Video Fitness Forum  

Go Back   Video Fitness Forum > Video Fitness Reader Forum > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 09-12-21, 04:19 PM  
Gams
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
What about lower body strength?

I do a lot of squats and lunges in my workouts, but I don’t feel like I gain much strength in my legs. I’m thinking of doing more step aerobics again. I used to do a lot of step on an 8-inch step and it was pretty easy. Now I use a 4-inch step and even that much lower, it’s not that easy. I rarely do step, though, so maybe I should do more and see what kind of results I get.
Gams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-21, 04:53 PM  
fanofladyvols
 
fanofladyvols's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Modify City, State of Fierce
When you say lots of squats and lunges do you mean you also do the many variations ( like sumo squats and curtsy lunges, etc.) I think it's good to shake it up.

I'm a huge fan of Bulgarian split squats and single leg deadlifts because of the balance component with them. Tactical walking lunges are quite the challenge.

Doing step ups on the step are really great for legs, too, if you find you don't want to do step aerobics.
__________________
Don't just work hard, work smart....Pat Head Summitt

Never give up on your body!-- Miranda Esmonde-White

Word/Guiding Principle for 2024: Embrace: embrace my faith, my family, my friends, myself, the process, the progress, the hard work, the strength program I choose, the recovery methods and rest I need, my life, the good times, and the memories of good people.
fanofladyvols is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-21, 07:28 PM  
schoolgirl-01
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Parkland, FL
i've been using the pilates chair (got one locally used for $30) and my legs have gotten so strong. i've been doing some of these moves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TebX...WaveMovement85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj52...WaveMovement85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5mV...WaveMovement85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_Ns...WaveMovement85
schoolgirl-01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-21, 05:55 AM  
txhsmom
VF Supporter
 
txhsmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: TX Panhandle
Quote:
Originally Posted by schoolgirl-01 View Post

I wish I hadn't seen this. Now I want one!

Carol
txhsmom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-21, 06:24 AM  
Joni O
VF Supporter
 
Joni O's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Quote:
Originally Posted by txhsmom View Post
I wish I hadn't seen this. Now I want one!

Carol
Ditto!
Joni O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-21, 05:38 PM  
wendug
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago burb
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joni O View Post
Ditto!
Yep. Me too! After watching these clips I went to Craigslist to see if I could find a good deal on a used chair. I did find one for $100 bucks about a 3 hour drive away. I'm going to pop into to Play it Again Sports to see if they might have one, but their prices aren't great.
__________________
Wendy
wendug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-21, 07:34 PM  
schoolgirl-01
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Parkland, FL
Quote:
Originally Posted by txhsmom View Post
I wish I hadn't seen this. Now I want one!

Carol
here's a link to their streaming videos so you can see full length workouts

https://videos.pilatesprochair.com/
schoolgirl-01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-21, 08:32 PM  
Joni O
VF Supporter
 
Joni O's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Thanks for posting the links to the full videos. You've saved me a bunch of money.

- Many of the exercises I can't do because of a bad lower back (bending forward that far and laying on my stomach, for example).
- Many of the exercises don't use the chair or use it just to hold on to (I have a barre).
- I think results can be achieved using bands, etc. - and I have achieved a lot with bands and Essentrics).

I'm sure it's a great piece of equipment, just not for me.
Joni O is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-21, 05:59 AM  
txhsmom
VF Supporter
 
txhsmom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: TX Panhandle
Quote:
Originally Posted by schoolgirl-01 View Post
here's a link to their streaming videos so you can see full length workouts

https://videos.pilatesprochair.com/
Thanks for the link! That looks really tough, says the woman who is a perpetual pilates beginner.

Carol
txhsmom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-21, 08:54 PM  
prettyinpink
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Progressive overload.

Do you use dumbbells, or bodyweight?

Doing lots of repetitions with bodyweight does make you stronger, but only to a point, I think. I think of step as being more endurance and cardio than strength. Maybe it depends. But doing squats and lunges while gradually adding heavier weight, with dumbbells or kettlebells, is one way to go. You can also add a weight vest, or weighted backpack.

I agree that single-leg exercises are great, not only for balance, but because you can get more out of either bodyweight or the weights that you have at home, by putting more load on one leg at a time.

Besides the exercises mentioned, there are regular split squats, scaled-down versions of pistol squats, like one-legged chair squats or assisted pistols.

Barre workouts can be a nice change of pace for the lower body, too.
prettyinpink is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
lower body, lower body results, lower body strength, malibu pilates pro chair, pilates pro chair, strength gains

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
© 2009 Video Fitness