Exercises for the lower body involve the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, butt and the inner and outer thigh. During exercise these muscles work together to tone and strengthen. Add these best strength exercises for the Lower Body to your workout and see great results.

These exercises are designed to be done with light dumbbells and ankle weights. If weights are too much starting out then gradually work up to using them. You can also increase or decrease the repetitions to suit your needs.

Squat
This is one of the most popular and well used exercises for the lower body. It involves almost all of the lower body muscles. There are numerous ways to do squats. Here is the most common form:

•Stand tall, spine straight, feet shoulder width apart.
•Let your arms hang loosely at your sides.
•Begin bending your knees and lowering your body. Keep your back straight as you lean forward slightly as though you were going to sit down into a chair.
•Go down as low as comfortable watching to make sure your knees do not go past the toes.
•Rise back to the start. Repeat 10 times, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Lunge
This is another popular exercise used in lower body workouts. It works most of the lower body muscles. There are many forms of lunges; this is the most common version:

•Stand tall, spine straight, feet hip width apart.
•Take a step forward with one foot, bend the knee and lower your body.
•The knee on the back leg should be almost touching the floor.
•Push yourself up and back to starting position.
•Repeat 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Table Pose Leg Lift Series
The following group of exercises each begins in a table pose position. Begin on your hands and knees; the hands are shoulder width apart and directly under shoulders; knees are hip width apart directly under hips.

Cat Pose Lift
•Extend your right leg straight out behind you, keeping the spine long, and your face towards the floor.
•Touch the floor with your right toes then bring the leg back up, straight out behind you.
•Draw your right knee in towards your chest and dip your head down to meet it, then return the leg straight out behind you.
•Repeat 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Bent Knee Press
•Extend your right leg straight out behind you, keeping the spine long, and your face towards the floor.
•Bend your knee and flex your foot.
•Press your foot up towards the ceiling and back to start, keeping the knee bent.
•Repeat 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Bent Knee Lift
•From the hands and knees position take your right leg with the knee bent and lift it out to the side. Try to bring your knee even with your hip.
•Return your knee to the floor and continue
•Repeat 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Gate Pose Leg Lift Series
The exercises in the Gate Pose Series begin in a Gate Pose. Start on your knees, arms at your sides. Take your right leg out to the right, toes facing forward and touching the floor. Lean to the left placing your left hand on the floor directly under your shoulder and your right hand on your waist.

Side Gate Leg Lift
•Lift your right leg until it is even with your hip then lower it back to the floor.
•Lift and lower 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Back Gate Leg Lift
•Lift your right leg until it is even with your hip.
•Bend your knee taking your foot back towards your butt.
Repeat 10 times on each side, then rest briefly and do another set of ten.

Do this work out 3 times a week and you will have strong, lean, toned legs in no time.

Always check with a medical professional before starting any new exercise routine. Be healthy, be happy!