Toned and Tight Tuesday: Single Leg Squat

I've got a move for you today that I just recently added into my own workout! It is pretty advanced but will really tone your thighs and butt!

It's been another one of "those" weeks/weekends/months...super busy! So once again, I magically became a tall, blonde model for these pictures! :P

Single Leg Squat:

You will start by balancing on one leg, bending the other slightly behind you. Lower yourself down as far as possible, keeping your back straight and then come back up.  That's one rep. Aim for 8-10 on each leg.

This is a pretty intense move! To modify it and make it a bit easier, you can hold on to a chair or bar in front of you. To make it even harder, throw your lifted leg straight out in front of you and do the same thing and you've just done a pistol squat! If you can do that, you are hot shiznit! :)

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Toned and Tight Tuesday: Stability Ball Ab Pass

Today I've got an exercise that is going to work your entire core and inner and outter thighs! Using a stability ball really intensifies this exercise although you could do it with a medicine ball, basketball, volleyball, or nothing at all. Having to hold the ball between your legs really works on your inner and outter thighs though so I would suggest finding some sort of substitue if you don't have a stability ball. If doing it with a ball is too difficult for you, nix the ball and don't worry about it!

This exercise is pretty intense! The heavier the object your holding between your legs, the more intense it is! The stability ball I have pictured here is pretty light but the one I use at the gym is quite a bit heavier so it really just depends on what kind of ball you have!

Stability Ball Ab Pass:

A couple of fair warnings:

1. These pictures were taken with my iPhone.

2. There is some double-chinage going on here.

Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Start by placing the ball between your legs, lifting them so that the ball is approximately 3-4 inches off the ground. Raise your shoulders off the ground and reach your arms out behind you.

Squeezing the ball with your legs, bring your legs up to meet your hands to pass the ball from your legs to your hands.

Action shot!

Lower your legs back down so they are approximately 3-4 inches off the ground and lower you arms back behind your head with the ball. Keeping your shoulders off the ground.

That is one rep.

Repeat this action to pass the ball back to your legs.

You should now be back to the starting position. That would make 2 full reps.

Depending on how heavy your ball is, go for 12-15 reps. With the ball I use at work, I can only get about 12 reps before giving out, with this ball I can get between 15-20. Figure out what works for you but push yourself! You should feel your abs engaged the whole time and your inner and outter thighs should get a great workout as well!

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Toned and Tight Tuesday: Bulgarian Squat

It's that time of the week again! This Tuesday I have a great exercise that is going to really work your butt, thighs, basically your whole lower half! If you choose to add weights to this exercise like I have, you will really feel "the burn!" :)

Bulgarian Squat:

You will need a sturdy chair, bench, couch, some sort of sturdy piece of furniture to place your foot on.

Start by standing in front of the chair facing away from it. Take a step or two forward and bend your left leg back so that the top of your foot is resting on the chair or bench. Take a weight in each hand. I'm using 15 lb weights in each hand. You might need to use more or less depending on your fitness level.

You will then bend your right leg and drop straight down like you are doing a lunge. Keep the weights at your side and try to keep your back as straight as possible. This will require some balance so you might try a few without weights so you can get the hang of it first.

Push back up to the starting position. That is one rep. Aim for 12-15 reps. Switch legs and do the same thing with the opposite leg.

As always, go as slow as you need to maintain good form. If you try it out, let me know how it goes! :)

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