How to Get Rid of Flabby Outer Thighs

Those unwanted saddlebags that gather around our hips and thighs seem to linger no matter how hard we try. Want to send them packin’? Try these exercises, either at home, at the gym, or in the park.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Ankle weights

1. Leg lifts: Strap on ankle weights (start with 5 pounds or less), and lie down on one side with your bottom leg bent at the knee and your top leg fully extended. Lift your top leg about a foot off the ground, and then slowly lower it until your toe almost touches the floor. Repeat 15 to 20 times, then switch to the other leg. Work up to three sets for each leg.
2. Sweep Kick: This one’s great if you’ve got some pent-up anxiety, too. Assume a boxer's stance, with your hands in front of your chin, elbows at your sides, left foot forward and right foot a few inches back, knees slightly bent. Balancing on your left leg, lift your right knee up and kick your foot straight out, "sweep" it around to the side, then back to the floor. Keep your abs tight. Repeat 15 to 20 times with each leg.
3. Inline Skating: Rollerblading works your thighs, and the lower you squat, the more you’ll work them. Push out to the side with each stroke, not down or back, to work your outer thighs. You can try a similar motion on a slide board at the gym. Shoot for a series of 1-minute sprints, with a 1-minute recovery between each.