HealthMad > Fitness

Five Quick Leg Exercises for Obese Women

Whether interested in increased health, fitness, or weight loss, obese women need to exercise.

One of the most complained about areas of a woman's body is her legs. This article will focus on five quick leg exercises for obese women. Some classic exercises, such as lunges and squats, can be injurious to obese women. These leg exercises for obese women do not utilize complicated machinery and can be modified to fit with the obese woman's level of current fitness.

Leg Exercise for Obese Women - Knees Up Marching

Marching in place does double work when it comes to exercising. First of all, there are cardio-vascular benefits to the physical movement. Second, marching in place, especially when lifting your knees to level with your waist, is a great leg exercise for any obese woman.

Leg Exercise for Obese Women - Kick Backs

This exercise is great for any woman, obese or not. While standing straight up, simply kick back with alternating legs. Try to keep the leg straight as you kick, or bend it slightly. This leg exercise helps your hips and buttocks become more firm and toned. It is also a great leg exercise for obese women as it can strengthen the hip area and reduce pain and stiffness.

Leg Exercise for Obese Women - Side Leg Lifts

These classic leg exercises are perfect for obese women. They require you to lie down on the floor on your side, propped up on one elbow. Then, slowly lift the top leg up, hold it for a second, and slowly bring it back down again. Doing this leg exercise slowly increases the muscle use and is less stressful on the joints. Repeat with the other side.

Leg Exercise for Obese Women - Hello Dolly

This leg exercise with the rather humorous name begins with the woman lying on her back. Like the leg lifts, this exercise should be done slowly and easily for maximum effect and minimum injury. From the prone position, the woman should raise both legs straight up. Then, carefully lower them away from each other to the sides. This leg exercise is great for the obese woman, as it has no impact. It works the inner thigh muscles.

Leg Exercise for Obese Women - Heel Raises

This last quick leg exercise for obese woman helps to strengthen ankles and calf muscles. You can do it in a variety of ways. The first, and easiest, method is to stand on the floor with your feet shoulder-width apart. Then, simply raise up on your toes, hold that position for five seconds, and lower back down again.

You can also do this exercise by standing on the edge of a thick books or large brick, or even on the edge of a step. Be careful that you do not extend your heels down too far, or you might injure your ankle tendons. Obese women should be careful when supporting their body weight at the edge of something.

This list of five quick and easy leg exercises for the obese women will help her develop strength in her legs. Doing them for a small time every day, or every other day, will help to prevent injury and leg strain. They can even assist in a change of lifestyle, fitness, or achieving weight loss goals.

30
Liked It
I Like It!
Related Articles
Fat Loss Advice for Men and Women  |  Lets Get Physical
More Articles by Melanie Marten
Making Time for Exercise in a Busy Day  |  Safe Exercises for Obese and Overweight People
Latest Articles in Fitness
Aerobic Exercises in Your Home  |  Weightlifting Technique: How to Perform Upright Rows
Comments (12)
#1 by purplecrazymom, Aug 12, 2007
Whoever wrote this article is obviously not obese and never has been. Several sound good, however, several need to be on the floor or on your back. If you were really understood obese people, you would know that this is very difficult if not impossible for us. I know we need to exercise which is why I was researching this topic, however, why don't you consult several obese people before you print stuff to see if it is even a good selection for us.
#2 by Melanie, Aug 21, 2007
I am the author and I used to weight 360 lbs. Not only is that obese, it's morbidly obese. These are some of the exercises I did to stay strong and lose weight. Of course, some people will not be able to do them - I understand that - but the medical field defines obese as anything over 30% of ideal weight. That means a woman who is 'supposed' to be 150 is obese at 195. I don't call that obese, but it technically is.
When I was that heavy, one thing that helped me was looking up senior citizen exercise. I did a lot of my strength buildling sitting in a chair.
#3 by Cheri Groom, Sep 17, 2007
Hey, maelanie,

Thank you for writing about this under served population. you are right on target with so much of what you say about the fitness industry's. Yet much is changing and contibues to improve as compassionate professionals find new ways to accomodate and inspire larger persons.

Just a correction that may have been overlooked in the proofing stage. It is important as it may confuse readers who are trying to reproduce these exercises.

