Yes, I know Simone Biles is the sh*t and constantly making history, but I still haven't been able to get over how amazing her legs looked as she competed at the 2019 US Gymnastics Championships. Maybe it was because I was mesmerised by her triple-double, a move no woman has ever landed in a competition before, but her legs honestly deserve a trophy of their own. They're strong (obviously, how else can she get that insane height when executing her tumbling passes) and sculpted, and I can't get over them.
If you even remotely feel like I do about Simone's legs, you're probably wondering what exercises you can do at the gym to achieve a strong and sculpted look. To help you get started strengthening your legs, I compiled a list of some of my favourite exercises you should start doing (I'm a NASM-certified trainer so you're in good hands).
Please don't do all 17 exercises in one workout. I will be extremely shocked if you do and you will be very sore. Instead, choose three to six exercises to implement into a total-body strengthening workout or a lower-body strengthening workout. Now that we've got that out of the way, get ready to work your legs with the exercises ahead.
Start with a loaded barbell; 75 pounds is a great starting point. Beginners should start with just the barbell and gradually add weight as they become familiar with the movement.
Position your hands about shoulder-width apart on the barbell, and lightly grip the bar with an overhand grip.
Step in front of the rack, and rest the bar on your trapezius muscles (the muscle closest to your neck/upper back).
With your feet about hip-distance apart, lift the barbell off the rack. Take one to two steps backwards.
Shift your weight back into your heels. Brace your abs as you begin to lower into a squat, keeping your head and spine in a neutral position. Your knees should be as close to 90 degrees as possible. Hold for one second.
With your core still braced, drive through your heels to stand back up. Be sure to squeeze your glutes at the top of your squat. That's one rep.
Before getting started, add weight to the machine. 25-35 pound plates on each side is a good starting point. If this is too heavy or too light feel free to adjust the weight.
Sit on the seat and place your feet hips-width apart on the footplate.
Once your feet are in place, press the footplate with both feet as you simultaneously disengage the safety latches on the side of the seat with your hands.
With your feet still on the footplate, bend your knees letting the footplate come toward your body. Once your knees are at a 90-degree angle, press the footplate up and straighten your legs. Be sure not to lock your knees.
This counts as one rep.
Once you've completed a set, press the footplate and engage the safety latches.
Stand with your feet together. Take a controlled lunge (or large step) backward with your left foot.
As you lunge back with your left foot, drive your left arm forward to maintain your balance.
Lower your hips so that your right thigh (front leg) becomes parallel to the floor and your right knee is positioned directly over your ankle. Keep your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle and pointing toward the floor. Your left heel should be lifted.
From the ground, drive your left knee up, coming into a standing position with your left leg lifted at a 90-degree angle. Simultaneously drive your right arm up to maintain your balance.
If it's too hard to come into the knee drive from the lunge, step your left foot in to meet your right, then raise your left knee up.
This is considered one rep.
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7Romanian Deadlift
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Stand holding a pair of medium-weight dumbbells in each hand, arms at your sides, with your knees slightly bent.
Keeping your arms straight and knees slightly bent, slowly bend at your hip joint (not your waist) and lower the weights as far as possible without rounding your back, which should remain straight.
Now squeeze your glutes to slowly pull yourself up (don't use your back). This counts as one rep.
Load the hex bar with the weight of your choice. If you're new to the move, start by just using the bar without any additional weight.
Stand in the centre of the hex bar with your feet hip width apart.
Bend at your hips and knees as you grab the handles of the hex bar. Raise your hips up slightly, keeping your back flat, to create tension in the back of your legs (your hamstrings will feel tight).
Keeping your back flat and shoulders relaxed, drive your heels through the ground as you stand straight up.
Squeeze your glutes at the top of the lift to ensure you get full hip extension.
Continue to grasp the handles as you lower the weight to the ground with control. Be sure to keep your chest open and your back flat. This counts as one rep.
Stand upright, feet together, with 10-pound dumbbells at your side. Take a controlled step forward with your left leg, lowering your hips toward the floor by bending both knees to 90-degree angles. Your back knee should point toward but not touch the ground, and your front knee should be directly over your ankle.
Press your left heel into the ground, and push off with your right foot to bring your right leg forward, stepping with control into a lunge on the other side. This completes one repetition.
Grab a medium to heavy dumbbell; 20 pounds is a great starting point. You can also do this exercise using just your bodyweight.
On your mat, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Be sure to keep your feet underneath your knees, not in front. Place the dumbbell on top of your lower abdominals (below your belly button and above your hip bones). Hold the dumbbell in place with both hands to prevent it from moving.
Raise your hips up to the ceiling, tensing your abs and squeezing your butt as you do. You should be making a long diagonal line with your body, from shoulders to knees.
Hold for three seconds, making sure your spine doesn't round and your hips don't sag. Keep your abs and butt muscles engaged.
Lower down to the ground; this is considered one rep.
Start by lying face down on the hamstring curl machine. The pad of the machine should be on the back of your legs at the bottom of your calves.
Keeping your body flat on the bench, lightly grasp the handles near the front to stabilise your upper body. Bend your knees to bring your heels toward your glutes, stopping once your knees have reached a 90-degree angle. Hold for one second.
If you're a beginner, you can do this exercise without weight. For more advanced levels, grab a set of dumbbells. Ten pounds is a good starting point.
Hold a dumbbell in each hand, and stand tall.
Engage your core and keep your spine neutral as you begin to hinge at your hips, pushing your hips backward. At the same time, lift your left leg off the ground. Be sure to keep your left foot dorsiflexed (don't point your toes). Continue to hinge at your hips until your back is parallel to the ground; your leg should be in line with your back. Your back should be flat, and your head/neck should be in a neutral position.
Return to your standing position without placing your left foot on the ground. Once you're upright, drive your left knee up, creating a 90-degree angle at your knee joint. Your left foot should still be dorsiflexed. Be sure to stay tall and keep your core engaged throughout the entire movement. This counts as one rep.
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13Goblet Squat
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Stand with your feet wider than shoulder width with toes pointed slightly out. Hold your dumbbell at chest level with both hands. Keeping your back flat, push your hips back, bend your knees, and lower your body until your thighs are parallel to the floor and your elbows touch your knees.
With your weight focussed in your heels, push yourself up to the starting position. This counts as one rep.
Select a medium-to-heavy kettlebell; 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) should be a good start, but feel free to go lighter or heavier. There should be about half a foot of space in between your feet.
With your core engaged and your back flat, grip the handle of the kettlebell with both hands, holding it in front of you with your arms fully extended.
Engage your core as you shift your hips backward, like you are going to sit in a chair, lowering the kettlebell down to the ground. Be sure not to round your back.
Still engageing your core, drive through your heels and squeeze your glutes as you lift up.
Start facing the anchor point with the straps at mid-length and your hands on the handles.
Step back so that there's no slack on the suspension trainer.
With your feet about hips-width apart, lift your right leg off the ground.
With your arms fully extended and tension on the suspension trainer, lower down into a squat. Be sure to keep your weight shifted back on your heels while maintaining a neutral spine. Your arms should be extended throughout the entire movement.
Drive your left heel through the ground as you come into a standing position. There should be a slight bend at your left knee. Be sure not to pull yourself up with your arms. Instead, push yourself up with your leg. This completes one rep.
