Excess fat on the top area of the thighs is a problem for many people who struggle with maintaining a physically fit physique. Slimming exercises that target the quadriceps -- the muscle of the front thighs -- can be performed with various types of fitness equipment. However, fat-burning exercises are necessary to eventually reveal the results of your hard work. Complete exercises for the tops of your thighs at least twice a week, allowing at least a full day of rest for this muscle between workouts.
Free Weights
Use two dumbbells to perform quadriceps-strengthening lunges. Hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step forward with one foot, and bend your legs until your front knee is above your toes. Alternate legs between sets or repetitions. Stand with your back to a barbell placed on the floor, bend forward at the hips, bend your knees and grasp the bar with an overhand grip. Straighten at the hips and knees to lift the bar from the floor.
Strength-Training Machines
Strength-training machines allow you to select an appropriate amount of weight and perform several thigh-toning exercises. Use a leg-press machine and choose a weight that makes it difficult to finish a full set. Extend your legs by pushing your feet on the foot plate until your legs are straightened. You can also use a leg-extension machine to strengthen your quadriceps. Extend your legs until they are parallel with the floor while seated in this machine.
Exercise Ball
Use an exercise ball to perform squats to strengthen your quadriceps by placing the ball between your back and a wall. Step forward approximately 2 feet, and lower your body toward the floor by bending your legs. Continue squatting until your legs form right angles. Add resistance to this exercise for a more effective thigh-toning workout by holding a dumbbell in each hand at your shoulders while squatting.
Cardio Machines
While these exercises help strengthen and tone your quadriceps, if you have an accumulation of fat on the front of your thighs, you should also perform cardiovascular exercise. Numerous cardiovascular machines exist to help you burn hundreds of calories an hour and blast fat from all over your body. However, choosing a machine that also requires a lot of leg work will help tone your thighs as well. Try running on a treadmill at a steep incline, or ride a stationary bicycle at a high resistance level. Stair-climbers also help tone the front of your thighs while providing a beneficial cardiovascular workout.
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