Lower Body Workouts to Get Those Leg In Shape

I am a big lower-body workout person as I get older. I found that lower-body exercise can stimulate the release of large amounts of hormones. Working your legs helps to produce hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, and human growth hormone (HGH). Many sports rely on explosive lower-body movements such as sprinting, jumping, and cutting. Although I'm not super active in sports, I still want to be ready just in case the Panthers call me up. Strengthening your lower body enhances agility, speed, and endurance to maintain a good physical physique.

And for the record, lower-body workouts can also help you trim some of the stubborn side fat. Lower body exercises often engage large muscle groups, which leads to a higher calorie burn during and after your workout. This can support fat loss and overall body composition.

If you are working a job where you are sitting all day, you definitely want to be in the market of lower body. A strong lower body supports proper alignment, especially of the pelvis and lower back, reducing the risk of injury and improving posture.

Single-leg exercises can help you to engage your core muscles, develop better balance, and prevent injury. They also help to promote rehabilitation, since working one side of the body can stimulate the same muscles on the other side of the body.

The adductors are an important muscle group that contributes to hip strength and mobility.  Their primary function is to provide lower body stability during daily activities such as walking, going upstairs, and squatting. Be particularly cautious when performing this movement, because it puts your adductors in a slightly compromised position and could lead to increased injury risk if not performed properly.

So do not skip leg day. Prevent hip, lower back, and leg workouts but work the legs at least twice a week.

Many people are stepping into the new year with new fitness goals. This includes some of your favorite celebrities too. If you're looking for gym-spiration, then you may want to look to some of your favorite Black women celebrities for some motivation.

Oprah Winfrey is one of many Black female celebrities who went through a very public weight loss journey. Prevention.com reported that she maintains her shape with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Some fans noticed that Lizzo slimmed down in a January 2 social media post while showing off her YITTY pieces from her shapewear line. One fan wrote in the comments, "We see u shedding pounds love. Even tho u were beautiful before."

Jennifer Hudson is another celebrity who dropped from a size 16 to a size 6. She credits changes in her diet and not hours in the gym for maintaining her weight loss over the years. "I don’t really have time to do much [working out], so I really just watch what I eat," she said in a 2017 interview with British talk show Lorraine. "I’m very careful and cautious of what I’m eating, so I just try to pace those meals throughout the day."

Actress and comedian, Mo’Nique lost over 80 pounds in 2013. She told People magazine that she credits her diet and exercise and the support of her family with helping her throughout the journey. Other celebrities such as Sherri Shepherd, Janet Jackson, Shonda Rhimes, Chaka Khan, Missy Elliot, and Sheryl Underwood, among others.

Celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Victoria Monet, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Kerry Washington have been sweating it out in the gym. The best part is that they’re not gatekeeping. They’re actually sharing some of their workout routines with fans and gym rats alike.

Check out some of their inspiring workouts below. They’ll be sure to inspire you to step it up in the gym this year.

Megan Thee Stallion motivated us to either hit the gym or engage in a home workout. Beyond showcasing her "Hottie Bootcamps" on Instagram Reels, featuring exercises like squats, the Stairmaster, leg lifts, and clean eating, she collaborated with Nike to unveil a series of core and lower body workouts on the Nike Training Club app. Her workout routine incorporates weight lifting, core strength exercises, cable lateral raises, and Pilates. Recently, she also joined forces with Planet Fitness for a campaign.

Gabrielle Union shares her workout journey with Instagram followers, incorporating full-body compound exercises. According to her social media posts, she dedicates 15 to 20 minutes each day to cardio, strength training, and Pilates. Union follows a diet rich in good fats and adheres to a gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-sodium approach. You can always check in on her Instagram for workout inspo.

Tracee Ellis Ross adheres to a consistent workout regimen that follows Tracy Anderson's method. Each session comprises 30 minutes of muscular structure work and an additional 30 minutes of cardio. Ross expressed her satisfaction, stating to Health magazine, "I have to say that Tracy Anderson’s workout the last five years has been really good for me." She appreciates the studio atmosphere, the transformative impact on her appearance, and the energizing music.

Halle Berry takes a non-weighted approach to fitness. Alongside her fitness trainer Peter Lee Thomas, she launched rēspin, a health and wellness platform with an affordable line of fitness products introduced during the pandemic in 2020. In 2022, Berry and Thomas announced a partnership with rēspin and the FitOn app, offering free digital workouts by celebrity trainers.

Kerry Washington opts for Pilates as her chosen workout method, frequently sharing her routines on TikTok. In an Instagram caption, she shared insights into her history with Pilates, saying, "Turning Pilates moves into hip-hop grooves with @erikabloomwellness for over a decade! She is the BEST. And good news!! You can work with her too!!! Check out her digital membership options! [flex emoji] [praise hands emoji]."