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Good Leg Exercises

Bhakti Satalkar
For most people, getting their legs in shape is one of the fitness goals. One can achieve this goal by performing good leg exercises. Read more to know the exercises, which you will want to incorporate in your workout to get toned legs and strong muscles.
All workout routines consist of leg exercises. Shaping the muscles of the legs is an important goal for most of the people. This can be attributed to the fact, that the right waist to hip proportion makes the lower body look very feminine in case of women. However, it does not mean that men do not do the leg exercises. It is important to note that the muscles in the legs are among the strongest muscles.
The results of the leg and thigh exercises are far more easy to achieve as compared to all other parts of the body. The exercises may vary from person to person as each one of us have different fitness goals.

Best Leg Exercises

When doing leg exercises, it is important to pay attention to your form and postures. Incorrect form may cause you injuries. At the same time, in your bid to shape up your leg muscles, do not over train the muscles. It is very important to keep a gap between two leg workouts.

Squats

Squats are among the best exercises to tone legs. To do the squats, stand with hip width distance between your feet. Slowly come into a position, as though you were about to sit on a chair. In this position make sure your knees do not cross over your toes. Hold the position for a few seconds and come back to the starting position. Repeat the exercise for 2 to 3 sets with about 10 to 12 repetitions in each set.

Lunges

Other than the squats, the lunges are among the best leg exercises. If this exercise is practiced consistently, the results will be for everyone to see.
Stand with shoulder width distance between your feet. Now step the right leg in front of you. The leg should be placed about 1 to 1.5 feet away from its starting position. Now bend the right leg and lower your torso, till the left knee is about to touch the floor. Slowly come back up and repeat the exercise.
This exercise should be repeated for 2 to 3 sets with 10 to 12 repetitions on both the legs.

Dead Lifts

This is one of the best hamstring exercises. Since it is a compound exercise, the results of the exercise are visible faster.
Stand with a little more than shoulder width distance between your feet. Place the barbell in front of you. Slowly bend down and hold the barbell with alternating grip. Without using the muscles of the back slowly lift the barbell straight up.
When you are almost straight, contract your glutes. Now gradually bend down and lower the weight to place it on the floor. Repeat this glute exercise, 8 to 10 times for 1 to 2 sets only. It is important that you do not use the back muscles to do this exercise.

Lying Leg Raises

This is one of the simplest and easiest leg exercises that can be practiced at home. Lie downside ways, such that the right leg is resting on the floor and the right hand supports your neck. Now flex the toes of the left leg and lift it up in the air. Slowly lower the leg, but do not touch the leg on the floor. Repeat this exercise with the left leg for 2 to 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions each and then switch over to the other side.

Leg Extensions - Standing

If you are looking for a good exercise to improve the mass, then you will have to do this exercise with the leg extension machine.
To do the standing variation, stand close to a wall for support. Now lift the leg, which is not next to the wall, straight in front of you. When you extend your leg make sure you flex your feet. Slowly bring the leg back closer to your body, but do not touch it on the floor.
Repeat the leg exercises on the current side, before you change over to the other side. The exercise should be repeated for 2 to 3 sets each with 10 to 12 repetitions.
One can repeat these exercises with weights as well. Along with the leg exercises, it is important, that you do some calf exercises as well. Make sure you warm yourself well before starting with these exercises. If you do not warm up well, there are chances of injury.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician before starting any physical fitness program in order to reduce the risk of injury.