8 Killer Workout Moves that are Perfect for Toning

Getting a toned body is a popular fitness goal for people. Some exercisers like to turn to a variety of toning exercises in order to achieve a more lean physique. As the Huffington Post points out, special equipment or a gym membership isn’t necessarily required to get a good toning workout. There are countless exercises that you can do at home and receive the same results.

Toning exercises don’t just make your body look good. According to this fitness site, toning can improve posture, stamina, and alertness. Toning also slims down the fat on your body, which will improve overall health and take the stress off of your heart, skeletal system and joints. If you are interested in having tighter legs, abs, arms and thighs, here are some efficient workout moves that should help you earn a firmer, leaner body.

1. The Jump Squat.
These type of squats are perfect for conditioning your lower body muscles. Begin by standing upright and having your feet lined beneath your shoulders, facing forward. Then bend your knees and lower yourself into a squatting position. Make sure to keep your chest upright. Squat down as low as you can and then jump upward as high as you can. Lift your arms and try to touch the ceiling as you jump. As you land, transition into the next squat.

2. The Lunge.
Move one leg forward and bend that leg’s knee. Your leg should lower near the floor behind you. Lunges can sculpt and shape the hamstrings, the thighs and the buttocks. If this exercise move ever becomes boring, there are plenty of lunge variations to try out.

3. The Leg Lift.
These lifts tend to benefit both the leg and the abdomen muscles. This leg lift is as simple as standing straight and then extending your leg upward in front of you. Lift the leg up as high as you can.

4. The Arm Circle.
While standing straight, lift your arms up sideways and bring them to the height of your shoulders. Then move your arms in a circular pattern. Repeat this motion until your muscles become too tired. If you are up to it, switch up the direction of the circular motion. “Although this exercise is very simple in nature, it does wonders for the arm and shoulder muscles,” said Fitness 19.

5. The Lateral Lunge Sidekick.
Begin by standing up straight and then moving your leg upward sideways. Position the leg so that it is at a 90 degree angle. Lunge sidekicks are meant to tone your hips, legs and abdomen muscles.

6. The Cobra.
This yoga move is meant to strengthen your abdomen as well as your lower back muscles. Start by lying face down on the floor. Tuck your hands underneath your shoulders and then use your arms to prop up the upper half of your body. Your torso should be propped upward while the lower half of your body is still on the ground. Stretch as far back as possible and hold the position.

7. The Bicep Curl.
This classic workout move primarily works your bicep muscles. While gripping onto a pair of weights, curl your arms so that your hands lift upward towards your shoulders.

8. The Plank.
Planking is an exercise move famous for strengthening your body’s core. The plank works multiple muscles, including the biceps, the triceps, the quadriceps, the hamstrings, the gluteus maximus, the deltoids, the pectorals and the abdomen. Start by lying face down on the ground. Bend your elbows so that your forearms are touching the floor. Then use your forearms and feet to lift up your entire body. Hold this position. This move can be very difficult, especially if you are a beginner, but the results of this full body workout are worth it.