A Few Good Inner Thigh Toning Exercises

For many individuals, especially women, the inner thigh muscles are the hardest to tone due to their location. Finding targeted exercises that focus on the inner thigh muscle groups are the easiest and most effective way to tone this pesky location. By adding these exercises to your basic workout routine, you should be able to see results in just a few weeks.

Inner Thigh Firming Exercise #1

Remember that all of the muscles in your body are connected, and the work you do on one will affect the others. Always maintain proper position when completing these exercises to ensure that you do not injure yourself in the process. This first exercise targets the inner thigh muscles, one side at a time. The Body Help.com Website has an excellent exercise: "Lie on your left side with your head resting on a rolled-up towel to maintain proper alignment of your head, shoulders, and hips. Bend your right leg and rest it on the floor in front of you while extending your left leg straight with the foot. Slowly lift your left leg about six inches. Hold for a moment and then gradually lower the leg, beginning the next lift before your foot touches back down on the floor. After ten lifts, roll onto your right side and repeat. Complete two sets of 10 lifts with each leg. Two sets of 10 repetitions each is a good starting point."

The Inner Thigh Squeeze

This exercise does involve some equipment. While many people use the giant exercise balls, this can be done with any ball that you have lying around the house. The bigger the ball, the more effective the exercise. The About.com website has a good example of this exercise: "Lie down and lift the legs off the floor, placing an exercise ball (or some other type of ball) between the knees/shins. Squeeze the ball lightly to keep it from dropping and put the hands on the floor for more support. Slowly squeeze the ball, contracting the inner thighs. Release just slightly, keeping some tension on the ball. Repeat for 1-3 sets of 12-16 reps."

Inner Thigh Lift

This exercise involves some rolling around on the floor -- so make sure to have a towel or exercise mat under you to improve your comfort. Young Woman's Health outlines a good lift exercise for you to try: "Lie on your left side, flat against the floor. Rest your head on your left upper arm. Bend your right (top) leg at the knee and cross over in front of left leg. Rest your right arm on your right hip. Keep your left leg straight. Using inner thigh muscle (adductor), lift left leg 6 inches off floor. Keep left toe in flexed position (not a pointed position). Exhale (breathe out) as you lift your leg. Using resistance with the inner thigh muscle (not gravity), slowly lower your leg. Inhale (breathe in) as you lower your leg. Repeat exercise for a set of 8. Repeat entire sequence on your right side, step 1-9 (working right adductor muscle)."

Conclusion

With regular, targeted exercise, you too can firm and tone your inner thigh muscles. Its not as easy as taking a pill, but your hard work will pay off in a few weeks by looking in the mirror. If you do better with more tangible results, be sure to measure your thigh muscles before you start the routine and you will be able to chart the inches that you have lost on a weekly basis. Enjoy, and don't forget to breathe!