Published: 29 March 2016
Shrewsbury fitness blog - it's leg time!
It’s Springtime in Shrewsbury and we hope that means warmer weather on the way! It’s the time of year when we start getting our legs out again after their winter hibernation and strolling about town in skirts and shorts. Like most of us, you’ll probably find they’re a bit pale and unloved, but never fear! The Shrewsbury Club have the know-how for getting your legs back into shape and looking their best.
Get those legs back to the gym
You’ve heard it before, but it never stops being true! The number one method to achieve a super pair of legs is exercise. The best moves for sculpting legs are squats, lunges, step ups, box jumps and calf raises. Focusing on these reps will ensure you’re toning and building shape in the right place.
If you aren’t sure what you need to be doing to target your legs, working out with one of our Shrewsbury personal trainers is a definite win. Our professionals will tailor the exercises to your needs and always watch over you to make sure you’re exercising safely to achieve maximum results.
If you want something more dynamic, The Shrewsbury Club’s Spin classes are high intensity, fun and great leg muscle builders as well as improving cardio. Plus, we run a range of Spin classes – so there’s no excuse not to!
Trick your legs into working out
We’ve all done it – promised ourselves we’ll do endless exercise reps every day and stopped a few days in because it’s hard and can be boring. Getting that motivation to tone your legs and follow through is key; and it’s even better if you don’t know you’re doing it!
Fast, fab and full of laughter, dance classes like Zumba and Tone 2 the Beat are an incredible way of toning legs without realising it. Or, if you’re feeling feisty, boxing and martial arts inspired classes such as Les Mills BodyCombat are great for muscle toning.
Our Yoga and Pilates classes in Shrewsbury are also amazing ways of strengthening your legs. Certain poses are specifically designed to focus on building and lengthening muscles in your legs, as well as improving their flexibility.
Relax
Again, getting great legs doesn’t have to be all hard work. One way to create leaner legs is to regularly use a foam roller. Foam rollers allow you to give yourself a deep tissue massage, which relaxes, smooths and lengthens your leg muscles. They also promote circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid as well as breaking up scar tissue and adhesions, which will make your legs look younger and more airbrushed. You can invest in one at home or use the ones that we have in the gym.
There’s always a spare moment for some pampering, too. Exfoliating legs with a loofah or exfoliating mitt lifts off dull, dead skin to reveal shiny, bright legs underneath. And we can’t say it enough – moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! A moisturiser with some shimmer will do amazing things for your legs! The tiniest bit of shine and moisture on the skin will make them look healthier, shinier and highlight their natural contours giving them extra shape. A tan (spray-on – this is the UK after all!) can also highlight and brighten. Why not speak to Imagine Spa in the club to see what our therapists can do for you?
Eat well, look well
What you put into your body is just as important as what you do to it. It’s not easy to change your diet permanently but if you want the best legs possible then we’d always recommend looking at your salt intake.
Too much sodium in your diet can cause water-retention or ‘oedema’. Sodium is in almost every food these days, so it can be difficult to avoid, but if you want to reduce bloating and cut down the hated ‘cankles’, cutting down on sodium is advisable.
As you cut down on sodium, increase your water intake! We very often forget to drink as much as we should during the day, but keeping yourself hydrated will really help reduce puffiness and lead to leaner legs.
Flaunt it
Of course, all the squats and lunges in the world can’t entirely change what you’ve been born with. We believe that beautiful legs come in all shapes and sizes and a strong, healthy body is the most important mark of beauty there is! But we also know that not everyone can be that confident 24/7 and sometimes we need a few extra tips and tricks.…
When choosing clothes, try a dress with a higher hemline or waist. Sometimes a hemline in the wrong place can make you look shorter, so try a hemline that cuts at the slimmest point of your legs. A higher waist can also really elongate your lower body.
We all know what a pair of heels can do for lift and shape – a nude pair especially will disguise where your leg ends and your foot begins! Avoid shoes with ankle straps, as they will appear to cut your leg short and draw the eye to where they end.
You can also buy spanx for your legs. They’re certainly not a replacement for a healthy and active lifestyle, but a discreet pair can really pull in and accentuate an already toned pair of pins!
If you would like to talk to one of our PTs or book a spa treatment, please call 01743 467755 or fill out the enquiry form below and we’ll be in touch.
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Published: 29 March 2016