Hello everyone- I am 49, and have always worked out doing something- yoga, running, riding, weights, etc. But this past year has been a tough one, and for many reasons working out has fallen by the wayside. I'm ready to gear back up, and have meanwhile acquired legs that sag from the knees up. x( Hate this- shorts are not an option. I am average weight- 128, and 5'6". My body fat is at 28% - too high, I know. Any suggestions for DVDs to address this leg issue? Any suggestions for the best 2 or 3 DVDs to start working out again? I found Cathe' via FIT TV and her workouts look right up my alley- just on at the wrong time of day! HELP- especially from other women of a certain age!
49, female, saggy legs! Help!
- Thread starter turtle
- Start date
Hello there! First of all, shorts are not an option for a lot of women in their 20's and 30's so you are definitely not alone on that one. I think that by adding leg toning oriented cardio (like kickboxing or step), weight training, and a good diet you can improve the way your legs look. You just have to work hard, make sacrifices, and be patient while waiting for results. Before I make a suggestion I need to know what kind of exercise equipment you have at home, what kind of exercise do you like, and your exercise level (beginner, intermediate?) I'm sure that if you answer those questions we'll have a couple of suggestions for you.
I know you'll get a lot of great responses to this question, but I used to struggle with less than desirable legs and I'll tell you what really helped me was 1) Legs & Glutes--which comes a DVD with Kick, Punch, and Crunch which is an AWESOME kickboxing workout that does a lot for you legs as well. There are numerous premixes on this DVD that lets you BLAST your legs. 2) You'll probably also really like Leaner Legs and Gym Style Legs, either one is killer, but Leaner Legs has a higher difficulty rating on this site. However, Gym Style Legs has these slow motion lunges which will never be easy!
3) If you don't tend to bulk in the legs when you lift heavy weights go for Slow and Heavy Legs, the heavier weights and the slower rep speed allows for control, perfect form, and real concentration on each rep.
4) Running and interval workouts (any of the IMAX workouts). Both will help to blast fat, lower your overall BF percentage and running helps to lean the legs nicely in my experience.
5) Clean eating, clean eating, clean eating
You can do all of the above and won't see the results you want, or the results you are really capable of achieving if you don't clean up the diet--which is always my sticking point;-)
Hope this helps! If you want more information about what has worked for others and different training styles just run a quick search for similar topics on this forum (this has been a popular topic-- and you'll get plenty of material to get you started):7 FYI: The search option is near the top of the screen
Mattea
3) If you don't tend to bulk in the legs when you lift heavy weights go for Slow and Heavy Legs, the heavier weights and the slower rep speed allows for control, perfect form, and real concentration on each rep.
4) Running and interval workouts (any of the IMAX workouts). Both will help to blast fat, lower your overall BF percentage and running helps to lean the legs nicely in my experience.
5) Clean eating, clean eating, clean eating
You can do all of the above and won't see the results you want, or the results you are really capable of achieving if you don't clean up the diet--which is always my sticking point;-) Hope this helps! If you want more information about what has worked for others and different training styles just run a quick search for similar topics on this forum (this has been a popular topic-- and you'll get plenty of material to get you started):7 FYI: The search option is near the top of the screen
Mattea
> Before I make a suggestion I need to know what kind
>of exercise equipment you have at home, what kind of exercise
>do you like, and your exercise level (beginner, intermediate?)
> I'm sure that if you answer those questions we'll have a
>couple of suggestions for you.
Well- here goes! I have many firm videos- they never got my legs as tight as I wished for them to be, power yoga videos, two sizes of fit balls, ankle weights, the firm step- high and low, the firm bar, dumbbells ranging from 5 to 20 lbs, and a pair of 40lb, a bowflex XTL, coremaster, and a nearby field for sprints. So- I've got plenty of equipment. One caveat- I have a chronic piriformus injury that flares whenever I run sprints. I am at an intermediate level- and have a sort of funny build- short torso, long limbs- and even though I have great endurance, and my legs are strong- I never have the long toned quads that I see on Cathe' and others- I'm "built like a quarterhorse" my husband says! I have the classic saddlebag thighs, have always had them- even at my fittest when running and as an aerobics instructor. Any ideas? I'm ready!
