Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Shapely Thighs at Home

Required Equipment:
  • Exercise Ball
  • Dumbbells


1.) WARM-UP WALKING

Walk/Jog for 10 minutes

2.) LEGS - DB SUMO SQUATS

Starting Position: - Hold a dumbbell in each hand and allow them to hang down at your sides. Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Distribute your body weight equally between both feet.

Movement: - Inhale, keeping your heels in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position. Exhale as you slowly straighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat as required.

How Many: 3 Sets of 15

3.) LEGS - KNEELING LEG EXTENSION II

Starting Position: On an exercise matt get down on your knees and elbows. Wrap the band around your left knee and right heel. Keep your back straight.

Movement: Exhale as you extend your right leg back until it has just a slight bend in it. Inhale as you slowly return your leg back down to the starting position. Repeat on other side as required.

How Many: 3 sets of 15

4.) LEGS - EXERCISE BAND LYING LEG PRESS

Starting Position: Lie on your back on an exercise matt with the band around the soles of your shoes and the handles held at chest level. Bend your knees in towards your chest and angle your feet upward.

Movement: Exhale as you press your feet up until your legs have just a slight bend in them. Inhale as you lower your legs back down to the starting position. Repeat as required.

How Many: 3 sets of 15

5.) LEGS - BALL DOUBLE LEG CURLS

Starting Position: - Lie on your back and position a small exercise ball under your lower legs. Press your palms into the floor for support on either side of your body.

Movement: - Exhale as you roll the ball in towards your buttocks as far as you can. Slowly roll the ball back to the starting position. Repeat as required.

How Many: 3 sets of 15

6.) LEGS - DUMBBELL SIDE LUNGES

Starting Position: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a slight bend in your knees. Grip a dumbbell in each hand with your arms hanging down in front of you.

Movement: Inhale as you take a large step to your right side and lower yourself down until your right knee has a 90-degree bend in it. Exhale as you press yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat on other side as required.

How Many: 3 sets of 15

7.) LEGS - SINGLE BALL WALL SQUAT

Starting Position: - Position an exercise ball between your middle back and a wall. Stand on one foot and lean back against the ball.

Movement: - Inhale, keeping your heel in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position while rolling the ball up your back. Exhale as you slowlystraighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat with other side as required.

How Many: 3 sets of 15

8.) LEGS - SIMPLE QUAD STRETCH

Starting Position: Lie on your left side on an exercise matt with your knees bent. Keep your knees and the inside of your thighs together.

Movement: Extend your left leg out straight, keeping your right leg bent. Grasp your right foot with your right hand and pull it in as far as you can while pushing yourpelvis forward. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side.

9.) LEGS - SIMPLE HAMSTRING STRETCH

Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt with your legs straight out in front of you and your palms placed on the matt for support.

Movement: Keeping your back straight bend at your waist and leanforward as far as you can. Hold this position for thirty seconds.

10.) CARDIOVASCULAR - CARDIO - JOGGING

Jog for 20 minutes walking only to recover