Slimmer thighs require a combination of a healthy diet and exercise. While you can't lose weight in just one area of your body, you can tone muscles to help reveal slimmer thighs as the weight drops off. Focus your exercise on your thighs to help them appear slimmer, remembering that an overall approach provides a healthy balance.
Lunges
Lunges provide a great workout to your entire thigh. They work the back of the leg, which is called the hamstring, and the front of the thigh, which is called the quadriceps. They can be done in any number of a variety of positions to target your butt, hips and thighs.
To try a basic lunge, stand with your feet facing forward, shoulder-width apart. Step forward with one leg in a wide stance. Drop your body down, so that your rear knee almost touches the floor. Stand up to complete one repetition. Complete 12 repetitions and switch legs. Focus on completing three sets.
Note a few key things on form: Your knee needs to stay behind your front toes to avoid joint problems, and your core needs to remain engaged to protect your back.
For variety, try stepping one foot in alignment with the other and keeping a wide stance. This "balance beam" lunge targets your gluteus medius, helping tone your bottom. Try also rising only halfway up before dropping back down to give your thighs an intense workout. As you become stronger, add hand weights to increase the challenge.
Squats
The squat is a deceptively simple exercise. It works your hamstrings, gluteal muscles and quadriceps.
To complete a squat, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Sit back as if you're expecting to sit on chair. Once your thighs are parallel to the floor, stand up again. That's one repetition; aim for 12 repetitions and complete three sets.
One note on form, do not let your knees extend in front of your toes as this can lead to issues with your knee joints. In addition, keep your core tight to support your back.
To add variety, try raising up only halfway before dropping down to parallel again. Try also dropping to a count of four, and raising to a count of four to increase the challenge. Last, add hand weights to make the squat more effective at slimming your thighs.
Cardio Machine
If you have access to cardio machines at the gym, it can help slim your thighs. Since you need to lose overall body fat to help reveal the muscles of your thighs, you need to incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your gym routine.
If you don't have access to a gym, try running on your local trail. If running isn't an option for you, try walking for 30 minutes every day. As your fitness level increases, add a light jog. Move to running as your body feels comfortable. Walking, running and jogging all use your leg muscles extensively, making slimmer thighs a closer goal.
If you do have access to a gym, add a treadmill workout, starting with 30 minutes of walking, and moving to a light jog and running. If you prefer, try the stair stepper or elliptical to add a cardiovascular workout that also uses your thigh muscles extensively.
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