What makes thighs skinner

This ballet-inspired thigh-slimming exercise targets both the inner and outer legs. Stand with hands on hips, heels pressed together and toes rotated out to the sides about 45 degrees.

This quick plyometric plyo interval will get your heart pumping and tone your hips, thighs, and glutes. BTW: here's everything you need to know plyometric, aka jump-style training.

Step right foot out to the side about hip-width apart and bend knees, holding both arms in front of body, sitting back into a squat. Press hips behind body as if reaching back for a chair and keep chest lifted and eyes forward. Quickly push off the floor with both feet, jumping up and to the left.

Land with left foot stepping out to the side and back into squat position. Modification option: Instead of jumping, simply stay down in squat position and step feet quickly from side to side to raise your heart rate without the impact. Form Tip: Use your arms to get your momentum going and to help you push off the ground during this thigh-slimming exercise.

This kickboxing-inspired thigh-slimming exercise is a terrific way to hit your outer hips too. Start kneeling on all fours on carpet or a mat with arms extended under shoulders and knees bent under hips. Next, lift left knee keeping it bent straight out to the side of body, trying to bring it up to hip height.

Form Tip: Draw your abs in tight and try not to lean away from your legs as you lift it into your kick — press both arms strong into the floor, keeping hips square.

Condition the backs of your thighs, glutes, and get a bonus core workout with this targeted isolation exercise. Start kneeling and bend both elbows down to the floor below shoulders, hands clasped. Bend left knee and draw left leg in, lightly tapping the back of right knee with left kneecap. Form Tip: Press both arms down into the floor to avoid collapsing into your chest, and keep your abs drawn in tight so that your lower back doesn't sag while doing this leg-slimming exercise.

This tough thigh-slimming exercise improves flexibility in your hamstrings and hips while also toning your core, legs, and back. Start at the top of a push-up position or a high plank. Keeping abs drawn in tight, step right foot in between hands, bending knee so that right thigh is parallel to the floor, keeping back leg extended. Push weight into right foot while slowly standing up out of the lunge, leaning slightly forward with upper body, and tap left foot on the floor behind body at the top.

Bend right knee and lunge back down to the floor, placing hands flat on either side of right foot. Step right leg back to plank position and then repeat with the left leg.

Form Tip: If it's too difficult to stand up with your hands on the ground, place your hands on top of your front thigh for more support. This movement not only sculpts and shapes your inner thighs as you close your legs, but also tones your abdominals and hips as you maintain the move's forward lean. Lie on your back with your arms relaxed on the ground beside you. Slowly bend your knees in towards your chest, drawing your abs in.

Flex your feet and turn your knees out to the sides. Your heels should be touching. Now, press your legs out, widening them at a degree angle. With both legs extended and turned outward, squeeze the backs of your knees together your inner thighs. Bend your knees back in, maintaining the same degree line on the way back. To nix next-day soreness and increase flexibility, finish this routine with a relaxing stretch. Start seated, with the bottoms of your feet sandwiched together and your knees relaxed, out to the sides while holding onto your ankles.

Gently lean forward, lowering your chest towards your feet until you feel a deep stretch in your inner thighs. Hold this position for 30 seconds, and then relax. IE 11 is not supported.

For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. For the inner thighs, do these two ballet-inspired moves. To really change your muscles, you've got to challenge them. If you're a strength-training newbie, it's OK to start off using just your body weight. For squats and lunges, start with 16 pounds two 8-pound dumbbells and increase by 2 pounds each week or whenever it begins feeling easy.

You can't change your basic body type, but you still have a lot of room for improvement. If you have skinny legs, avoid long-distance running, which breaks down muscle and will make them even more birdlike. But if you've got short legs, too much heavy weight training can make you look even stockier. She recommends doing squats and lunges with just your body weight, and to aim for 12 to 18 reps.

Cardio will also help. Support from readers like you helps us do our best work. Build strength and mobility in your legs with these exercises to tone your thighs :. Nicki Howell. Nicki Howell started her professional writing career in , specializing in areas such as health, fitness and personal finance.

She has been published at health care websites, such as HealthTree, and is a ghostwriter for a variety of small health care organizations. Work toward slim, toned thighs with a well-planned diet and exercise schedule.

Video of the Day. Tip It's not possible to only lose weight in a particular body part, like your thighs. Set Realistic Goals. Create a Calorie Deficit. Eat a Nutritious Diet. Lean Protein. Lean meats like chicken and turkey breast Fish like salmon and tuna Nuts and seeds Soy products like tofu and tempeh Legumes like beans and lentils Dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese Eggs.

Eat Fibrous Foods. According to the NIA, whole grains are another important source of the nutrient, including:. Whole-wheat breads, pastas and cereals Oatmeal Quinoa Amaranth. Avoid or Limit Processed Foods.

Fast food Packaged baked goods like cakes and cookies Chips and crackers Fatty meats like bacon and sausage Margarine Soft drinks Candy.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you develop your exercise program. Cardiovascular Exercise.