My Legs Workout!

I love seeing what other people are doing in their workouts and seeing what works for them, so I figured I would write about mine. I'll probably eventually post all my workouts, but I figured I would start with something super popular right now, which is legs! Everyone is trying to get that amazing hourglass figure, while still being toned. Personally, my inspirations have been Alexa Jean Brown and Cally Clarice Breaux, both incredibly beautiful women and are so dedicated to working out.

Cally Clarice

Alexa Jean

So here's my workout routine:

Squats - 4X8-12

I always start with squats and the main thing I have been working on lately is going really low and slowing upping me weight while still maintaining form. Of course everyone loves squats, they work pretty much everything, mainly your quadriceps, but also your calves, glutes, hamstrings and lower back.  I usually do four sets of 8-12 reps. 

Straight Leg (or "Stiff Legged") Deadlifts - 3X8-12

This mainly works your hamstrings, but also your glutes and lower back. The first few times I did this I really felt it in my lower back! If you aren't completely sure how to do this, make sure to look it up on bodybuilding.com to make sure you do it correctly. It is important to keep your legs and back straight.

Barbell Hip Thrusts - 4X15

For these you may feel really awkward at first, but honestly it is so worth it! This works the glutes mainly, but also the calves and hamstrings. It really helps to squeeze your glutes at the top, I usually use a 70 lb barbell, but starting I used 40 lb. And once again if you aren't sure how to do this look it up on bodybuilding.com 

Leg Press - 3X6-8

For these I like to go really heavy, which makes you really feel the burn! When I started with these it was super hard and honestly I was not too fond of them, but I really think these are what made my thighs look the way they do now, so it is worth the pain. 

Dumbbell Lunges - 3X8-12

These are my least favourite thing ever, I honestly could not hate an exercise more, but they are necessary and I force myself to do them (most of the time). This is another one of those exercises that works just about everything, it mainly works the quads, but also calves, glutes and hamstrings. When doing lunges I started by using two 20 pound dumbbells, but honestly it is different for everyone, one girl I started working out with had never done them and couldn't even use ten pound dumbbells, so it really is about your own practice and doing what it right for you and working your way up! 

Donkey Kicks - 4X10-12

These are my favourite, I love these, they mainly work the glutes, but also the hamstrings. When kicking make sure to hold the contraction in your glutes at the top and stay in that position for a couple seconds to get the best results. 

Calve Raises - 3X30

For this I take two 30 lb dumbbells, but once again use a smaller weight when starting out and slowly up it to whatever you are comfortable doing. To work my calves, while holding the dumbbells you raise you heels off the ground, standing on your toes and you repeat this motion about 10-12 times. Then, I move the top of my feet inward, with my toes facing each other making an "arrow" then do that same motion of raising my heels. Then after doing that 10-12 times, I move my feet outward with my heels touching and repeat those motions again. After that rest and do that same thing three times. If you are confused with my explanation look it up on youtube and there should be a video explaining, but any calve workout will do. I just always like to end my leg workouts with calves. 

Here's where you can find all the explanations of each exercise I mentioned and more with a video showing you exactly how to do them properly! 

BodyBuilding.com Exercises Page

Hopefully this was helpful and inspires you to change up your workout routine and try something new!Now that I have been writing about this, I feel like going to the gym!