Firm And Tone Those Legs

How many women refuse to wear shorts or put on a bathing suit because they are embarrassed about their flabby legs? If you would like to shape and firm up your legs and thighs, a few minutes of exercise each day will do the trick. Leg workouts for women that really work include squats, heel-lifts and lunges.

To perform a standing squat you should stand with your feet comfortably apart - slightly wider than shoulder width. Raise your arms up above your head and interlock your fingers. Next, slowly bend your knees and lower yourself down toward the floor. If you find yourself losing your balance you can bring your arms down and extend them out to the side or front of your body. Allow your body weight to carry you down as far as you feel comfortable and then rise up to a normal standing position. Make sure you keep your back straight as you perform this exercise that targets the quadriceps.

The lower leg or calf will benefit by doing a heel-lift exercise. You need no equipment to do this simple exercise. Simply stand in a normal straight-up position and raise your heels off the ground like you are standing on your tippy-toes. Hold that position for about 5 seconds and then lower yourself down. Repeat in sets of 10.

Finally, to tone up your thighs and give your legs an overall firmer appearance, try some lunges. Extend one foot several feet in front of your body, bend your knee and lunge forward.