I don’t know about you, but I love lower body work. Good thing, because you NEED to challenge those lower body muscles for a strong body, better back, improved posture and to just plain give your seat a lift. {See 4 reasons you need to get your glutes in gear.)
Seeing as in the thighs, butt, and hips we find the largest muscles of the body, maybe that’s why when we give them a focused, intense challenge there is an immediate connection with strength and shape.
It’s almost a guarantee: feeling lumpy, and low energy? Snap out some lower body work and in a few seconds you are ready to literally spring into action!
Not only that, but when you really challenge these large muscles big time, you get about the best calorie burn possible during – and even after – your workout.
Here’s one of the all-time bests for building great muscle density and shape in the lower body.
But take care to watch the video and pay attention to important form and alignment details! They are critical for:
~ preventing injury and “owies”
~ maximizing body shaping properties (note posture, alignment of knees, activation of abdominal wall)
Unless you have contraindications for this exercise, such as knee injury, you can work this successfully into your rotation for building lower body strength and shape and giving the backyard – the butt or “booty” especially – a nice lift.
And if you are already doing squats, this lunge is a great move to work into your lower body exercise rotation.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H after!
An essential component of muscle shaping and strengthening is stretching. Take time after this split lunge to stretch quadriceps and hamstrings.
And of course, always warm up first!
Hello Lani,
Every bit of info you put up about lower body shaping I just eat up. It’s made a difference in my shape, no doubt about it! Knowing how to (as u say) “play safe w/weights” is very helpful.
Do you do all of these exercises every week? I want to contact you to work up a schedule for myself. Shall I just send you an email?
cher
Hey Cher,
Oh goodie I’m glad you likey!
I don’t do all of the exercises I’ve posted every week, though sometimes many of them mix up great in a superset series. I enjoy a variety of body shaping and strengthening techniques so I like to share about it all! Especially what has brought me benefit.
And paying attention to how you execute moves makes a big difference in RESULTS which is why I like to detail that as well.
To contact me for a consult or some private training (webcam is very popular, too!) just pop up to “Contact” in the navigation menu below the banner at the top of the page and send a quick message.
Thanks for coming by to comment Cher, I appreciate it!
Talk soon,
Lani
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hi Jenny,
Thanks so much for your thoughts and I’m glad you are enjoying my blog.
I appreciate that you took the time to introduce yourself, too!
Lani