Work
Out Your Issues: Legs
Source: Health.com
by Petra Kolber
In your quest for great-looking thighs and calves, who better
to emulate than a group famous for strong, beautiful legs:
dancers. These ballet-inspired moves will strengthen and
tone all of the muscles in you upper and lower legs—and
might even add more elegance to your stride. Try these moves
3 times per week, gradually increasing to 3 sets of each
per session.
 Calf
Raise and Leg Extension for calves and quadriceps
1A. Stand next to a chair, resting your right hand lightly
on the back for balance (but try to use the chair as little
as possible). With feet together, bend your left knee and
bring your left foot to the front of your lower right leg.
Extend left arm, and raise it to shoulder height.
 1B. Push up through your right leg onto your tiptoes. At the
same time, extend your left leg forward about 2 feet from
the floor (or as high as is comfortable), keeping hips level.
Pause, and return to starting position. Repeat 8–12
times on right leg, then switch legs.
 Plié to
Leg Sweep for upper legs and inner thighs
2A. Stand tall with your heels together, toes pointing out.
Step out to the side with your right leg, bending at the
knees and hips to lower into a plié position. (Thighs
should be almost parallel to the floor, with knees in line
with toes.)
 2B. Press
down on your right leg to return to standing. As you come
up, sweep your right leg across the front of your body (this
should be more of a lifting motion than a swinging one).
Your leg should be about 2 feet from the floor, or as close
as you can comfortably get. Pause, and return to plié position. Repeat 8–12
times on right leg, then switch legs.
>> Read
Full Article Here for the entire workout!
— Contributing Editor Petra Kolber
is a Reebok University Master Trainer.
Photography by David
Martinez.
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