Best Ab/ Butt / Thigh exercises? 8 days til bikini!

Just received an invite for next Saturday at a pool. While I'm fairly happy with my body now and have been working really hard, I want to put in some extra effort over the next week to make sure I leave no room for regret come pool time.

So far I'm doing about 50 lunges and 50 squats per night... plus around 300 or so ab exercises on top of my usual cardio routine. I'm seeing some definition, but want to know if there's anything more I can be doing.

Can you all recommend anything else that might help out? I'm not too concerned about arms or calves... just midsection, butt, and thighs. :)

Replies

  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    You're not going to get a noticeable difference in 8 days...

    But the best exercises for your lower half are barbell squats and deadlifts.

    Bodyweight squats and lunges are great for endurance, but to change your body composition, not so much. You also need a healthy serving of patience and time, much more than just a week.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    There isn't anything that's going to get you immediate results.
  • pchesnut
    pchesnut Posts: 347 Member
    You're not going to get a noticeable difference in 8 days...

    But the best exercises for your lower half are barbell squats and deadlifts.

    Bodyweight squats and lunges are great for endurance, but to change your body composition, not so much. You also need a healthy serving of patience and time, much more than just a week.

    I am really trying to shape my backside. Can you tell me what deadlift is?
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    You're not going to get a noticeable difference in 8 days...

    But the best exercises for your lower half are barbell squats and deadlifts.

    Bodyweight squats and lunges are great for endurance, but to change your body composition, not so much. You also need a healthy serving of patience and time, much more than just a week.

    I am really trying to shape my backside. Can you tell me what deadlift is?

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/barbell-deadlift
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    time machine and a solid nutrition and training plan
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    not sure which gym you go to but look for one of these machines

    dOvPe1F.jpg
  • msliu7911
    msliu7911 Posts: 638 Member
    time machine and a solid nutrition and training plan
    There isn't anything that's going to get you immediate results.


    I appreciate what you guys are getting at... and I agree it's annoying when people post in here looking for immediate results when they haven't been working hard all along. (i.e. "OMG! I have a wedding in a week!!!! How can I lose 10.. 20..30 lbs?!" etc)

    But I was just looking for advice on how people tone up and feel their best when they're prepping for something. I already know that I feel my best after a good workout, especially when it involves lots of weights... and I also notice my muscles show much more definition after that. So I'll just stick to what I'm already doing .... should have known to never post something like this withouth certain people overassuming. :flowerforyou:
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    Deadlifts and squats and lunges with heavy barbell. But not in 8 days.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    In 8 days, just buy a fabulously flattering swimsuit if you don't already have one that you love, and use self-tanner to smooth things out and hide imperfections.

    If you've never used self-tanner, then maybe think about a subtle spray-tan unless you want to look like an albino zebra.

    6184147986_ff03fa38e3_z.jpg
  • msliu7911
    msliu7911 Posts: 638 Member
    Great idea about the self tanner! (I'm not about tanning beds :) )

    Tanning always seems to make things look a little more toned than what reality may be lol. And as you mention, smooths things out.
  • spickard34
    spickard34 Posts: 303 Member
    You need the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout I do just the bob Harper part its 25mins. I use a 5pd weight they focus on the whole body but alot of thigh stuff. My legs feel toned and look better after a workout or two. Mind you I am almost at my goal weight but I know what your saying you dont want a quick fix but maybe something that will make you feel more toned. If people dont notice it does not matter as long as you feel great.
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    Do what the others said about lifting heavy things. But 8 days won't be enough. Can't hurt to start now though.

    You can use a cream that contains caffeine the day of to give the appearance of firmer skin. They're generally marketed as "cellulite-reducing" creams. They don't work long term, but can provide a bandaid for a few hours.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    You could always lift heavy right before you go to the pool and run out the door and show your butt pump for a couple hours before it goes away! :)
  • msliu7911
    msliu7911 Posts: 638 Member
    [/quote]

    Being honest with you and managing your expectations isn't overassuming. No one was rude.

    One thing no one's mentioned yet is that you can try to avoid bloat to some extent by drinking plenty of water, keeping your sodium relatively low, and not eating a ton of wheat or cruciferous vegetables the day of and a couple days before. This doesn't actually lower fat or anything, but can keep water and gas retention down.
    [/quote]


    Thats one thing I was missing for sure. I think managing the retention will really help. Had to google cruciferious though (lol)... but I think I'm set now. Thanks! :)