Toned Thighs?

A

atomlinson

Cathlete
I am a cardio junkie...I started doing step aerobics about 10 years ago off and on. In the past 4 years I have been doing it 5-6 times a week religiously. I consider myself to be on the intermediate to advanced level. I have lost approximately 40 pounds and went from a size 12/14 to a size 2/4. So I am convinced that I am addicted to the step. After some research and reading the forums, I recently purchased 5 of Cathes videos. I have Rhythmic Step, Power Max, Step Heat, Step Works and Step Max. Have only done 3 of the 5 and love them. I do incorporate weights for my upper body, which I have no problem defining. However, my main dilemma is my thighs and the little sagging right below my butt. My thighs are toned, but the muscles are not as defined as I would like them to be...I am getting frustrated. I don't have a gym membership (why waste the money when I can do it at home) and I do not have a weight machine. I do have 5, 8 and 10 lb dumb bells. I am looking for some advice / video suggestions that would help me achieve the look in my thighs as if I did have a personal trainer at the gym to advise me. I know some of the obvious suggestions would be squats and lunges...but I would like a video / videos to help me learn the proper way to do these.

Any help (from anyone) would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks so much.
 
Hi, I'm an Instructor, and Personal weight trainer, I used to be a cardio maniac too,

I am not Cathe, but to help with your question here's my 2 cents.

I started with Cathe's Pure Strength series, Strong legs and abs.
You need a barbell, Leaner legs is awesome too and a little shorter, I use that when I'm pressed for time.

I do Legs and glutes now too lots of variety in that one, you need dumbells and ankle weights for that one.

Stronger legs comming right at ya ! ( said by Cathe)

Hope this helps BTW you can't go wrong with any of Cathe's work-outs I have them all and love them.:) :) Bri
 
Order Pyramid Lower Body or Leaner Legs or Legs & Glutes. I personally like Pyramid Lower Body, but if you are advanced, you might really enjoy Legs & Glutes, which I think hits the glutes a little harder. Does anybody else have an opinion on this?

At any rate, if these workouts don't tighten up that little sag in your buns, nothing will. :7 They are kick-butt workouts, literally!

Also, if I may recommend another cardio workout for you: Step Blast. I love it. Imax 2 would also be a good one for the advanced cardio exerciser. The CTX cardio is great, too...faster paced and gives me a good sweat.
 
As you said, squats and lunges. Straight legged dead lifts will really hit that "flap" where your thigh joins your butt.

And of course the most important thing....DIET! Not restrictive eating, but proper diet as a lifestyle.
 
Thanks guys...GREAT advice! I looked at the video clips for your suggestions and I am leaning (no pun intended) towards the Legs & Glutes, Step Blast and IMAX2. I really liked the Pyramid Lower Body and the Pure Strength Series, but am afraid I would have to purchase a barbell in addition to purchasing the videos. So...in due time.

I originally wanted to purchase IMAX2 but thought the choreography would be too complicated. But, now that I have some of her others down, IMAX2 doesn't look so bad...so I am definitely going for that one! Step Blast looks great too. I am loving this website. The forums are fantastic and the fact that you can preview the videos is such an added bonus.

Thanks again guys...keep up the good advice...it's valuable!
 
I would advise you to get some heavier dumbells, too. Maybe one set of 15# or 20#s for leg work. You could do much of the barbell work w/ the dumbells resting on your shoulders. Legs and Glutes and Pyramids are GREAT! Also, if you buy the Legs and Glutes on DVD, you also get Kick Punch Crunch, plus all the premixes of both Legs and Glutes and KPC combined and they both work the areas you are targeting.
 
Leg presses did a fantastic job toning my legs and butt! Cannot get that pencil to "stay" no matter how hard I try!:D :7 :7

I recommend higher weights too. Walmart usually has decent prices on their workout equipment. You shouldn't have to pay more than $.50 a pound, so if you set out to buy 12 pound dumbels, the set should cost very close to $12.00 for two dumbells. Unless you want pretty, fancy ones.

For leg presses, you would need a high step or the Firms fanny lifter.

ALSO, you can do Pyramid Lower Body with dumbells. Actually, the workout runs way smoother that way. Otherwise, you spend most of your time changing your barbell.
 
atomlinson: You don't have to get a barbell to do the PLB workout. I use dumbbells and still get a great workout.

But....(again, no pun intended)...I think Legs and Glutes is your best choice to hit the glutes and give yourself a fanny lift. Also, I think you'll really like Step Blast and Imax 2. Be prepared to suck on some oxygen and break a sweat!!!
 
Well...time to pull out the old credit card! Going to Walmart at lunch to purchase some heavier dumbells! And...since all you guys have given me some great suggestions, I have one more question. I am definitely going to get Legs & Glutes, PLB (since you all have said that I can use dumbells instead of the barbell), Step Balst and IMAX2. I tend to prefer the VHS tapes, so if I order 4 I get a 5th free...any suggestions on the 5th tape? If it's cardio you recommend, I really like a good fast paced, make ya sweat, think you're gonna die workout...who am I kidding...all of Cathe's tape are like that.

I'll tell you, I wish I had discovered her earlier and not wasted a lot of boring time on tons of the other workouts I have!!!!!!!! She is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am hooked!

Oh, one more thing (not to sound like a complete idiot), I'm a fitness freak mentioned Leg Presses...Can't exactly picture them on a high step...anyone?

Thanks again for everything! You all are wonderful!:) :) :)
 
Leg presses are step-ups on the high step. A giant step up, then the same leg comes back down to the floor, repeat, repeat, repeat....

Diane
 
For your freebie tape, I'd suggest a full body endurance workout like Muscle Endurance or Power Hour. Or, since you are getting PLB, maybe get the companion PUB. Your collection looks like it's lacking upperbody weight work. Even though you do some on your own, you might like the results you get with a Cathe workout.

Shelbygirl
 
You've got lots of great cardio tapes, but if you really really really want another hardcore, make-you-drop-dead-afterward tape, you might want to try Imax. I have not done this workout, but I hear it is just killer. You might also be interested in Kick, Punch, and Crunch, or Step, Jump, & Pump.

Otherwise, I also think a nice overall strength workout like Muscle Endurance or Power Hour would fit in nicely.

And, get yourself a DVD player, girl! :7 You're going to be wanting the new hardcore workouts and they don't come on VHS, from what I hear.
 
Thanks to all of you for your input. It really has helped me! Have a WONDERFUL weekend everyone!

PS: I've got a DVD player, but have been having a lot of trouble with the volume. The volume is soooooo low that I can hardly hear a thing, so I don't use it that much. I do have a friend at work who burns all my VHS onto DVD as back up though...just in case... :7
 
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