Working out at home has become more popular than ever before. More people are creating home gyms to get the benefits of exercise without having to leave their homes. Building a stronger lower body is important for overall health and fitness.

Strong legs support proper posture, balance, and stability. Here are 12 leg exercises you can do at home to build a stronger lower body.

1. Squats

Squats are one of the most popular leg exercises because they work the quads, hamstrings, and glutes.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your back straight, and lower your body by bending at the knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Make sure your knees do not extend over your toes and push back up to the starting position.

2. Lunges

Lunges work the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and step forward with one leg. Keep your back straight and lower your body until your rear knee almost touches the ground.

Push back up to the starting position and repeat the exercise with your other leg.

3. Deadlifts

Deadlifts work the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips, and lower your body while keeping your back straight. Keep the weight close to your legs and push back up to the starting position.

4. Step-ups

Step-ups work the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Stand facing a bench or step and step onto it with one foot, then bring your other foot up. Step down with the same foot, then the other. Repeat the exercise with the opposite leg.

5. Calf Raises

Calf raises work the calf muscles. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, raise up onto the balls of your feet, and slowly lower your heels back down. You can hold onto a sturdy piece of furniture for balance.

6. Leg Presses

Leg presses work the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the ground and knees bent. Push your feet into the ground to raise your hips, then slowly lower them back down to the starting position.

7. Bulgarian Split Squats

Bulgarian split squats work the quads and glutes. Stand facing away from a bench or step and place one foot on it. Lower your rear knee until almost touching the ground and push back up to the starting position. Repeat with the other leg.

8. Glute Bridge

Glute bridges work the glutes and hamstrings. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips off the ground while squeezing your glutes and lower your hips back down.

9. Wall Sits

Wall sits work the quads. Stand with your back against a wall and lower your body by bending at the knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Hold this position for as long as you can.

10. Single-leg Deadlifts

Single-leg deadlifts work the hamstrings and glutes. Stand on one leg and bend forward at the hips while keeping your back straight. Reach your other leg behind you and return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise with the opposite leg.

11. Side Lunges

Side lunges work the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and step to the side with one leg, bending at the knee and lowering your body. Push back up to the starting position and repeat with the other leg.

12. Sumo Squats

Sumo squats work the inner thighs, glutes, and quads. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, toes pointed outwards. Lower your body by bending at the knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Push back up to the starting position.