Leg workouts for Free – 7 Leg Exercises without weights

Several years ago when I let my gym membership lapse (for the first time since I was 16!), I felt a twinge of panic. Let’s get real for a moment, the gym had been my ENTIRE life since I was a teenager.  I needed to still get inn my workouts!  So, I have come up with some leg workouts without weights to keep my legs in shape.

As I got older, this “adulting” thing started getting in the way.  I needed to make real money and also pay real bills.  I needed to start living more frugally.

Realistically, paying $100’s of dollars a year to the gym just was not in my budget at that point any longer.  If you are in a similar boat – whether you used to have a gym membership and need to cut costs or you never have been to a gym, but still want to get in shape – never fear!

There are SO many exercises you can do FOR FREE in your own home including arm exercises without weights, ab exercises without weights and even making a cheap home gym!.

If you are like most people, your legs are probably an area you are interested in getting into shape.  So, let’s talk about leg workouts without weights that you can do from home!

First, let’s get a few things out of the way.

Just because these are leg workouts without weights does not mean that they are less effective than doing machines and heavy weights at a gym.

In fact, doing body weight leg exercises (or any body weight exercises for that matter) are really good for your body!  Body weight leg exercises will allow you to shape and tone with functional strength.

Functional strength is different than strength built by lifting heavy weights.  Functional strength is strength applicable to your daily living and moving needs.

Ok, now that we are on the same page and we all know how AWESOME these leg workouts at home (and for free) can be, let’s dive right in!

7 Leg Workouts Without Weights You Can Do For FREE At Home:

Jump Squats

These are one of the leg exercises without weights that are good for intermediate to advanced workouts.  They would not be suggested for someone just starting a leg workout program.

You will start with your feet about shoulder width apart, make sure to engage your core – abdominals.  Perform a regular squat and then in an explosive motion jump out of the squat up off the ground (you can also raise your arms above your head).

As you land, your goal is to land with control, quietly.  Then lower back into another squat.  This is one of the leg workouts at home that will really get your legs in shape quickly!

Wall Sit

This is a good leg workout without weights for beginners through advanced exercisers.  As the name suggests, you will start with your back against a wall.

Place your left heel against the wall and your right heel against your left toes.  Then place both feet about hip width apart at the distance that your right toes are at.

Engage your core and lower down as if you are sitting into a chair.  You will want to lower yourself until your thighs (upper legs) are about parallel with the ground.

You should place your hands at your side. Or crossed across your chest.  Hold in the lowered position as long as you can.

This is one of the leg workouts at home that you really can do anywhere.  All you need is a wall!

Single Leg Bridges 

Single leg bridges are one of the great leg workouts without weights to tone hamstrings and glutes.

To perform single leg bridges, you will want to start by laying flat on the ground with your knees bent and feet on the ground.  Engage your core and lift your hips and one leg off the ground.

Be sure to push through your heel and keep your back straight (you should NOT feel pressure in your lower back).  Lower and repeat.

If this is too difficult, you can keep both feet on the ground and just lift your hips off the ground.

Lunges

Lunges are one of my favorite leg exercises without weights.  There are a wide variety of different lunges.  Each variety will target different leg muscles.

Regular standing static lunges are a good beginner level leg workout to start with.

To perform standing lunges, you will step forward (keeping your core tight and upper body up straight) and lower towards the ground until your knee and hips are at 90 degree angles.

Then press through your heel back to standing position.  Be sure that you aren’t leaning forward or backward.  Also be sure that your knee isn’t jutting over your toes.

Calf Raises

A list of leg workouts without weights wouldn’t be complete without at least one exercise for your lower leg muscles – your calves.

One of the great leg exercises without weights that targets the calf muscles are calf raises.I always like to end my leg workouts with calf raises.

You can do them straight on the ground (or for extra resistance you can use a step  – or even books – to stand on).  Stand with core tight and raise onto your toes, then lower.

For more difficulty, you can stand on one leg and do them.

Step-ups

Step-ups are a wonderful leg workout without weights because they get all of your leg muscles involved.  For Step-ups you will need stairs, books, a box or some other steady raised object.

You will simply stand with core tight and place one foot on the top of your object, pressing through your heel step up onto the object and back down.  Alternate leading legs to make sure you work both sides.

Side Lunges

Side lunges are a version of a lunge, but deserve their own section because they will help hit inner and outer thighs, therefore they make a good addition to your leg workouts.

Side lunges are similar to standing lunges.  You will tighten core, step to your side with one leg.  Lower until that knee and hip are at 90 degrees and push through your heel to return to standing position.

What is your favorite one of these leg workouts without weights to do?

Looking for more than just leg workouts without weights?

For several super awesome leg and glutes workouts, check out these 30 lowerbody workouts from my friend over at Fit Girl’s Diary!

For more fitness tips

[pt_view id=”930f6bf6fg”]