourself, so that the right thigh is parallel to the floor and the left leg is extended straight out and the knee is locked. Come up and lower your torso again. This exercise should be repeated 12 to 15 times and then pulse for 5 to 7 counts, before you switch legs.

Squats: Like the lunges, this is one of the great leg exercises. To do this compound exercise, keep hip width distance between your feet. Extend your hands in front of you for balance. Now slowly lower yourself, so that your thighs are parallel to the floor, but your knees should not cross over your toes. Hold for a couple of seconds and slowly come back up to the starting position and repeat the exercise 12 to 15 times.

Step Ups: To get rid of fat accumulation on the legs, step ups have proved to be very useful. Use your stair landing to do this exercise. Step the right leg on the landing followed by the left leg. Now bring the right leg on the floor and then the left leg. Now step the left leg on the step, followed by the right leg and continue to do the exercise for 5 to 7 minutes to work the leg muscles.

Warrior: Although a static exercise, it will help you to work the muscles in the legs. It is similar to the lunges. Come into a lunge position with the right leg in front, but touch the tip of your fingers to the floor. Now slowly come up using the left hand to balance your weight, such that you are facing the left side. Keep both your hands extended straight out and lift the toes of the right leg, such that only the heel of the right leg touches the floor. Slowly come out of the position and repeat the same on the other side. When you are in the position, hold the position for 5 to 7 counts.

Leg Lifts: Stand closer to a wall for support to do this exercise for great legs. Make sure that the wall is to your left side. Now lift the right leg off the floor and extend it out straight in the air, slowly lower it, but do not touch it to the floor. Repeat the lifts for 15 counts. Now turn over to the other side and repeat the exercise on the other side as well.

Walking: Most of us underestimate the walking exercise. However, it is indeed one of the good exercises for the lower body. To reap the benefits of this exercise, you will have to ensure you walk for at least 30 to 40 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week. It has to be a brisk walk and not a casual stroll in the park kind of a walk. If you like it, you can also try power walking, which will bring in additional pressure on your legs and help you to tone your legs as well.

Cycling: You can either choose to use the stationary cycle or opt to go to work on your cycle. It is best to cycle on actual roads, as opposed to the stationary cycle. If you want to use the stationary cycle, make sure you use it with added resistance, so that it will work the leg muscles more.

If you suffer from any injury, then it is best to talk to your health care professional, before you do these exercises. When you are doing the exercise, if you suffer from pain, in your knees or in your lower back, stop doing the exercise. It is best to ensure you have the right position, when you are doing the exercise, to avoid injuries.