Exercise Tips To Lose Flabby Thighs

Flabby thighs can be toned with several targeted exercises that you can do at home or at the gym. However, understand that "spot reduction" is a myth and specific isolated exercises will only strengthen and sculpt the muscles. Fat deposits or flab has to be burned off with some form of aerobic exercise, such as power walking, swimming, aerobic dance or in-line skating. To tone at home, you will need a set of dumbbells and a pair of 3 to 5 lb. ankle weights.

Grand Plie Squats

One of the reasons ballerinas have amazing thighs is because they perform plie style squats all day long. To perform this exercise, hold one dumbbell in each hand, placing them at the top of your thighs. Stand up tall, with your legs wide and your knees and feet turned out. Squeeze your buttocks muscles up and in and tilt your pelvis. Slowly lower your butt until your thighs are parallel to the floor or form a 90-degree angle to your shins. Continue to squeeze your upper thighs and glutes and return to starting position without locking your knees out. Perform two sets of 15 to 20 repetitions with a one-minute rest between.

Triple Dip Walking Lunges

Walking lunges target all of the muscles in your thighs, as well as your glutes. If you want a challenge, hold one dumbbell in each hand, arms hanging by your sides. Stand at the end of a long hall or path with feet shoulder width apart and upper body straight and tall. Lunge out with your right leg until your front and back knee are bent in a 90-degree angle. Your knee should be directed toward and lined up over your second toe. Your back heel will be lifted off the floor. At the lowest part of the lunge, perform three deep isometric contractions of your buttocks and thigh muscles. Return your right leg next to the left. Now lunge forward with your left leg and repeat the movement. If performing your lunges to music, the count is lunge right, 2, 3 and close, lunge left, 2, 3 and close. Depending on how long the hall is, try for two to three passes of walking lunges.

Roller Blade The Flab Away

One of the best fat-burning exercises that also targets your upper thigh muscles is in-line skating. Not only does in-line skating burn about 285 calories in 30 minutes but the motion of skating uses all of the muscles in the thighs. If you are a first-time skater, try your wheels out in the grass or on carpet before you hit the pavement. To protect yourself from injury, wear elbow, knee and wrist protective gear as well as a helmet.

Lying "V" Criss Cross Exercise

The lying "V" exercise is an exercise to target your thighs while you are watching television or reading a book. Put your ankle weights on and lay down on your back. Start with your legs together extended straight up toward the ceiling and lined up with your hip joints (90-degree angle to your torso). Slowly open your legs to a wide "V" position, keeping your feet flexed and your knees as straight as possible. Bring the legs back together and criss-cross your right ankle in front of your left and then open back to the wide "V". Close and criss-cross again, this time your left ankle coming in front of your right. Continue the open and criss-cross pattern for 20 to 25 repetitions, rest for 30 to 60 seconds and perform a second set.