>of exercise equipment you have at home, what kind of exercise
>do you like, and your exercise level (beginner, intermediate?)
> I'm sure that if you answer those questions we'll have a
>couple of suggestions for you.
Well- here goes! I have many firm videos- they never got my legs as tight as I wished for them to be, power yoga videos, two sizes of fit balls, ankle weights, the firm step- high and low, the firm bar, dumbbells ranging from 5 to 20 lbs, and a pair of 40lb, a bowflex XTL, coremaster, and a nearby field for sprints. So- I've got plenty of equipment. One caveat- I have a chronic piriformus injury that flares whenever I run sprints. I am at an intermediate level- and have a sort of funny build- short torso, long limbs- and even though I have great endurance, and my legs are strong- I never have the long toned quads that I see on Cathe' and others- I'm "built like a quarterhorse" my husband says! I have the classic saddlebag thighs, have always had them- even at my fittest when running and as an aerobics instructor. Any ideas? I'm ready!
I'm not sure if the Firm low step works as the regular club step (let me know), but I have the tall 14" wooden stool from the Firm and it works with most of Cathe's DVDs that use the high step (except for those that use it at a lower than 14" level). Another thing you have to consider is how good are you learning complex choreography, or if you even like complex choreography, and due to your injury you should know when and how to modify high impact moves.
If you want to start right away without worrying about learning choreography you should get the KPC + Legs & Glutes DVD as Mattea suggested. You can modify the higher impact moves on KPC by doing them without jumping or any impact. My favorite new Cathe DVD is Low Max (low impact but super intense!), but it uses a regular club step and I don't know if your step would work with that one. You can also get Kickmax avoid the middle section (with the high impact blasts) and do only the first and last section. It has two low impact premixes and the leg blast section is 18 mins long and you can do it throughout the week with other workouts to tone your legs. I haven't tried Cathe's Basic Step + Body Fusion, but a lot of people seem to like it. Since is Beg/Int it might be a good way to start with Cathe (again you need a step for this one). The other ones (KPC + Legs and Glutes, Kickmax and Low Max) are advanced but with Legs & Glutes you can use lighter weights and with the others you can do some sections of the workout instead of the whole thing and you can modify some moves. The great thing is that the workouts can be adjusted to your level and when you're advanced you can still use them.
If you want to start right away without worrying about learning choreography you should get the KPC + Legs & Glutes DVD as Mattea suggested. You can modify the higher impact moves on KPC by doing them without jumping or any impact. My favorite new Cathe DVD is Low Max (low impact but super intense!), but it uses a regular club step and I don't know if your step would work with that one. You can also get Kickmax avoid the middle section (with the high impact blasts) and do only the first and last section. It has two low impact premixes and the leg blast section is 18 mins long and you can do it throughout the week with other workouts to tone your legs. I haven't tried Cathe's Basic Step + Body Fusion, but a lot of people seem to like it. Since is Beg/Int it might be a good way to start with Cathe (again you need a step for this one). The other ones (KPC + Legs and Glutes, Kickmax and Low Max) are advanced but with Legs & Glutes you can use lighter weights and with the others you can do some sections of the workout instead of the whole thing and you can modify some moves. The great thing is that the workouts can be adjusted to your level and when you're advanced you can still use them.
Thanks so much for your reply- I am a pretty clean eater now, and drink lots of water- my biggest problem is low energy after long days. Thanks also for the search info- I found lots of info and fellow saggers! What a great site.... I'm inspired. Gotta go put on some gym clothes and get moving!
>I'm not sure if the Firm low step works as the regular club
>step (let me know)
I don't know what a club step is, but the Firm step I have is the one that is in two parts that stack- one is 5", stacks on a 9" to make a 14". I used to have the wooden steps from the Firm- they were great.
>step (let me know)
I don't know what a club step is, but the Firm step I have is the one that is in two parts that stack- one is 5", stacks on a 9" to make a 14". I used to have the wooden steps from the Firm- they were great.
