What exercise/machines tone the upper legs?

No one wants to hear it but heavy weighted squats and lunges are still the best exercises! I personally wouldn't recommend machines since they reduce range of motion in the movement and that can put extra strain on the joints and back.

When I started heavy squats I lost 10 INCHES off my thigh in 3 months. I kid you not!! Even my trainer was blown away.

1 hour ago, faithmel said:

What exercise/machines tone the upper legs?

Seems there will always be debates Machine vs Free weights. Machines work well for isolating muscle. Free weight challenge and activate secondary muscles. I see benefits of using both.

Below is an exercise database link. (You can select the muscle groups you wan to work on. It will give you a list and a video example of how to use the machine or perform the exercise)

https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Barre classes really help me. My legs are like rocks now.

7 hours ago, faithmel said:

What exercise/machines tone the upper legs?

Go to www.fitnessblender.com and set up your requirements and your fitness level and they will recommend videos to assist you.

e.g.

16 hours ago, jenn1 said:

Seems there will always be debates Machine vs Free weights. Machines work well for isolating muscle. Free weight challenge and activate secondary muscles. I see benefits of using both.

Below is an exercise database link. (You can select the muscle groups you wan to work on. It will give you a list and a video example of how to use the machine or perform the exercise)

https://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Wow @jenn1 what a great site, girlie!!! TY!

Thanks @jenn1 I added it to my home page.

Squats are hard on my arthritic knees.

I prefer free weights. I feel like keeping myself stable while trying to hold the weights, leaves me with a better workout feel. I have attached my leg training below. I would say to start off with lighter weights and slowly increase. I started off with these weights because I was doing HIIT prior to this to gain the muscle memory. Each week try increasing the weight by 2.5 - 5 lbs.

I hope this helps and gives you some ideas.

Note the weekly increase for myself:

Week 1 Week 2

Goblet Squats: 25 lbs 30 lbs

Walking Lunges: 10 lbs (5e) 15 lbs (7.5e)

Leg Press: 90 lbs (45e Side) 100 lbs (50e Side)

Reverse Lunges: 10 lbs 15 lbs

Cable Abduction: 5 lbs 10 lbs

Remember to take your time and slowly increase the weights.

Check out bodyrock workouts in you tube, if you like them you can always signup for most up to date workouts.. its all about lunges.. you could also add spin class.. good luck ?