GET A LEG UP

Squats produce great gains.

She’s got legs, and she knows how to use them. That’s right, proper leg exercises will result in healthy, beautiful legs that may conjure up memories of an old ZZ Top song. Leah Ginn, director of operations at MVP Sports Club, demonstrates some basic leg exercises.

Squat With Hip Abduction

Set position: Start with feet hip-width apart, toes pointed forward.

Sink down into your heels for the squat.

As you come up, lift the right leg out to the side, keeping in mind that right knee and toes will stay facing forward.

Come back to set position and repeat on the left side.

Complete 10-20 repetitions on each side.

Forward Alternating Lunges

Set position: Start with feet together.

Step forward with left foot. Sinking into front heel, bend both knees to a comfortable range of motion. (Back heel will lift off floor.)

Push back with right foot and return to set position.

Repeat on left side.

Complete 10-20 repetitions on each side.

‘ASSISTED’ SINGLE-LEG SQUAT

Set position: Left foot is on the floor and right foot is elevated behind you (on a curb, step, bench, etc.)

Keep majority of your body weight in the left leg, squat down to a comfortable range of motion by sinking into the heel of your left foot.

Keep hips and butt back as if you were sitting down in a chair.

Pressing through the heel, come back to set position.

Complete 10-20 repetitions and repeat on the left side.