"Prone"refers to a position in which the anterior (front) side of the body is facing downward. In your description of the "Hello Dolly" exercise, you may have meant to say "...from the supine position..." in describing the start position for this exercise. In all of the exercises it would be important to breath continuously and to maintain a strong and stabile position of the pelvis and spine. Only move through a range that you feel you can control.

I wish the best to all who are hanging in there. One step at a time - getting better every day.

Cheri Groom, ACE, AFAA
#4 by Cheri, Sep 17, 2007
Speaking of proofreading...
Sorry "Melanie" :-)
#5 by Nana, Jun 9, 2008
purplecrazymom hits the target right on the head...as it is difficult to get up from a chair much less off the floor after you exercise...and add the fact that I am in my mid-sixties...well, if I happen to still be around when you are in your mid-sixties...please let me know how easy you think it is then? Of course, if you are already in good shape, that wouldn't be a problem...but, not at 60+, overweight by about 120 pounds, arthritic joints...no, don't believe so. If you can figure out some exercises to do while sitting in a straight chair...please post them...and I will check the site from time-to-time.
#6 by Cathy, Aug 24, 2008
I'm going to try these, I agree that lying on the floor is not a possibility at my weight (250/ 54yrs old with arthritis) - I would never be able to get up. But I'm willing to try them lying on the bed for a start and take it from there.
#7 by Rae, Sep 4, 2008
Melanie is offering suggestions that will not only improve the health of those who make a conscience choice to read this but it sounds like she does take circumstances into consideration. Yet, the majority of you, who again made a conscience choice to read her suggestions, have done nothing but ridicule her and attack her. Why? All she's trying to do is help those who are seeking advice and suggestion. If it doesn't apply to you then take from it what you can and keep looking. I just don't understand why it was so important to you "purplecrazymom" to attack someone for trying to help and assume that she doesn't understand you or your situation. This world would be a MUCH better place if people would stop assuming and stop trying to hurt other people because they themselves are hurt and miserable. That's my opinion and remember it is only an opinion. Doesn't make it right and doesn't make it wrong.
Keep trying to help Melanie. I'm sure there are others who are thankful you have taken time out of your day/night to help them get to a better place in their lives.
#8 by Kaye, Sep 15, 2008
Thanks Melanie! This is truly helpful :).
#9 by 808heavyweight, Sep 19, 2008
All those complaining, have you gotten off of your lazy asses & tried?? Ever thought of improvising a bit? or is your brain just that lazy to think for itself as well? These are her own techniques & she's sharing it. WTF? Here's an easy one. Walk!!!!!
#10 by B, Oct 11, 2008
you can do floor exercises while laying on a bed to get your regimen started, then once you can get up and down off the floor easily, do them on the floor. that is how i did it. you still get results :)
#11 by ARCreated, Nov 12, 2008
I think what some of the ladies meant was this...being overweight by more than 80 lbs puts certain limits on movement - my clients that are over 250 lbs don't want to get on the floor...I was doing research to help find suggestions for exercises for these clients...I was looking for something outside the norm and although I appreciate Melanie's thoughtful attempts these exercises do not seem specifically designed for limited mobility, morbidly obese exercisers...PS I you would like the world to be a better place I suggest not calling people lazy and fat and other ugliness! JMHO
#12 by Blu, Dec 1, 2008
My goodness. Drama on the internet!
(.....I didn't wanna be left out......)
Post Your Comment:
Name:  
Copy the code into this box:  
Post comment with your Triond credentials?
Inside Healthmad

Addiction

 /

Aging

 /

Alternative

 /

Beauty

 /

Children

 /

Conditions and Diseases

 /

Disabilities

 /

Fitness

 /

Health

 /

Healthcare Industry

 /

Home Health

 /

Medicine

 /

Men's Health

 /

Mental Health

 /

Nursing

 /

Nutrition

 /

Occupational Health and Safety

 /

Senior Health

 /

Teen Health

 /

Travel Health

 /

Weight Loss

 /

Women


Popular Tags
Popular Writers
Powered by
Healthmad
About Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Services
Submit an Article
Advertise with Us
Contact

© 2007 Copyright Stanza Ltd. All Rights Reserved.