13 Leg Exercises That Will Have You Rockin’ Your Summer Shorts

If you are so over winter, here is a little something to look forward to! Soon you will be wearing your summer shorts, so why not rock them with pride? If you want to sculpt your legs and butt, we have the perfect exercises for you!

Sumo Squats

You know that pesky inner thigh area that no amount of exercise seems to touch? Sumo squats are its worst enemy. Start with your legs very far apart with your toes pointed out. Squat down and make sure you squeeze on the way back up.

Squats

Squats are a girl’s best friend! Maybe not, but they should be a staple in your workout routine. If you want to tighten and tone your legs and butt, try to do 3 sets of 18 squats a few days a week. You will definitely start to notice a difference in no time.

Squat Holds

You can do squat holds while your are watching TV or brushing your teeth. To transform your quads and hamstrings drop down in a squat and hold it for as long as you can. Try to work your way up to two minutes for sexy summer legs.

Walking Lunges

Next time your talking on the phone, do lunges up and down the hallway. This is a very effective way to isolate larger muscles, while still tightening up that booty. Plus, if you’re multitasking you won’t even realize how many lunges you are actually doing.

Jump Lunges

It’s time to take you lunge game to the next level. Add a little cardio to your leg routine with jump lunges. Drop down into a lunge and explode up. You will definitely feel the burn and your legs will thank you for it.

High Knees

High knees mix cardio with strength training for one killer exercise. Try to lift your knees as high as you can. Perform for 2 minutes, rest, and repeat 5 times.

Side Leg Lifts

Lie on your side with your legs straight. Bring one leg up, while keeping it straight, and drop it down slow. Point your toe towards the ceiling to really isolate your thighs. Do 3 sets of 20 lifts then switch legs.

Standing Hip Abduction

Stand straight up with your feet shoulder width apart. You may need to use a chair to help keep your balance. Keeping your leg straight, bring it out toward the side and drop it back down slow. Try to do 3 sets of 15 then switch legs. If you want to intensify this exercise, use a resistance band around your ankles.

Curtsey Lunges

Start with your legs shoulder width apart. Step across your body with your left leg and lunge down, like you are curtseying. Do 3 sets of 20 then switch legs. This exercise really targets that dreaded inner thigh area. If you want to make it harder, hold a weight in each hand.

Glute Kickbacks

Stand straight up with your feet shoulder width apart. While balancing on your left leg, take a step back with your right. Pulse your right leg up and down, trying to keep it as straight as possible. Do 25 pulses then switch legs.

Scissor Kicks

This exercise works your inner and outer thighs and your abs! Win-win-win! Lie on your back with your legs 6 inches off the ground. Then cross your legs over and under each other. Repeat for 25 reps. You will definitely feel the burn.

Standing Calf Raises

Stand on the edge of a stair so that the stair does not support your heels. Stand up on your tiptoes then drop down. Do 3 reps of 10 lifts for killer calves.

Wall Sits

Yep, we saved the best for last! You probably have a love-hate relationship with wall sits, but they need to be done. Keep your legs at 90 degrees and hold for as long as you can. Try to work your way up to 3 minutes.