If you're a fan of Barry's Bootcamp, there's a good chance you may have found yourself sweating next to Julianne Hough. She's a regular at the popular fitness studio, and we were dying to know what exercises Julianne does to get those toned legs of hers. To find out, we talked to Barry's Bootcamp trainer Alycia Stevenin, who created this five-minute thigh-toning workout that's similar to the exercises done in a typical class. No equipment is needed — all you have to devote is five minutes to get it done! Alycia recommends making this workout more challenging by using eight- to 12-pound weights for the below exercises. If you don't have weights at home, use books, water bottles, or anything hefty and solid you can easily grip.
Right Side Lunge
- Start by standing with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the right with your right foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Make sure your right knee does not extend past your toes and keep your left leg relatively straight.
- Push off through your right foot to return to the start to complete one.
- Do as many right side lunges as you can in one minute.
Pulsing Right Side Lunges
- Stand with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the right with your right foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Remaining in a sideways lunge position, pulse up and down; this movement should be subtle.
- Pulse for a total of 30 seconds before returning to the start position.
Sweeping Side Lunges
- Start by standing with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the left with your left foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Make sure your left knee does not extend past your toes and keep your right leg relatively straight.
- Push off through your left foot and jump sideways toward the right and lunge towards the floor. Reverse direction by pushing through your right foot and jumping sideways toward the left, coming into a sideways lunge. This completes one rep.
- Complete as many reps as possible in one minute.
Left Side Lunge
- Start by standing with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the left with your left foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Make sure your left knee does not extend past your toes and keep your right leg relatively straight.
- Push off through your left foot to return to the start to complete one.
- Do as many left side lunges as you can in one minute.
Pulsing Left Side Lunges
- Stand with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the left with your left foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Remaining in a sideways lunge position, pulse up and down; this movement should be subtle.
- Pulse for a total of 30 seconds before returning to the start position.
Sweeping Side Lunges
- Start by standing with your feet together.
- Take a large step toward the left with your left foot and lunge toward the floor.
- Make sure your left knee does not extend past your toes and keep your right leg relatively straight.
- Push off through your left foot and jump sideways toward the right and lunge towards the floor. Reverse direction by pushing through your right foot and jumping sideways toward the left, coming into a sideways lunge. This completes one rep.
- Complete as many reps as possible in one minute.
Five minutes not enough? Really get your sweat on by pairing this thigh workout with our Barry's Bootcamp treadmill session [1]!