Welcome to Holly Roser Fitness! As a personal trainer in San Mateo, I know the importance of having a strong and toned lower body. Not only does it help with daily activities and functional movement, but it can also give you the confidence boost you need to rock those summer shorts and dresses.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 lower body exercises for a strong, toned look:

Squats: The squat is a classic exercise that targets the muscles in your legs, including your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. It’s important to keep proper form while doing squats to avoid injury and get the most out of the exercise. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, then lower your body as if you’re sitting back into a chair. Make sure to keep your chest lifted and your weight in your heels as you push back up to standing.

Lunges: Lunges are another great exercise for toning the lower body. They work the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, as well as the core and lower back. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart, then take a large step forward with one foot. Lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the ground and your back knee is hovering just above the ground. Push through your front heel to return to standing, then repeat on the other side.

Deadlifts: Deadlifts may not seem like a traditional lower body exercise, but they are actually great for toning and strengthening the legs, particularly the hamstrings. Start by standing with your feet hip-width apart, then bend down and grip a barbell or dumbbells with an overhand grip. Keep your back straight as you lift the weight up, squeezing your glutes at the top of the movement. Lower the weight back down and repeat.

Step-ups: Step-ups are a great exercise for working the quadriceps and glutes. Start by standing in front of a step or bench, then place one foot on the step and push through that foot to lift your body up. Step back down with the same foot, then repeat on the other side. Make sure to keep your core engaged and your body upright as you perform the exercise.

Glute bridges: Glute bridges are a simple but effective exercise for toning and lifting the glutes. Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips off the ground, squeezing your glutes as you do so. Lower your hips back down, then repeat. You can make this exercise more challenging by adding resistance, such as a barbell or dumbbells, or by lifting one leg off the ground as you perform the exercise.

I hope these exercises help you on your journey to a strong, toned lower body. Remember to always warm up before starting any workout and to listen to your body. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your personal trainer in San Mateo.