Coach Becky's 4 favorite exercises for buns of steel

Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 by CoachBecky It's getting close to bathing suit weather. Time to "shore up" our lower body! Here are four of my favorite exercises to tone your hips and thighs. Add these to your current strength workout 2-3 times a week, and you'll notice firmer buns and thighs in 4 to 5 weeks!

Step-ups 1

Put one foot on a bench or a porch step. Pushing off from the foot that is on the bench or step, straighten your leg until you are standing on top of the bench or step with that foot.
Step-ups 2

Really contract your rear end muscles when you straighten your leg. Lower yourself back down and repeat with the same foot.
Plie squat 1

Stand tall with your feet wider than hip width apart, and feet slightly turned out. Lower your hips until your thighs are almost parallel to the ground.
Plie squat 2

Squeeze your inner thigh muscles, press into the ground with your heels and straighten the legs back up to the starting position.
Russian deadlift 1

Stand tall with your feet about hip width apart. Keep your shoulder blades back on your ribs and look straight ahead. Hold dumbbells or a medicine ball in front of your thighs.
Russian deadlift 2

Keeping knees slightly bent, bend forward from your hips until your upper body is almost parallel with the ground. Contract your rear end muscles and return to an upright position.
Stability ball hamstring curl 1

Lie on your back with your feet on a stability ball. Lift your hips off the ground.
Stability ball hamstring curl 2

Bend your knees and pull your feet toward your rear end. Slowly straighten your legs and return to the starting position.