5 Workouts To Work Those Legs

We all love to work our legs, well, most of us.  Did you know that your legs are the key to your metabolism?  And for many women, the legs and booty are the hardest areas to work.  So I thought I would share a few of my favorite leg workouts with you to help you shape and tone your legs and booty.  You don’t have to have a barbell either.  You can use dumbbells in place of the barbell.  Use lighter weights at first to find out what weight you need to use, then go heavier next time you do these workouts.  But keep in mind that the heavier you go, the faster you will get results.  For you ladies, lifting heavier WILL NOT make you bulk up, in case you are afraid of bulking.  Ask any fitness professional, and take a look at their bodies.  They are fit women, have great butts, amazing legs, still look feminine, and lift HEAVY!  In fact, they may even swear off cardio because weight training helps you to lose more weight, burn more calories and fat, FASTER.  With traditional cardio, you burn calories for that duration only.  BUT with weight training, not only are you burning calories during your workout, but you’re burning calories ALL DAY LONG!

• Stiff-Leg Deadlift: 3 sets of 15. (Up the weight between each set if you’d like a more intense workout.) I did 12 lbs, 17 lbs, and then 22 lbs.  The key to this workout is to lock your knees and keep your back flat.  Use your quads on the way down, and squeeze your butt on the way up.
• Side to side squats: 4 sets of 10.  Use the same weight each time, decreasing the weight if needed.  Be sure to keep your butt down, but keep your chest up.
• Weighted Split Lunge, 3 sets of 15, EACH SIDE: Again, I upped the weight with each set, so I did 12 lbs, 17 lbs, and 22 lbs again.  Focus on the 90 degree angles with your legs as you go down, but don’t touch the floor.  Squeeze your butt and press into your heels, not your toes.
• Weighted Squat, 5 sets of 5, HEAVY!!!  Here I used two 15-pound dumbbells.  Take a short 5-10 second break between each set and keep your chest up.
• Squats, 4 sets of 15: Up the weight between sets to get a better workout and build those legs.  I used the 12 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, and 25 lbs.  Again, keep your chest up, butt back, knees over your toes, and get as low as you can.  Squeeze EVERYTHING on your way up!

When you do these workouts, let me know how you did!  Be sure to comment below with how you did and your weight selections!  I can’t wait to hear how your legs feel and look!