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Legs like Carrie Underwood, yes please!

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on December 19, 2013

Ladies have you ever wanted legs like these? I know I have!

Here are three exercises to get you started! 

Written by Alexis D’Ascenzo, Dietetic Student at The University of Illinois at Chicago, CPT

1. Squats

Proper form: Feet are shoulder width apart, head is looking forward, knees are pushing out when going down (never in), toes are pointed forward, and make sure to keep your body weight on the heels of your feet.

Tip: Start with your body weight first, and pretend you are going to sit down in a chair.

2. Lunges

Proper form: Knees will form a ninety degree angle, ensure your knees never cross over your toes, keep your back upright, avoid hitting your knees on the floor when going down, and it will help if your head is looking straight ahead.

Tip: When you are coming back to the starting position make sure you can easily stand back up, if you can’t then you may have stepped too far forward in your lunge.

3. Stiff leg deadlifts

Proper form: Your posture is crucial for this exercise! Your back and legs should remain as straight as possible throughout the entire movement. This exercise will may make your lower back sore (in a good way) since deadlifts work your lower back muscles. However, since your legs will be “stiff” (straight) your hamstrings will be in for quite a surprise the next morning too! By strengthening your lower back muscles from deadlifts, this will allow your posterior leg muscles (hamstrings, glutes. calves)  to build simultaneously.

Tip: Keep the weight (if you’re using any) extremely close to your body as if you can almost scrape the surface of your skin.

Did you know leg workouts burn an abundance of calories during and after your exercise! 

Why? When you are working out legs you are targeting many large muscles at one time which require and utilize more energy faster.

Remember whenever you are learning ANY new exercise:

Form > Weight