Leg Workouts & Exercises to Gain Strength

Fitness

The Leg Exercise You’re Missing in Your Routine: How to Do Kettlebell Squats

By Jenessa Connor, CPT; March 6, 2023

What’s the best way to spice up a standard squats? Add a kettlebell (or two) and make them kettlebell squats! Even if you’ve experimented with...

Fitness

How to Do a Squat Thrust

By Andrew Heffernan CSCS, GCFP; August 2, 2022

What makes the squat thrust so effective? Using only your bodyweight, it repeatedly hits many of the major muscle groups in both your upper and lower...

Fitness

How to Do the Donkey Kick Exercise

By Andrew Heffernan CSCS, GCFP; March 9, 2023

Like the animal for which they’re named, donkey kicks get no respect. All you’re lifting is your leg, after all — how hard can that...

Fitness

The 4 Best Hip Extension Exercises

By Lauren Bedosky; March 3, 2023

If you want to move more powerfully and prevent injury, it’s time to incorporate hip extensions into your exercise routine. So, what’s a hip extension?...

Fitness

How to Do a Reverse Lunge

By Jenessa Connor, CPT; March 27, 2023

If you’ve grown a little bored with your typical bodyweight workout, try taking a step back — literally — with the reverse lunge. A twist on...

Fitness

How to Do a Jumping Lunge for Leg and Booty Gains

By Elizabeth Millard; March 14, 2023

Whether done by stepping forward or backward, the lunge is popular among trainers for good reason: It not only hits your legs and glutes, but also works your core and...

Fitness

How Quad Sets Can Help Your Legs Recover Faster

By Jenessa Connor, CPT; March 10, 2023

Quad sets are one of those simple yet powerful exercises that can help you make the most of a period of recovery or rehab. As...

Fitness

Learn All About the Muscles of Your Legs!

By Andrew Heffernan CSCS, GCFP; February 21, 2023

If you want to build stronger legs, don’t overlook the importance of learning a little bit about your leg muscle anatomy. No, you don’t need...

Fitness

10 of the Best Moves for Your Thigh Workout

By K. Aleisha Fetters, C.S.C.S.; March 16, 2023

The best thigh workout not only builds muscle but, by training some of the largest muscle groups in your body, also burns an incredible number...

Fitness

How to Do the Donkey Calf Raise

By Lauren Bedosky; March 15, 2023

If you’re bored to death with standing calf raises, it may be time to swap them out with something a little more interesting: The donkey calf...

Fitness

All About Lunges: 13 of the Best Variations

By K. Aleisha Fetters, C.S.C.S.; March 9, 2023

Lunges are often an afterthought when it comes to lower-body exercises. In most workouts (maybe yours?) they typically take a back seat to “bigger” moves such...

Fitness

Tight Quads? Try These 3 Lying Quad Stretches

By Page Grossman; March 14, 2023

When it comes to keeping your quad muscles strong and healthy, stretching is as important to your routine as strengthening exercises are. Lying quad stretches really target the...

Fitness

Are Quad Extensions Safe for You?

By K. Aleisha Fetters, C.S.C.S.; March 20, 2023

The quadriceps are a group of four muscles found in the front of your thighs. They are all about extending, or straightening, the knee. When you get...

Fitness

How to Do Standing Calf Raises

By Stepfanie Romine; March 7, 2023

Standing calf raises require minimal equipment — or none at all — and they’re suitable for beginners and seasoned exercisers alike. This move works your...

Fitness

How to Do Seated Calf Raises

By Brittany Risher Englert; March 2, 2023

As easy as it may look, the seated calf raise strengthens the muscles that not only make you a better runner, but also support basic...

Fitness

How to Do the Dumbbell Deadlift for a Superior Posterior

By Andrew Heffernan CSCS, GCFP; March 7, 2023

Looking for a novel way to work your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back while burning a ton of calories at the same time? The dumbbell deadlift, a less-celebrated take...

Fitness

Sculpt a Lean, Beautiful Physique With XB Pilates by Andrea Rogers

By BODi; March 9, 2023

Andrea Rogers’ XB Pilates workouts are always 30 minutes or less with no equipment required, and you can do them in the comfort of home!...

Fitness

See What Barre Can Do to Your Butt and Thighs

By Elizabeth Millard; March 2, 2023

When people start doing barre workouts consistently, they often (happily) notice a change in their thighs (and the rest of their body), which makes sense,...