It’s summertime, which means it’s shorts season and we all have to show off our legs. You might be feeling like you’re not ready to start letting the world see them yet, but have no fear. When you’re headed to the gym and you’re tired of squats, I feel ya, girl. I’m tired of squats too. It’s so repetitive and boring and after a while, it feels like it’s not even working anymore! Here are a few exercises to replace squats to tone those legs and lift that booty.
- Stair Climber
This is an aerobic exercise, so it benefits your legs and it’s a good warm-up. Stair step for 15-20 minutes and you’ll be burning. Somedays, you’ll only manage 10 minutes, and it’s still extremely good for your calves, quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
- Donkey Kicks
These kicks are great for your hamstrings and your glutes, which burns when it’s happening, and after, but really benefits your legs. Get on your hands and knees, make sure your back is straight, at lift your legs straight into the air. Do 15 of them on each side.
- Hydrants
Hydrants are similar to donkey kicks, but these are benefitting your hip flexors and your glutes. Stay on your hands and knees and swing your legs out to the side to hip height. Do 15 on each side.
- Mountain Climbers
These will get your heart pumping, and torture you too! These benefit your arms and your legs at the same time. Start in a push-up position and kick your knees to your elbows. Do 45 seconds of them.
- Curtsy Lunges
When it comes to curtsy lunges, I want to cry a little bit. These are good for your glutes, quads, and hip flexors. Kick out your leg to the side and then bring it behind your standing leg and bend both into a semi-curtsy. Switch off legs and do 15 each side.
- Calf Raises
Although these calf raises may seem like nothing, especially after a few of these other exercises, but trust me, they do. Because they take balance, these work your calves and hamstrings to really support your booty. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart and raise up onto your toes. Do for 45 seconds.
- Sumo Squats
Yes, I know, these have squat in the name, but I promise these make you feel the burn. Stand with your legs wider than shoulder width apart and squat, farther than normal, then come back up – making sure you’re going slowly and controlling your movements. Hold a kettlebell to make this harder. Do 15 reps.
- Glute Bridges
These are the devil, but they really strengthen your glutes and hamstrings. Lay on your back and put your heels as close to your booty as possible. Then push up to lift your hips off the ground. Do 15 reps.
Try, this summer, to work up to doing three sets of these exercises and you’ll have the best summer legs yet. Don’t let your other body parts go forgotten though! Let’s make this the best, and healthiest, summer yet.
Featured image via Carl Barcelo on Unsplash
