Specific Exercises that have been successful for you. Meaning you see a difference

[Anonymous]

I have been doing a leg program for a while. I increase weights every other time that I go. I do 4 sets of 8 or 9 reps. My
legs still look like stumps. Any ideas to switch things up?

[Anonymous]

Are you pretty heavy, OP?

For the most part, shapely legs are built by losing weight, then building muscle.

I'll say that running has been great for giving me shapely legs.

[Anonymous]

Plyometrics. Think boot-camp style stuff - burpees, jump squats, jump lunges, etc.

I've tried it all... running, heavy weight lifting, stairmaster, etc. But the plyo stuff is what really works for my body.

All of this of course combined with the correct diet (if you need to lose weight, it won't matter what workout you do.)

[Anonymous]

when I did pilates--with a reformer, not the mat class--I saw a difference--longer, leaner. I moved and dont have the time or $ for it anymore but it helped.

[Anonymous]

When I do bootcamp/metcon/heavy weights I build muscle very quickly.

When I leave weights out and do hot yoga 6 times a week I lean out.

When I marathon train I gain weight.

So yes, lots of difference depending on what I am doing and for what purpose (I cut and bulk maybe twice a year, do one-two long races/year, and do yoga year round).

[Anonymous]

I've been doing Peloton indoor cycling rides since July and I've noticed that my legs have slimmed down and look better. I've done this coupled with weight watchers and so far I've lost 21 lbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plyometrics. Think boot-camp style stuff - burpees, jump squats, jump lunges, etc.

I've tried it all... running, heavy weight lifting, stairmaster, etc. But the plyo stuff is what really works for my body.

All of this of course combined with the correct diet (if you need to lose weight, it won't matter what workout you do.)

I do a lot of Plyo and it's made my legs and butt bigger. Different strokes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plyometrics. Think boot-camp style stuff - burpees, jump squats, jump lunges, etc.

I've tried it all... running, heavy weight lifting, stairmaster, etc. But the plyo stuff is what really works for my body.

All of this of course combined with the correct diet (if you need to lose weight, it won't matter what workout you do.)

I do a lot of Plyo and it's made my legs and butt bigger. Different strokes!

But thats just it ~ you may have needed to build muscle for strength and stability ~ OP may have tons of muscle and need to lean down, so depending how you come into what you are doing and what your body responds to, people will have different results. Thats why its a funny question.

[Anonymous]

Squats, deadlifts.

[Anonymous]

Do you mean your legs look short and fat? Are you trying to add curves? Or lean out?

[Anonymous]

Really heavy weights for squats and deadlifts. I weigh 130lb and squat 150lb and deadlift 220lb. I always had stump like legs but now they look long and lean.

[Anonymous]

The trouble with me is my weight is good, 5’6 120, but my upper body is tiny and my lower body holds all the weight. Thanks for all the ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The trouble with me is my weight is good, 5’6 120, but my upper body is tiny and my lower body holds all the weight. Thanks for all the ideas.

I'm similar even though I'm shorter (5'4") and have long legs and a short torso. The fat on my butt/thighs is always the last to go and only with a lot of cardio and strict dieting.

Strength training can give you a more proportional look by building muscles in shoulders and back. Squats/deadlifts/lunges can help with a more lean look and if you eat at a deficit, you will not get "bigger." Generally the only way people get "bigger" when they lift weights is they eat more calories than their body needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Squats, deadlifts.

+1 also, bench press, overhead press, dumb bell rows, curls, lunges

I see the difference in my chest, shoulders and the Mrs. sees and feels the difference in my back, my abs, obliques and ass