You do it at least twice a day, maybe more, so why not make the most of those two short minutes? Instead of just standing there waiting for the time to pass, do this quickie butt-and-thigh workout. Although it's only four moves, doing them intensely for 30 seconds each without a break offers an effective little workout in a short amount of time. After you try it, you'll never be able to stand still while brushing your teeth again.
Sumo Squat
- Stand with your feet wide, toes pointing out. Bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply, so your thighs are parallel with the floor. Make sure to keep your weight back in your heels.
- Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely and squeezing the glutes at the top of the movement to get the most from the exercise.
- Do as many squats as you can for 30 seconds.
Alternating Reverse Lunge
- Stand with feet together. Take a controlled lunge (or large step) backward with your left foot.
- Lower your hips so that your right thigh (front leg) becomes parallel to the floor and your right knee is positioned directly over your ankle. Keep your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle and pointing toward the floor. Your left heel should be lifted.
- Step the left foot in, and lunge back with the right foot.
- Continue alternating for 30 seconds.
Basic Squat With Side Leg Lift
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart, feet parallel. Bend your knees, lowering your hips deeply, so your thighs are parallel with the floor, keeping your weight back in your heels.
- Then rise back up, straightening the legs completely and lifting the right leg out to the side, squeezing the outer glute.
- As you step the foot back into shoulder-width distance position, squat down again. Then stand up and do a side leg lift on the left side. Lower the leg back to the starting position.
- This counts as one rep. Complete as many as you can for 30 seconds.
Glute Kick Backs
- Stand with feet together. Put weight in your left leg, and raise the right leg behind you.
- Pulse it back for 15 seconds, lower the leg, and do 15 more with the left leg.