How to Make Leg Workouts and Exercises More Effective

1 Work Each Leg at a Time

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Include exercises like step-ups, single-leg deadlifts, lunges, split squats, and donkey kicks into your routine to make sure you work each leg equally and ensure you're not relying on one more than the other.

1 / 5

2 Superset

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

Adding a 30- to 60-second set of a plyometric exercise that uses the legs will not only be a short burst of fat-burning cardio, it'll also stimulate the muscles a little more. Try jogging on the spot or cross jacks.

2 / 5

3 Perfect Your Form

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kat Borchart

It doesn't matter how many squats or lunges you do if your form is bad. Not only will your muscles not develop the way you want, you're also making yourself susceptible to injury. Get back to basics and perfect your form by leaving the weights alone and watch yourself in the mirror at the gym or at home to inspect every aspect of the motion without any weights.

3 / 5

4 Increase Intensity

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kat Borchart

Never mind how much you think you hate squats — your body loves a challenge! If you have your form down and are comfortable with weights, try pushing yourself by adding another set, upping your weights, pushing yourself to squat or lunge a little lower, and slowing down your reps so you feel every muscle expand and contract.

4 / 5

5 Stretch

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Benjamin Stone

That 10-minute burst of cardio you're doing before a strength-training session might not be doing the trick at limbering your leg muscles up. While you shouldn't stop doing it altogether, try to make quick leg and hip stretches a daily habit.

It's important to regularly show your legs some love with yoga and stretches, especially if you sit down all day.

5 / 5