Workout Wednesday: 10 Minute Leg Lifts

If you’ve got 10 minutes, you’ve got time to work towards toning up your legs. Today’s Workout Wednesday specifically targets and helps strengthen your legs, glutes, and hamstrings. It’s also an easy one to adapt to your personal skill level. 

Step 1

Position your hands under your shoulders and set your knees under your hips. Make sure your head is aligned with your spine. Engage your abdominal muscles and lengthen your spine all the way from the top of your head to your tailbone.

Step 2

Extend one leg out, pointing your toes. Kick your leg up, then lower down. Repeat 20 times.

Step 3

Return to the initial body positioning. With your thigh parallel to the floor, bend at the knee and extend. Repeat 20 Times.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1-3 with your opposite leg.

Step 5

Sit back and rest in “child’s pose.” This step can also be done before switching legs, to stretch and briefly rest your hips between sets.

Honest Tip: Make sure that you keep your weight evenly distributed between your upper body and legs. Try not to sink into the hip that is supporting the leg that is on the mat. Keep your spine long and abdominals engaged throughout.

~Leila, FitPilates

Leila Cunningham is a Certified Pilates Instructor based in Los Angeles, California. When she isn’t sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates at her studio, she’s spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. For more fitness tips and easy exercises, check out her YouTube channel.

This post is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for health advice. Before undertaking any course of exercise, you should seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider.