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Squats
Multitasking Move: Balancing Side Leg Lift Squat
I love combo strength-training moves that target more than one part of the body, and I also love quick moves I can throw in throughout my day, even when I'm not at the gym. This balancing booty- and thigh-toning exercise can be done while blow-drying your hair, waiting for the bus, or talking on the phone.
Music: "Oh, Atlanta," by Alison Krauss
For detailed instructions, continue reading.
Multitasking Move: Burning Squats
Strengthening your quads not only prevents injuries to your knees when running, but it also makes you stronger and faster. Not to mention, toned thighs also look great in a bathing suit. Here's a squat sequence I love to do because it instantly burns my thighs.
Minutes to a Healthier You . . .
Just because you don't have time to fit in a morning workout, doesn't mean you have to skip out entirely. Multitask while you're getting ready for work by fitting in lower body strengthening moves whenever you can. My favorite is doing sets of squats in the shower or while I'm brushing my teeth, blow-drying my hair, or waiting for my coffee to brew.
Multitasking Move: Walking Squats With Bicep Curls and Overhead Press
If toning your tush and thighs is on your mind, then you've got to get busy doing squats. They target your lower body like no other move, and just after a few repetitions you'll start feeling the burn. Here's a variation on the basic squat.
Squats vs. Elbow Planks
We all have exercises we love and exercises we work hard to avoid. I have heard complaints about both squats and elbow planks. These two exercises are workout staples for me, and I must admit I love them both.
Running Tip: Strengthen Quads With Wall Squats
If you're a runner and you want to increase your speed, build your endurance, and have the ability to tackle hills with a breeze, you need to have strong quads. Strengthening your thighs can also prevent injuries such as runner's knee. This common injury, which often happens to new runners, is tied to a combination of weak quads and tight hamstrings and calves.
Multitasking Move: Narrow Squat With Overhead Press
No exercise beats squats for toning up your lower half. It is easy to create many variations and turn this versatile move into a multitasking one. Changing the leg position of your squat is a great way to mix up your routine.
Multitasking Move: Wide Squat and Biceps
Squats are one of the best exercises you can do to strengthen and tone your quads and glutes. Here's a variation with your legs wide, and it incorporates a bicep curl to get more bang for your buck.
To learn how to do this exercise read more
Back to Basics: Dumbbell Squats
Not everyone shares my love of squats, but strong quads, hamstrings, glutes, and a lower back are essential if you're looking to run or cycle faster, as well as help prevent sports-related injuries. So going back to the basics, I want to review dumbbell squats. They are easy and effective.
Squat Options
If you're pressed for time and feel like strength training has been pushed aside, I am here to tell you that you have squat options. While adding a smattering of squats throughout your day might not be ideal, it is better than nothing.
Here are some suggestions:
- Laundry Squats: Combining two unpleasant tasks makes them both somehow sweeter.
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