I know which one that is. You can use that in substitution of the high step, but not for step aerobics workouts. I'll give you a link so you can see the so called regular "club step" http://www.thestep.com/html/stepco.htm
I don't own that one but I own the Reebok one that I've had since it came out in the 90s and it works fine. Even if you don't own a step it doesn't matter because you can get Cathe's kickboxing workouts for cardio, some weight training workouts and start with that. In fact, I do mostly kickboxing as cardio and I do one step workout a week. My lower body is also my problem area.
I don't own that one but I own the Reebok one that I've had since it came out in the 90s and it works fine. Even if you don't own a step it doesn't matter because you can get Cathe's kickboxing workouts for cardio, some weight training workouts and start with that. In fact, I do mostly kickboxing as cardio and I do one step workout a week. My lower body is also my problem area.
rjroubi
Cathlete
I'm 45 years old and have seen great results with Cathe's Gym Style Legs, Body Max and Kick, Punch and Crunch not to mention those difficult Interval workouts. If you're moving them they don't even have a chance to sag (wink). Good luck and you can do it!
Sculpt 7,
Robin
http://www.PictureTrail.com/rjroubi
Sculpt 7,
Robin
http://www.PictureTrail.com/rjroubi
rjroubi
Cathlete
RE: Hey Robin?
Hi Rhonda,
I do abs maybe two or tops three times a week....I do Mat and Reformer Pilates so I get a lot of additional core work without specifically working on my abs. I sometimes use weights or the medicine ball when I do ab work (or springs on the reformer), but the majority of the time I don't (it tends to thicken my waist). I also love to vary the workout (Cathe's Ab Hits is great for mixing it up) and never do the same routine every week (sometimes I do Coremax). Hanging leg raises are also great. And in answer to your last question...no, I'm not a clean eater. I usually eat whatever I feel like. I don't believe in diets and would never go on one, but I think most of the time I end up making good food choices because I'm not on one (if that makes any sense..LOL).
Hope I answered your question,
Robin
http://www.PictureTrail.com/rjroubi
Hi Rhonda,
I do abs maybe two or tops three times a week....I do Mat and Reformer Pilates so I get a lot of additional core work without specifically working on my abs. I sometimes use weights or the medicine ball when I do ab work (or springs on the reformer), but the majority of the time I don't (it tends to thicken my waist). I also love to vary the workout (Cathe's Ab Hits is great for mixing it up) and never do the same routine every week (sometimes I do Coremax). Hanging leg raises are also great. And in answer to your last question...no, I'm not a clean eater. I usually eat whatever I feel like. I don't believe in diets and would never go on one, but I think most of the time I end up making good food choices because I'm not on one (if that makes any sense..LOL).
Hope I answered your question,
Robin
http://www.PictureTrail.com/rjroubi
RE: Hey Robin?
Oh thanks Robin for answering so fast, I am so glad to see you say your not a clean eater, only because I find it hard on the weekends to eat clean... I just try to watch my portions...
Anyway, I think I will get a few more pilates dvds, not sure what a reformer is, I know what a rebounder is...
And yes your very helpful..... hope ya don't mind the questions, you have great abs..... at least I know its reachable for me, you and diane sue both :7
thanks Rhonda:7
Oh thanks Robin for answering so fast, I am so glad to see you say your not a clean eater, only because I find it hard on the weekends to eat clean... I just try to watch my portions...
Anyway, I think I will get a few more pilates dvds, not sure what a reformer is, I know what a rebounder is...
And yes your very helpful..... hope ya don't mind the questions, you have great abs..... at least I know its reachable for me, you and diane sue both :7
thanks Rhonda:7
bubbles100
Cathlete
Robin, you look amazing!
Margaret
Margaret
WD
Cathlete
HI
I would suggest lots or cardio and put in some heavy weight training for the legs. All out effort is important. 5-6 days cardio and lower at least two days a week.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us
I would suggest lots or cardio and put in some heavy weight training for the legs. All out effort is important. 5-6 days cardio and lower at least two days a week.
Diane Sue
http://wd.1ww.us