Having solid and toned legs has been on the checklist of many people. But sadly, most people fail to achieve them for various reasons. Sometimes, the exercises are done incorrectly, while the exercises are only incorrect in some cases. And after a point, people just stop trying, thinking that having toned legs is almost impossible. But the truth of the matter is that having toned thighs or toned legs is not all difficult, provided you do the right exercises in the right way.
And to help you know better, here’s a guide that covers pretty much everything about toned legs. Right from the importance of it to some of the best leg workouts to achieve toned legs, this guide covers it all. So, let’s get started!
Contents
What Do We Mean By Toned Legs?
Before anything else, let’s quickly establish what exactly mean by toning your legs.
Well, to answer the question, know that toning your legs is not just about shaping them. That is just one of the many things that happen once you start working on your legs. Toning legs means losing excess fat from your thighs, calves, etc., and gaining muscle in its place. This is done by performing bodyweight exercises, weight training, and strength training, coupled with a high-protein diet and an overall balanced lifestyle.
Why Should You Work On Toning Your Legs?
Having toned legs can make your legs look attractive and sharp, but that’s not the point behind it. The most significant benefit of toning your legs is getting more muscular. And we all know the more muscle, the more strength will be. When you train your legs well, they become more robust and capable of handling more pressure. This will keep your legs from giving up after a long day at work and will potentially give your lower body an ample amount of strength.
That being said, let’s find out how you can tone your legs by looking at some practical leg exercises to add to your workouts.
Lunges
If “how to lose thigh fat” is one of your most commonly asked questions, then your answer is right here. Lunges are excellent for your thighs and even your calves, for that matter. Both- backward and forward lunges majorly target the thighs and glutes and minorly target your calves. But if you make your lunges consistently and appropriately, your legs will tone up. You can get those sharp cuts and curves on your legs by making lunges every day while ensuring healthy muscle gain and toning too.
Squats
Squats are usually a part of most leg workout routines for home workouts or at the gym. The best part about squats is that they don’t just target your leg muscles, but even your back and core if they are done right. Squats are usually a part of most leg workout routines for home workouts or at the gym. You can begin with your squat journey by first doing them with your body weight and then slowly adding the weight while ensuring that your form is proper. You can also try different variations such as sumo squats, squat pulses, etc.
Slide Lying Leg Raises
This is yet another effective exercise for thighs that can be performed with or without any equipment. You can tone your thighs and glutes quite well by performing three to four sets of this exercise for 20 counts on each side. You can start doing these without any equipment and then continue doing them with a stretchable band for added pressure. Make sure your back is straight and your breathing technique is correct such that your core is engaged.
Calf Raises
When toning your legs, know that your calf muscles are the most noticeable and require maximum muscular strength. This is why building your calves with targeting exercises is a must. Again, in the case of this exercise, you can do it for only 10-15 counts at first and then slowly increase both- the number of reps and the number of sets. However, make sure that your legs are straight throughout the exercise and that you ensure decent balance at all times.
Jump Squats
Jump squats can become a part of your leg workout and cardio because it gets your heart running. Jump squats require a blend of strength and stamina, so doing them regularly can improve both these vital health factors. Indeed, they can cause significant pain after your workout, or probably on the next day, but you should know that all of it will be worth it once you start seeing your legs tone up. However, make sure you’re wearing the right shoes for this exercise.
Tree Pose
Yoga can also prove helpful in toning your legs, and it will also help your body get more flexible. Usually, gym-goers have pretty stiff bodies because of all bodyweight exercises and strength training. But by adding a couple of yoga poses, such as the tree pose, to your routine, you can achieve a pretty solid balance of strength and flexibility. The tree pose exerts pressure on the hamstrings and even other muscles of the body. This helps in toning them quickly.
Eagle Pose
The eagle pose is yet another effective yoga pose for improving the strength of your legs and making them look muscular and toned. Eagle pose can be performed anywhere and everywhere, making it perfect for people who work out at the gym and those who work out at home. Eagle pose will not just help you develop your muscular strength but additionally, it will also help in improving your balance. And that, in turn, will improve your potential to perform other exercises too.
Leg Cardio
Last on this list is leg cardio, any form of cardio that requires maximum involvement from your legs. This may include walking, jogging, running, etc. In addition to that, leg cardio also involves exercises like swimming, cycling, hiking, skipping, climbing stairs, etc. These exercises will do many things at once, such as helping you lose excess fat, gain muscle, tone your legs and develop the overall stamina of your body.
CONCLUSION
All in all, toning your legs is an excellent way of achieving greater muscular strength while ensuring that your legs look attractive all the time. With the exercises mentioned earlier done correctly, you can quickly tone your legs in just a couple of months. However, you would have to ensure a healthy and balanced diet and good sleep habits, and progressive overload in the workouts.
