Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
Fitness

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight butt

10-minute workout: Get ready to rock those bikinis and minis! Build a better lower body with these super-toning exercises for lean legs.
Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight butt

Photo by Roberto Caruso

Lean legs, tight butt

10-minute workout

The plan: Do our four moves three times a week to see more definition in a month or less. For fast results, add 20 minutes of cardio.

You need: hand weights

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight buttPhoto by Roberto Caruso

Squat, lunge curl

Stand with legs hip-width apart, weight in hands. Lower into a squat with a straight back. Return to standing, then lunge forward. Stand back up and bring opposite foot toward glutes while curling hands toward shoulders. Do 12 reps. Alternate legs each time.

Perfect your form: Keep lunging knee in line with heel.

Advertisement

Dial it down: Place hands on hips for extra stability.

Amp it up: Increase reps.

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight buttPhoto by Roberto Caruso

Duck and pigeon raise

Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes facing forward. Rise onto toes and hold for two counts. Repeat with toes pointed outward. Repeat again with toes pointed inward. Do three sets of 12 reps. 

Perfect your form: Keep core engaged, legs straight, and quads actively flexed.

Advertisement

Dial it down: Hold back of chair for balance. 

Amp it up: Do bicep curls each time you press up.

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight buttPhoto by Roberto Caruso

Sumo squat and reach

Stand with legs slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out and arms hanging down in front. Lower into a squat until you feel tension in your inner thighs. Press up onto tiptoes and jump, bringing arms overhead. Do three sets of 10 reps. 

Perfect your form: Don't let knees extend beyond toes in the squat.

Advertisement

Dial it down: Skip the jump. 

Amp it up: Squat deeper.

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight buttPhoto by Roberto Caruso

Squat and lunge punch

Squat with feet together and arms bent at chest. Punch one arm forward. Step back into a lunge, punching opposite arm forward. Press into front heel to return to standing. Switch sides and repeat. Do 10 to 12 reps.

Perfect your form: Keep back straight, hips facing forward and head up.

Advertisement

Dial it down: Do fewer reps or skip the lunge sequence.

Amp it up: Hold weights.

Download now: Download our free 10-minute Fitness iPad App for more great workouts. For more 10-minute workouts click here.

Four easy exercises for lean legs and a tight buttPhoto by Roberto Caruso

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.