The best squat workouts will do wonders for your legs, buttocks, thighs and quadriceps. The group exercise classes I’ve been going to concentrate heavily on the squat as a means for toning and building the legs. I’ve mentioned before that the classes I attend are predominantly filled with women. It’s rather interesting that when guys hit the gym their focus is on arms and chest. Women hit the gym and their focus tends to be on the legs and buttocks. I prefer a full body approach but since most of the activities I enjoy outside of the gym involve my legs (i.e. cycling) these fitness classes suit me just fine.

Anyway, given that the classes are taught by women and they are filled mostly with women it stands to reason the exercises focus heavily on the areas that they deem important. And frankly I’m getting the best leg workout I’ve ever gotten. The first batch of exercises (following a warmup) is the standard squat. Simply put the weight behind your neck, make sure to keep the weight centered and on your heels and bend at the legs and not with your back. For 6-8 minutes pure pain develops, depending on how much weight you choose to work with. I have been able to increase my muscle endurance quite a lot over the last two months. The squat exercises vary in speed. “down in 1, up in 3, down in 4, hold, up in two…”And on and on it goes until your legs are quivering mass of goo.

Now I have been introduced to another squat technique. The plie squat. Quite insidious. Women love it since they are concerned with their inner thighs. I’ve never been concerned about my inner thigh. The movement is the same except that your toes are pointed out and your knees stay aligned with your toes. So the movement involves you squeezing the buttocks upwards as well as your inner thigh. I’ve gotten used to it and am certain I will look fabulous in my swimsuit by summer.

It’s a grueling exercise. Made even tougher because the lunge is added in for kicks. Plie squats for a time, then turn left and perform a few sets of “down in 1, up in 3, down in 2, up in 2, singles…” lunges. Then turn to the front to do more plie. hen turn to the right and will yourself to do more lunges with the other leg.

I’m guessing those women, and guys for that matter who stick it out, are going to be pleased come June when they put on their shorts, skirts and swimsuits. The exercises are killer.