Exercising is an essential aspect of staying healthy and fit. It has several benefits, including weight loss, improved muscle strength, and better mental health.
In this article, we will be discussing ten exercises that can help you tone your legs and back.
1. Squats
Squats are highly effective in building strong leg and back muscles. To perform a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Next, bend your knees and lower your hips as if you are sitting down in a chair.
Make sure your knees don’t go beyond your toes, and keep your back straight. Push back up to your starting position, engaging your buttocks, and repeat.
2. Deadlifts
Deadlifts target the muscles in your back and legs, making them a popular exercise in weightlifting. To execute a deadlift, stand with your feet hip-width apart, and grip the barbell with your palms facing down.
Lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the ground, keep your back flat, and lift the bar up while straightening your legs. Lower it slowly back to the ground, and repeat.
3. Lunges
Lunges are effective in toning the muscles in your legs, especially your glutes, hamstring, and quadriceps. Start by standing straight with your feet hip-width apart.
Next, step forward with one foot while keeping your back straight and bend your other knee as if you are kneeling. Your front thigh should be parallel to the ground, and your back knee should be a few inches above the floor. Push against the floor with your front leg to rise back up to your starting position, and then switch sides.
4. Split Jumps
Split jumps are a more intense version of lunges that tone your leg muscles and improve your cardiovascular health. Start with a lunge position with your front knee bent at 90 degrees, and your back leg extended behind you.
Jump up explosively, switch your legs mid-air, and land softly with the opposite leg placed forward. Repeat the motion, alternating sides.
5. Donkey Kicks
The donkey kick is an exercise that targets the glutes and hamstring. Get down on all fours with your hands supporting your body and your knees bent at 90 degrees under your hips.
Extend one leg behind you, keeping it straight, and raise it until it is parallel with your back. Lower the leg back down without touching the ground and repeat the motion, then switch sides.
6. Leg Raises
Leg raises target the muscles in your lower back, buttocks, and legs. Lie down on your back with your legs extended, and your arms on either side of your body.
Slowly raise your legs off the ground, keeping them straight, and then lower them back to the floor. Repeat the motion for several repetitions, making sure to engage your core muscles throughout the process.
7. Plank to Leg Lift
The plank to leg lift exercises your abs, back, and legs. Start in a plank position, with your palms on the ground, shoulder-width apart, and your legs extended. Lift one leg off the ground, keeping it straight and tap your toe outside your opposite foot.
Lower the leg back down, then switch sides.
8. Fire Hydrant
The fire hydrant engages the muscles in the glutes, hips, and thighs. Begin in a kneeling position, with your palms and knees on the floor. Raise one leg out to the side, keeping the knee bent at a 90-degree angle.
Lower it back down and repeat the motion, then switch sides.
9. Single-Leg Deadlift
The single-leg deadlift is a variation of the regular deadlift that targets your lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. Stand with your feet together and slowly raise one leg backward while lowering your upper body until it is parallel to the ground.
Keep your back straight and extend your arms out to maintain balance. Push back up to your starting position, then switch sides and repeat the motion.
10. Glute Bridge
The glute bridge is an exercise that targets your buttocks and lower back. Begin by lying on your back with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent.
Raise your hips off the ground, keeping your feet planted on the floor, until your body forms a straight line. Lower your hips back down and repeat the motion.