Leg Exercises - Build muscle or tone up for sleek sexy thighs.

Leg exercises should be a very important part of your workout. Let's face it. Our legs are one of the most important parts of our body. That's why we should take care of them by doing the proper leg exercises to develop strength and balance. The following exercises will help you develop strong hamstrings, defined calves, and toned thighs.

By developing your leg muscles, you decrease the stress you put on your joints. Also, your leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body. Think of how many extra calories you can burn by turning them into calorie consuming workhorses.

For those of us with bad knees, I have provided some modifications to make things less stressful on your joints. If at any time you feel pain doing an exercise, stop.

Again, I am not setting reps on these leg exercises. I try to get you to push yourself to do as many reps as possible in a given time frame. I usually try for 1 minute, but start at 30 seconds if this is new for you.

See our leg exercises to increase vertical jump site if you are an athlete looking to jump higher.

Forward Lunges

With hands by your side or on your hips, step forward into a lunge. Make sure your knee does not go past your ankle.

If you have knee issues, do not go down as low into your lunges.

Side Lunges

Same as above, just step out at a 45 degree angle. Switch legs.

Squats

With hands stretched in front of you and legs shoulder width apart, bend your knees. Then come back up to standing position.

Do not lean forward as you come down. Try to keep your back as straight as possible.

If you have bad knees, to not dip down so low into your squat.

One-Legged Lunge

Place one leg on a chair or coffee table and stretch the other in front of you. Bend your knee to lower you body. Make sure your knee does not go past your ankle. Switch legs.

Jump Squats

Like regular squats, except when you come up, lift your hands into the air and jump. The more height you get the harder.

Moving Lunge

Great exercise. Great Burn. Get into a lunge position. Have your front foot extended forward a bit so your knee is behind your ankle. Then lean your body forward coming up on your back toe and placing your knee over you ankle. Switch Legs.

Calve Raises

There are three exercises for this. First your toes will be pointed in. Second your toes will be pointing straight ahead. Last, your toes will be pointing out.

You can do these with or without weights. I recommend doing each exercise for 10-15 reps at regular speed. Then doing 10 reps at explosive speed.

Hill Sprints

If it's a nice day and you are looking to do your leg exercises outside, Hill Sprints are the way to go. Your legs will burn with this exercise.

Find a nice hill and simply sprint up it. Walk back down and sprint up it again.

Wall Squats

Lean against a wall and bend your knees so your thighs are at a 90 degree angle with your body.

If you want more of a challenge, try one-legged wall squats.