Q:
The more I work out, the bigger my legs get. What are some good exercises for trim and toned legs?
mgnamrphy asked this
A:
Answers (4)
EXPERT
More On ChickRx:
EXPERT
I'm a big fan of step ups to tone the legs. You can do this exercise using your own body weight or hold free weights down at your sides.
Find a raised step, bench, or platform and stand directly in front of it with your toes pointing forward. You should be as close to the platform as possible. Until you gain strength, use a platform about 12-15 inches off the ground. Eventually you can work up to a higher platform, as long as you can place your foot flat while having a bent leg. If not using weights, keep your hands on your hips. This way you won't use your upper body to gain momentum as you step up.
Place one foot on the platform in front of you and push through the heel to raise up to a standing position. Your standing foot will float behind you as you lift up. Keep your core tight and your upper body straight as you push up. You should feel that your quadriceps are doing most of the work as you lift up. At the top of the movement, squeeze your glutes and hold for 1-2 seconds. In a slow, controlled movement, bring your body down keeping your top foot planted on the platform.
Try to land softly on your standing foot so that you are still using the leg strength on the raised side to bring your body back down.
Do 12-20 reps on each side 2-3 times.
To work the inner and outer thighs, turn so that your side is to the platform and repeat the movement above. This time focusing on your inner things to help you up.
More On ChickRx:
EXPERT
There is a law of science. Matter cannot be created, it can only be transformed. In your case you are talking about mass. The mass of your legs are growing larger. For your legs to grow larger, your body must consume more mass and convert that mass to more leg mass.
So simply put, you cannot grow larger in size in any area of your body unless you have somehow consumed more mass. If I was dying of starvation, no matter how I worked out my legs it will not grow. If anything I will shrink in size because I am actually burning off energy that I need.
So ultimately the question is, what changes in your diet whenever you work out? Do you eat more because you worked out? Do you drink energy drinks or gatorade? Do you reward eat, does your workout make you hungrier? Etc.
I mean I could give you tons of workout ideas but ALL of them will make your legs bigger or you bigger, even if its yoga or pilates if somehow while you are working out you are consuming more food or sugar than you normally would.
More On ChickRx:
More On ChickRx: