5 Simple and Uplifting Resistance Band Leg Exercises for You
Want to give your leg work out a boost without any hassle? You’re in the right place! We’ve put together 5 simple and uplifting resistance band leg exercises that are easy to do and will make your workouts more enjoyable. These exercise helps in building strong and health hips and knees as well as targeting your lower back muscles, etc. They are perfect for adding a bit of fun and strength to your routine.
5 Legs Transforming Exercises Using Resistance Bands
- Squat and Abduction
Targets: Quads, glutes, hamstrings, hips
Steps:
- Place the band about six inches above your knees and stand with your feet shoulder-width distance apart.
- Lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- As you reach the bottom of the squat hold, push your knees outward to activate your glutes and abductors.
- Hold this position for a few seconds, then push back through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Lateral Squat Walk
Targets: Glutes, hamstrings, quad and hip abductors
Steps:
- Place the band about six inches above your knees. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips to create tension across the band.
- Bend your knees to lower down into a loaded squat position. Weight in heels, chest up.
- Hold this loaded squat position as you take two lateral steps to your right; stretching the band as far as you can.
- Tap your left foot in, bringing it towards your right foot, maintaining a low squat position.
- Then, step out with your left leg, maintaining tension across the band before bringing your right leg to the left to meet your outside foot.
- 3-Way Squat
Targets: Hamstrings, core, glutes and quads.
Steps:
- Place the band six inches above your ankle joints (around your calves).
- Standing on your right leg, step the left foot slightly in front of you and lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Push up through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Step the left leg slightly to the side, parallel with the right leg and lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Push up through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Step the left leg slightly behind you and lower your body into a squat position by bending your knees and pushing your hips back.
- Push up through your heels to return to the starting position.
- Hip Hinge and Lunge
Targets: Legs, quads, glutes, hip extension, hamstrings and lower back muscles.
Steps:
- Stand with your feet hip-width apart and place the resistance band under the sole of your front foot. Hold the other end of the band with the same hand as your front foot.
- Hinge forward from your hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
- As you hinge forward, simultaneously lift your back leg off the ground, extending it straight behind you.
- Once you have reached a comfortable range of motion, reverse the movement and bend your knee to lower into a lunge. Keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
- Push back up through your front foot to return to the starting position, holding the resistance band in the same hand.
- Banded Glute Bridge and Band Open
Targets: Hamstring, glute and hip abductor muscles.
Steps:
- Place the band about six inches above your knees and lie on your back, arms straight at your sides, feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Your feet should be about six inches in front of your glutes as the father your feet are from your glutes the more you work the hamstrings.
- Engage your core and tuck your pelvis toward the ceiling. Then squeeze your glutes as you drive through your heels to lift your hips off the floor.
- Hold at the top of the glute bridge for a moment and drive your knees out towards your pinky toes to activate your outer glutes, opening the band (knees wider than hips).
- With control return your knees back in alignment with your hips.
- Then lower your hips with control back down to the hover position and repeat this movement.
- Keep constant tension on the band throughout this movement.
You might also want to check out this previous post.
5 Easy and Thrilling Resistance Band Exercises for You