Making your gams look more glam is easier than you think! Closer shares five tips from experts on how to achieve gorgeous, toned legs.
Get Active for Toned Legs
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Serious athletic woman stretching her legs after jogging on city street. Sport conceptAlexandr Dubynin/Getty Images
Aerobic activity like walking is one of the best exercises to tone legs, but don’t discount other forms of exercise, such as cycling, jumping rope and dancing. And doing old-fashioned squats may be the best leg exercise of all, according to AARP.
“Squats strengthen all of the muscle groups in your legs, including your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes, as well as muscles in your lower back and core.”
Self-Tan for Gorgeous Gams
“Adding a little color to your legs will instantly make them look toned and sexy,” point out the folks at Allure. “But, of course, baking in the sun is just plain wrong. The better option? Self-tanner.”
So don’t be shy about giving Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Daily Moisturizer a try. If you’re still not getting the look you really want, stopping by your local salon for an airbrush tan is always an option.
Stay Elevated to Reduce Leg Swelling
Per the Center for Vein Restoration, “After a long day standing or sitting, your legs might feel tired, heavy, or swollen. That’s because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow upward, especially if your veins or vein valves aren’t working well. Propping your legs up for 15–20 minutes a few times daily helps reduce leg swelling and improve circulation.”
It can also help to prevent developing unsightly leg veins.
Exfoliate for Glowing Gams
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Smooth skin after bath: a Caucasian woman with a towel on her head moisturizes her smooth legs after a bath in bright bathroomOlga Rolenko/Getty Images
“There is no debating the power of a good scrub; it’s the simplest way to get legs glowing again,” shares make-up artist and beauty expert Wendy Rowe. “Getting rid of dead skin cells – which can make skin look dull and scaly – is the aim of the game. [And] a little moisture goes a long way. Look for creams and lotions that aren’t sticky, which absorb quickly into the skin.”
Get Compressed to Support Blood Flow in Legs
Swelling can often make your legs look less than their very best. But according to experts at the Mayo Clinic, an easy fix for this is to slip on a pair of compression stockings.
“They gently squeeze your legs in a way that helps promote blood flow from the legs back toward the heart.”