Effective Thigh Exercises

Strong legs are a great asset. Not only do they look good in shorts or a skirt, they can dramatically improve your athletic performance. Thigh exercises are those that work the major muscles of the legs, including the hamstrings and the quadriceps. Many thigh exercises simultaneously work the calves and the glutes too, making them great lower body work. Whether you are looking to add a “leg day” to your workout schedule or simply want a few moves that focus on the gams, I have some great thigh exercises for you.

The #1 of all thigh exercise, in my opinion, is the lunge. Some people prefer to step forward into a lunge, while others step back. Some even prefer the “walking lunge”. When you find the lunge that suits you best, start out with 3 sets of 15. As those get easier add more or consider holding weights.

Another great one in the world of thigh exercises is the squat. This is an excellent way to firm up the muscles in your thighs as well as your hips and butt. There are many approaches to squats but remember the safest ones don’t allow your knees to go out past your toes when looking down. Sit back into a squat, keeping your upper body as straight as possible for maximum benefits. When straight squats get too easy, add some hand weights.

P90X includes several great options when it comes to lower body work and thigh exercises. The “Legs & Back” DVD offers a great way to firm up the lower half. Tony Horton will walk you through an extreme lower body workout with this one and include the back muscles for some variety and a much needed break.

On the cardio end of things, the Kenpo X DVD provides a different approach to thigh exercises. With all of the kicking and solid stances in this workout, you will definitely have a high energy alternative to the typical thigh exercises.

When working your thighs make certain to keep it safe. Sore muscles are a sign you are making progress. Pain, however, is a sign that you are injured. There’s nothing quite like the soreness after a good thigh workout though to keep you coming back for more.