Shape your body at home with toning exercises. Increase your muscular strength and see definitive results when you practice your fitness routine regularly. Add a stability ball, a resistance band and some dumbbells to your workout for variety and faster results. You may need to consult a health professional before starting a toning exercise program.
Biceps with a Resistance Band
Tone your biceps with this resistance band exercise you can do at home from Stanford University. Sit on the edge of a chair that enables you to place your feet flat on the ground. Place the middle of your resistance band under both feet --- use only one foot for less resistance. Grab the ends of the resistance band, arms extended by your sides with the palms facing forward. Bend your arms toward your shoulders and back to the original position while counting to four. Repeat two or three sets with 10 to 15 repetitions.
Core Muscles on the Stability Ball
Tone your core muscles for flat abs on your stability ball with this exercise from Olympian Dara Torres. Lay your hips on top of the ball with your hands on the floor. Walk your hands out in front of you until your ankles reach the top of the ball and you are in plank position. This means your hands are shoulder with apart, your neck is straight --- but relaxed --- and your torso lines up with your ankles. Draw your knee into your chest, hold for 3 seconds and straighten your leg without resting it on the ball. Do five to 10 repetitions for each side.
Yoga for Hips and Thighs
Tone your hips and thighs with the yoga pose called cobra as suggested by ACE Fitness. Lie face down with your toes pointed and your butt muscles relaxed. Bend your arms and place your hands next to your shoulders; palms down. Lift your upper body until your ribcage is off the floor by pushing your palms and all five fingers into the floor. Hold for five deep breaths, rest 30 seconds and repeat one or two more times.
Dumbbell Squats
Tone your whole body with this home exercise that uses dumbbells for quicker results, as recommended by ACE Fitness. Stand with your feet a bit more than hip distance apart, knees slightly bent and toes facing forward. With dumbbells in hand, bend your elbows in tight to your body with your pinky fingers facing the front of the room. Sit down as if in a chair to execute the squat and stand back up while counting to six. Guard against knee strain and do not allow your knees to move forward past your toes. Perform six to 12 repetitions for up to three sets with a 90 second rest between sets.
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