9 Tips to Reach Your Fitness Goals This Year

Trim Your Thighs

"You need to work the entire thigh -- not just the quads in front and the hamstrings in back, but also the inner and outer thighs," says Michele S. Olson, PhD, a professor of exercise science at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. The three-part kickbox lunge hits all of these muscles while also challenging your balance: A. Stand in a deep lunge position with right leg forward, knee bent 90 degrees, left leg back; keep elbows bent, fists at chin level. B. As you rise from the lunge, bring your left knee toward your chest, then kick straight forward at waist height or higher, pointing toes. C. Keeping left leg lifted, shift to the right and kick out to left side with inner thigh parallel to floor, foot flexed. Lower leg back to floor and return to start. Repeat for 15 reps. Switch legs and repeat. Do 2 sets per leg.