Do you need to tone and strengthen your legs, but you lack the motivation to go to the gym? Many people want to do something about their bodies, but it often means dragging the kids to a babysitter and finding time after a long day. However, you don’t need to leave your home to get the strong legs you desire.
That’s right, all you need is some willpower, motivation, and you can strengthen your legs right at home. Look around your house and think of activities that can help you have strong legs? Pushing the lawnmower around the yard may seem like a mundane task, but all that walking and resistance from moving the machine can give you quite a workout.
Ten Exercises for Strong Legs
What other things can help you get fit and strengthen your legs? Sometimes, you have to think outside the box a bit. Here are some great at-home workouts that you can do with or without hitting the gym.
1. Swimming
Unless you loathe water, swimming is an excellent choice to help you tone and buff those legs. Some workouts are boring, which is why people don’t stick with them. However, swimming is fun, and you don’t need a babysitter as the kids can splash around with you.
According to an article on Better Health, you use nearly every muscle in your body while swimming. So, it’s clear to see that you can focus on building strong legs and getting rid of flabby arms. For those who have joint problems that feel pain when they do any maneuvers, you may find that the water helps with such issues, as you seem weightless.
Water takes the pressure off your joints and muscles so that you can focus on working out and not the pain. Even if you don’t own a pool, you can borrow a neighbor’s or use one at a local recreation center. If it’s something you love to do as an exercise, you might consider installing an inexpensive above-ground model.
2. Running
Have you ever paid attention to the legs of runners? The next time there’s a marathon in town, watch the leg muscles in these talented individuals. They can certainly have strong legs because they work those muscles constantly. Running is an excellent way for you to build some strength in your lower region.
Other benefits include working your buttocks as well as your arms. Since you can pace yourself, there’s no need to try to win any races. You can go at a speed that’s comfortable for you. If you don’t like running outside when it’s hot or the weather is lackluster, you can get a treadmill for your home.
These are very inexpensive machines that allow you to adjust them according to your pace and resistance. Remember, the more elaborate the features, the more it’s going to cost you.
3. Walking
If running is not for you, most people can enjoy a nice walk. In fact, some experts say walking is better for you because it doesn’t put so much pressure on your knees. Power walking is a combination between running and walking that seems to fit most folks.
Grab a friend and head out on a walk each evening. In just a month, you will see a massive difference in your waistline as well as the strength of your legs. Plus, it won’t cost you a penny to walk every day.
4. Stair Climbing
A fascinating story about determination and the power to lose weight and gain strength comes from Debra Stefan Fitness. Stefan is a motivational speaker and helps people to lose weight. When her 41-year-old, morbidly obese client couldn’t even climb the stairs, she told her to crawl.
The stairs in your home are a fantastic workout for you. For some, the thought of going up and down a flight just once seems unbearable. However, when you use them to exercise, they take on a whole new purpose. Stefan reported that the lady couldn’t walk, so she began crawling up the stairs.
Sure, it was painful, and she wanted to give up. However, on day 25, she was walking up and down with ease. What’s even more impressive is that this lady was in a scooter and almost immobile.
If you have stairs in your home, it may be the key to building those leg muscles and losing a few pounds. Plus, it can improve your mobility if you suffer from a loss.
5. Squats
Squats remain the quintessential exercise to strengthen the lower part of your body. Since you use your legs to go up and down during these maneuvers, you will build muscle. There are many different variations of these traditional moves, and you can add weights for more resistance.
Click to learn how to do squats and other couch exercises.
6. Jump Rope
When it comes to buying exercise equipment, it doesn’t come any cheaper than a jump rope. You can jump in a traditional style, or you can get creative. Have you ever tried double Dutch maneuvers?
When you’re jumping and moving about, you’re working those legs, but you’re moving other parts of your body too. If you want to invest more and get a better rope, you can try the cross rope. These have adjustable weights made into them that can intensify your session.
If you want to burn more calories, try bringing your legs up higher to get those muscles working harder. Other moves like double under and crossover also bring some significant arm action into the game, which can only enhance yet another major muscle group in your body.
7. Leg Press
Now, a leg press is one exercise you will need a machine to do, but it’s worth the cost for such equipment if you want to set up a home gym. One of the benefits of a leg press is that it can target the quads so that few other maneuvers can do.
Additionally, you can adjust the resistance and weights of the machine so that you get a workout that’s just for you. You can add to it as your legs become more muscular, and you can handle more of a challenge.
8. Leg Lifts
This is another maneuver that doesn’t require any equipment, but you will certainly feel the burn. Get on all fours like a dog. Then, you want to kick one leg behind you and hold it.
Bring that leg back into your core and the starting position. Now, do the other leg. You will not only feel your leg muscles working, but you will also get some significant work done on your glutes too.
9. Cycling
Cycling comes with a couple of options, as you can use a stationary cycle when the weather is terrible, and you can use a bike to hit the roads when it’s nice out. Cycling won’t just improve your legs, but it will strengthen your entire body. Another fascinating thing about this workout is that it can help ease anxiety and depression too.
According to So Cal Cycling, there are many benefits, which include the following:
- Good workout for beginners
- Can enhance focus and concentration by altering brain chemicals
- Improves coordination and body balance
- It is a great way to manage some medical conditions
Another significant benefit of cycling is that you can bring the kids along. If your child is young, they have seats so they can enjoy the ride. Also, kids of all ages love riding bikes, so it’s an excellent way to get them moving too.
10. Leg Lift
Just lay on your back with your arms and legs straight beside and in front of you to do the simple leg lift. Your legs should always stay together, but you want to bring them upwards towards your abdomen. They should be completely vertical, and then you want to slowly lower them back down to the ground.
Each lift counts as one rep, and you should strive to do fifteen to twenty each session. Not only will your legs get a workout, but you will also feel a tightening as it strengthens your core.
Final Thoughts on Exercises for Strong Legs
Strong legs are essential as you age because many people become immobile due to joint and muscular issues. You can start improving your legs at whatever age, and all it takes is a bit of time and effort. If you don’t want to pay for expensive gym memberships, you can do whatever you want at home.
Have you seen those people on TV dancing and living the high life well into their golden years? These are folks that have made their body a priority and do things to stay in shape. You can find simple things around your home to help you, like the stairs, a lawnmower, or a swimming pool.
If you’re budget-minded, you can try a jump rope or even some kettlebells. Where there’s a will to get the strong legs that are toned, there’s a way. Now, you need to plan out how you’re going to achieve this goal so that you can start your at-home workouts.
