Leg Toning Tips

Start with 2 to 3 workouts a week consisting of 1 to 2 sets of each of the following exercises, 8 to 15 reps, per leg, per set. When you can easily do 2 sets of 15 reps, either up the number of sets to 3, make the moves (except for the calf raise) more challenging by holding a weight in each hand, or try the "challenge yourself" version of the exercise.

With leg exercises, it's essential to protect your knees from injury so when you do the first three exercises, never allow the working leg go below parallel to the floor and never, ever let your knee to shoot forward of your toes. You're better off limiting the movement and using good form rather than going full range with bad, joint-compromising technique. In fact, if you have bad knees only push through the part of the movement that doesn't cause your knees -- or any other joint for that matter -- to feel crunchy or achy.

The beauty of this routine is that you don't need a gym full of fancy equipment to tone your legs to perfection. However, if you're interested in expanding your leg toning routine, try an exercise video (Tamilee Webb's 'Tight on Time Hot Spots' is a good one, www.collagevideo.com) or head for the gym and sign up for a body sculpting class that specializes in lower body moves; almost every gym has a class like this on the schedule. And, if you want to ensure you get results, be sure your routine includes plenty of cardio exercise; add in at least 30 minutes, 3 to 6 times a week of walking, running, cycling, skating -- anything that gets the heart pumping and the legs moving. Cardio work not only firms up the leg muscles, but it helps to burn fat and calories, too.

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