Our legs get lots of inadvertent attention from walking around or getting you to the end of your 3-miler, but your stems need some extra treatment from time to time.
Side leg lifts can be done anywhere which makes them the perfect exercise to squeeze in before bed, while you are waiting in line or as part of a lean legs routine at the gym. Side leg lifts are the simple, but often neglected exercise to help tone and strengthen the often overlooked leg muscles: the outer legs and hips.
Primary muscles engaged:
- Outer thighs
- Glutes
- Lower Abs
- Obliques
- Hip abductors
When practiced regularly and done in conjunction with other other leg focused activities, your legs will feel stronger and you will have more pep in your step.
Back to Basics Boot Camp Tip: Don’t turn the leg as you lift it and keep your knee pointing forward. This will keep your work on the outer thigh and glutes.
Mold your thighs and hips the right way with the help of this video from Prevention magazine:
Mastered the classic side leg lift and ready for something more challenging? Try these variations.
- Add a resistance band into the mix.
- Do a double leg lift by squeezing both legs together and lifting them off the floor.
- Go into side plank and add your side leg lifts in from there. Switch sides and repeat.
Do you add side leg lifts to your routine? What variations do you try?
