Need to do something about my legs

[spiritmum]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but anyway...

I really need to tone and strengthen my legs, thoughs and calves/ankles. I'd like to get a bit of kit to use as home plus do some exercises, but don't know where to start.

Can anyone help?

How about leg raises? Lay flat on the floor and raise legs alternately and hold for a comfortable length of time, exercise bike, walking, skipping with a rope.

Thanks, nancy!

Are exercise bikes worth the money then? Instinctively I think cycling would be good (never learned to do the real thing) but I've heard about peopel bying them and never doing anything.

Leg raises. Right. Thank you!

Lunges and squats are great for legs. You can start just using your bodyweight and then hold dumbbells to increase the intensity and make it harder. Make sure you do some sort of gentle warm up to raise get the blood flowing first, eg a short walk or jogging on the spot etc, and then some static stretches when you've finished.

Thanks, Lostgirl. I do like doing squats and lunges, I can feel the benefits, guess I need to do them more often!

Hmm, leg raises more likely to tone tummy than legs IFYSWIM? Obviously tummy exercise good as well!

Agree with the squats and lunges. Might be good to look on Amazon for a lower body woprkout DVD - can get them that do 10/20 mins targeting bottom half.

Running also good for legs, but obviously can't do that at home unless you invest in treadmill or go up and down the stair a LOT!

Tummy toning's fine by me!

Running probably not good, I don't think my knees could take it atm. Walking's okay though.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but the 30 day shred is awesome for legs. I had flabby pudgy legs - would never be seen dead in shorts or a skirt, now my legs look fabulous. They're muscly in the right places, and look very good now!

I do still have wobbly inner thighs though, but nobody except DH sees that, and he says he doesn't mind

30 day shred has lots of lunges, star jumps and squats, which do wonders for your upper and lower legs. It's also a great workout for the rest of your body too.

Is that Jillian Michaels? She seems v.v. scary.

She is - but it works. Not easy; but only 20 mins a day so v doable.

Okay, bought the scary lady's dvd. Not sure if I'm up to it yet so have Davina to fall back on (can just about manage that atm )

Mind you, not getting a lot of anything done with the dc at home - will be much easier once they are out all day. Will give me something to look forward to as 'baby' ds is starting .

Well done!