You don't need fancy exercise equipment or an expensive gym membership to slim down your thighs. Practice a few easy moves at home in your free time and you'll tone your thigh muscles. Building muscle helps your body burn fat more easily. A total-body exercise routine will help you lose fat, gain muscle and start slimming and toning your legs.
Squats
Stand 18 inches away from a wall, facing away from the wall, then lean back so your head, shoulders, back and buttocks rest on the wall. Slowly slide down the wall, bending your knees until they make a 90-degree angle. Hold the pose for 30 seconds when you begin and work toward holding the pose for five minutes.
Leg Lifts
Lie on one side with your legs straight on the floor. Bend your top leg to a 45-degree angle, lifting the leg up with your toes pointing toward the floor. Keep lifting and lowering your top leg without letting it touch the floor. Do as many lifts as you can, then rest and perform two more sets before switching to the other side.
Lunges
Stand tall with your hands on your hips and your feet hip-width distance apart. Take a large step forward with your left leg so your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Let your right leg bend and bring your right heel off the ground to come into a lunge. Push off with your left leg and step back to your original position. Repeat this lunge eight times on each leg to start. Work toward 20 lunges on each side.
Yoga Moves
Work through a sun salutation to tone your thighs. Stand tall, then reach your arms up and overhead. Bend forward at the hips and bring your fingertips to the floor. Bring your torso up to form a 90-degree angle with your legs. Look forward, then release back into the forward fold. Place your palms flat on the ground, bend your knees and step your feet back into downward-facing dog. Your palms and toes should be on the ground with your hips lifted up and back toward the ceiling. Hold this position for a few breaths, then step your feet back up to meet your hands and slowly roll up to standing.
Ballet Move
Perform a plié by standing with your legs spread wide and your arms in front of your body. Point your toes outward and slowly lower down into a wide plié. Go as low as you can without letting your knees move past your toes. Tuck your tailbone as you move and keep your buttock muscles tight. Stand back up straight and repeat the move for one minute.
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