Quick Routine to Tone and Tighten the Legs

For the holidays, we're revisiting some of our favorite festive articles from the Beautylish archive. Enjoy!

Don’t be fooled by how simple this looks. Sometimes the simple routines are the ones that get you the most. This routine requires no equipment or gym membership. It takes less than 10 minutes and can be done on work breaks, at home, or outside at a park. It is quick but is designed to scorch those calories by burning out the legs and revving up the heart rate. Should I also mention it will really tighten, tone and lean out the legs while lifting the booty?

FAST SQUATS

Stand with your feet wider than your hips, toes turned out and hands interlaced behind your head. Engage your core. Begin a squat on an INHALE by imagining as though you are sitting back into a chair. Keep the energy in your heels and monitor that your knees are not going over your toes. Sink as low as you can and then EXHALE push into the heels and return back to starting position. Keep your chest up and eyes forward.

Perform these squats as fast as you can for a total of 10x-15x.

WADDLE SQUATS

Immediately after performing the FAST SQUATS, start in the low position of the squat and begin moving across the room or floor. Keep your booty as low as possible to the ground. Keep your energy in your heels, chest up and eyes forward. Make sure to keep your core engaged.

Perform at least a total of 10 steps (5 each legs)

WIDE SQUAT LEAPS

After your finish the 10 WADDLE SQUATS, still in your wide squat, begin leaping into the air. Leap up as high as you can and then land back into your low squat. Allow the arms to raise up over your head when leaping.

Notes: When landing, land as softly as possible. First landing on the ball of your foot and finding your way back into your heels while sinking low in the legs. Make sure to keep your core engaged at all times.

Perform 5 leaps

WADDLE SQUAT BACKWARDS

Immediately after the WIDE SQUAT LEAPS, perform part #2 of the routine but moving in a backwards direction to the same place where you started the FAST SQUATS.

Perform at least 10 steps ( 5 each leg)

Rest 30 seconds and repeat the whole routine 2 or 3 more times!

Enjoy!

This article was originally published on January 25, 2013

Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness.