As we get into our 40s and 50s, gravity starts to take a bit of a toll on our backside and those gym machines can sometimes feel too hard on the joints. Standing exercises are actually much better because they use your own weight to firm things up quickly while keeping you stable and safe.
Basic Squats
Keep your feet shoulder width apart and act like you are sitting back into an invisible chair while keeping your chest up high. This classic move hits all the right spots to build muscle and give you that lift you want without needing any heavy gear.
Reverse Lunges
Step one foot back and drop your back knee toward the ground while keeping your front knee steady and then push back to the start. Doing this while standing tall is way better for your balance than those leg press machines and it really targets the lower glutes.
Lateral Leg Raises
Use a chair for balance and lift your leg out. This targets your hip area to fill out your clothes. It really helps lift your bum quickly at home.
Standing Glute Kickbacks
Hold onto a counter and kick one leg straight back behind you while squeezing your butt muscle as hard as you can. It is a simple motion but it targets the top of the glutes to create that nice shelf look that we all lose as we age.
Plié Squats
Point your toes out and do a squat. Keep your back very straight as you go down. This hits your inner thighs and lifts your backside. It is an easy way to stay active.
Single Leg Deadlifts
Stand on one foot and lean forward while your other leg goes back. It is a bit shaky but it really helps tighten up your backside and the back of your legs fast.
Curtsy Lunges
Step one leg back and across behind the other one just like you are doing a fancy curtsy for someone important. This move hits the glute muscles from a different angle which is the secret to lifting sagging skin faster than standard gym equipment.
High Knee Marches
Lift your knees high while standing and swing your arms for energy. It gets your heart going fast. Your butt muscles have to work a lot just to keep you from falling over.
Wall Sits
Stand against a wall and slide down to a sitting position. Hold it steady. This move is great for endurance and firms up loose muscles because they stay under pressure the entire time.
Standing Toe Taps
Reach one foot back and tap your toe on the ground then bring it back and repeat this quickly for about thirty seconds. It is a low impact way to keep the muscles engaged and it really helps with that final lift to get everything looking firm again.
