Do you want to tone your thighs and get a sleek, sexy look?
Lateral leg raises are a great way to achieve this goal. But before you start doing them every day, it’s important to know what happens to your body when you do them.
We’ll tell you all about the benefits of lateral leg raises – from toning your thighs to improving your balance and coordination. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to do them correctly so that you can get the most out of this exercise.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about lateral leg raises.
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Is it safe to do lateral leg raises every day?
You can safely do lateral leg raises every day without any risk of muscle damage.
In fact, this exercise is so safe that it’s often used as physical therapy to help people recover from injuries. The reason lateral leg raises are so gentle on your muscles is that they don’t involve any weight-bearing movements. As a result, there is very little muscle damage, and your body can recover quickly.
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your lower body strength and flexibility, lateral leg raises are a great choice. Just be sure to listen to your body and stop if you start to feel any pain or discomfort.
Is it safe to do weighted lateral leg raises every day?
Adding weight to your lateral leg raises is a different story. Weight training tears your muscle fibres so your muscles can grow back bigger and stronger.
But this growth won’t happen if you keep tearing those fibres with daily training.
So, doing weighted lateral raises every day isn’t safe and won’t bring you the desired results either.
That brings us to the next point:
How can you do side leg raises every day safely and effectively?
If you want to do effective side leg raises daily, mixing and matching different variations is key.
Here are some lateral leg raises you can try:
Standing leg raises
Standing leg raises are best for hip, outer thigh and quadriceps development. And they are easy to do:
- Stand tall with your feet together and hands on your hips.
- Lift one leg slowly as high as you can go.
- Lower it to the initial position.
- Do 10-20 reps.
- Switch legs.
To make this exercise more challenging:
- Wear ankle weights.
- Tie a resistance band around your hips.
Lying side leg raises
This variation is easier for your balance and your knees. Besides, your glutes and hamstrings will get a more intense workout.
To do this exercise:
- Lie on your side with your legs stacked together.
- Keep your upper body still, and lift one leg as high as you can.
- Lower it to the initial position.
- Do 10-20 reps.
- Switch legs.
- To make this exercise more challenging:
- Hold a weight against your outside thigh.
- Wrap a resistance band around your ankles.
Lateral leg raise pulses
Doing pulses has a slew of benefits as well. These include:
- Improved balance and stability
- Better glute and outer thigh development
- Improved coordination
To do this exercise:
- Stand tall with your feet together and arms at your sides.
- Lift one leg out to the side as high as you can go.
- Then pulse up and down without lowering your legs completely
- Do 30-40 pulses.
- Switch legs.
Lateral raises with bent knees
Bending your knees when doing lateral raises puts more resistance on your butt and quadriceps. These muscles will tense and engage naturally when you bring your heel as close to your bum as possible.
To do this exercise:
- Stand tall with your feet together and arms at your sides.
- Bend one knee slightly, bringing your heel as close to your bum as possible.
- Lift the bent leg.
- Lower it back to the initial position
- Do 10-20 reps.
- Switch legs
What happens to your body if you do lateral leg raises every day?
Doing lateral leg raises every day will help you build lower body strength and flexibility.
Your quads, glutes, hamstrings and outer thighs will be toned and strengthened over time. And your core muscles, such as your transverse abdominis and obliques, will get a good workout too.
Leg raises also open your hip muscles, thus increasing your range of motion and hip flexibility.
Plus, doing lateral leg raises can improve your balance and coordination. You will have better body stabilisation, which is helpful in a slew of daily activities like: hiking, carrying your kids, skiing, skating, and more.
Will doing side leg raises every day make your hips bigger?
No, doing lateral leg raises every day won’t make your hips bigger. Weighted side leg raises can help you build muscle and strength in your hips and thighs, but they won’t create a significant size increase. Gaining serious hip muscle requires heavy-weight training that tears the muscle fibre so that it grows back larger than before.
Will doing side leg raises every day slim your thighs?
Yes, doing lateral leg raises every day can help you slim down your thighs because they tone the outer thigh muscles, hamstrings, and quads. You can also supplement this exercise with cardio, such as running or cycling, for an extra burn. And as always, eating a balanced diet will help you achieve optimal results.
What happens to your body if you do lateral leg raises every day for two weeks?
After around two weeks of doing lateral leg raises every day, you should start to feel your lower body getting stronger and more toned. The muscles in your hips, glutes, hamstrings and quads will be more defined, leaner and stronger.
Your balance will also improve since you are engaging the small stabiliser muscles that help with balance and coordination. Your range of motion will also increase, allowing you to move more freely and with less effort.
Finally, two weeks of doing lateral leg raises every day will improve your posture as your core muscles become stronger.
What happens to your body if you do lateral leg raises every day for a month?
After doing lateral leg raises every day for a month, you should notice tremendous improvements in your lower body strength and flexibility. Your hips, glutes, hamstrings and quads will be firmly toned and strengthened. Also, your stabiliser muscles will become stronger, which will help with posture and balance. Your range of motion should increase significantly, too, while your love handles may be vanishing before your very eyes.
Doing lateral leg raises every day for a month will give you great overall body control and stability. Additionally, you should notice improved stamina and endurance as your muscles become more accustomed to the exercise.
What is the maximum number of lateral leg raises that can be done each day?
The maximum amount of lateral leg raises that can be done each day will vary depending on your fitness level. If you are new to exercising or recovering from an injury, start with 3 sets of 10 repetitions and gradually increase the number as you get stronger. As a general rule, it is best to keep the amount of lateral leg raises at around 15-20 reps per set and no more than 100-150 reps per day if you’re not using any weight.
Pro tip: Weighted lateral leg raises should be kept to 3 sets of 10-12 reps per leg.
Rest days between strength workouts are also important to allow your muscles to recover and prevent overtraining.
Remember: Overworking yourself can lead to serious injuries that will take a long time to heal.
- You should always take time for proper warm-ups and cool-downs before and after your workouts to prevent muscle strain and fatigue.
- If you feel any pain during the exercise, stop immediately and rest.
In conclusion, lateral leg raises are an excellent exercise for strengthening your lower body and increasing your balance and coordination. Doing them every day can help slim down your thighs and tone up the muscles around them for a more slender look. But if you want better results, consider incorporating other exercises into your routine.
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