Workout Wednesday: Tone Legs with 2 Steps

Summertime travel can make it difficult to stick to your usual workout regime. Luckily, today’s exercise is one you can do to help tone legs anytime and anywhere! The pictures below were taken above Sarajevo, while on a family vacation to visit my relatives back home in Bosnia.

Benefits: This balancing exercise helps strengthen your glutes, quads, and calf muscles while working your foot and ankle muscles. It also challenges your core and back muscles.

Step 1

Start standing straight, legs hip width apart. Extend one leg straight behind you until your upper body is aligned with the leg. Pull your abs in and lengthen your spine, reaching both directions (imagine someone is pulling you from the top of your head and the end of your heal). It’s very important to keep your hips parallel to the floor.

Step 2

Bend and strengthen standing leg, while holding position from the step 1. Repeat 10 times, then switch legs and start over.

Honest Tip: If needed, it’s okay to hold on to a wall or chair to help you balance.

~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.