Shapely thighs enhance your appearance in everything from skinny jeans to bikinis, but not everyone is born with naturally skinny thighs. If you'd like to trim your thighs, adding a few extra steps to your regular workout regimen can help you get the toned, slim thighs you really want. Though you can't spot tone your thighs, a combination of overall fat burning combined with toning specific muscles can give you good results, says Jason Mundy, fitness manager at The Sports Club/LA in New York City.
Step 1
Do at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity, such as walking or biking, every day, and incorporate intervals -- short, two- to three-minute bursts of high-intensity running or pedaling or a steep hill. Aerobic exercise is the most effective way to burn fat.
Step 2
Work the muscles at the back of your thighs by doing bent-knee extensions. Lie on your back with your knees bent pointing straight up, and prop your heels on a stability ball so that they're about a shoulder-width apart. Lift your hips toward the ceiling for a count of three, remembering to breathe, then lower and repeat eight to 10 times.
Step 3
Work your entire leg, including your thigh, with a one-legged squat. Stand with your feet a shoulder-width apart, then bend one knee slightly, raising the opposite from the floor so that you're balancing on one foot. Reach forward with both arms, and lower your body into a sitting position, keeping your hips level. Hold for a count of three, then return to your starting position. Repeat 10 to 12 times with each leg.
Step 4
Target your inner thigh muscles by doing scissor kicks. Lie flat on the floor with your arms relaxed at your sides and your palms facing the floor. Slowly lift your legs so that they are at about a 45-degree angle to the floor, then scissor them back and forth, moving your right thigh over your left thigh and then your left thigh over your right. Do 10 to 12 scissors on each side.
Things You'll Need
- Stability ball
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