Slim thighs and hips are a coveted but hard to obtain body feature. If you tend to carry extra fat or muscle in your lower body, a combination of toning and cardiovascular exercises can help to tone your legs. Instead of focusing on heavy weights and few repetitions, use light or no weights and high repetitions -- between 15 and 20 -- to get slimmer hips and legs, according to ShapeFit.com.
Stability Ball Wall Squats
These wall squats are easy to perform and require only a large plastic exercise ball -- also known as a Swiss ball. The exercise tones the hips and the front of the thighs simultaneously. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place a stability ball against the wall behind you. The top portion of the ball should rest comfortably in the small of your back. Make sure your feet are in front of your body, typically 6 to 12 inches away. Bend your legs and slowly squat. The ball should roll across your back as you do, providing support and cushioning. Stop when your thighs form a 90-degree angle with your knees. Straighten the legs to return to your starting position. Repeat 15 to 20 times, rest and perform an additional set.
Walking Lunges
Walking lunges are a variation of the standard lunge. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. You can hold a weighted exercise bar overhead or a 5 lb. dumbbell in each hand to increase the difficulty. Lunge forward with the right leg, but do not extend the knee past the ankle. Instead of returning to your starting position, rise slightly and lunge the left leg forward. Continue these walking lunges until you have performed 15 to 20. Rest for one minute, then repeat for two additional sets.
Pendulum Lift
This exercise lifts the butt, slims the thighs and tones the legs, according to Fitness magazine. To increase the difficulty of the exercise, perform while on an aerobic step, such as one used in step aerobics. Place the left foot on the step and grasp a dumbbell -- 5 lbs. is the recommended weight -- in each hand. Let the right foot hang off the step, then lean forward to lift the right leg and move the upper body forward. Ideally, you should create a near-straight line from your head to foot. Slowly return to your starting position and repeat for 15 to 20 repetitions, then switch to place the right foot on the step.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Engaging in cardiovascular workouts most days of the week is necessary for slimmer hips and thighs because cardiovascular exercise burns calories, which reduces fat layers on the legs. To keep the leg muscles lean, incorporate dancing, swimming or kickboxing into your cardiovascular routine. These exercises use the leg muscles and emphasize controlled movements to tone muscle while burning fat.
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