The Best Equipment for Toning Buttocks & Thighs

Cardio Equipment

You probably think of cardio equipment as burning calories and increasing your heart rate, but most cardio workouts also tone your butt and thighs. For example, running on a treadmill engages your thighs and buttocks. Equipment such as stair climbers and elliptical trainers also strengthen and tone these muscles, so you can tear up the soccer field or turn heads on the beach, whichever you prefer.

Leg Press

The leg press machine is one of the best for your thighs and buttocks, because those two muscle groups -- the glutes and quadriceps -- are worked at the same time. Unlike cardio equipment, the leg press lets you set the resistance beyond your body weight, which can keep it challenging as you progress and get stronger.

Hip Abduction Machine

The hip abduction machine is also very effective for toning thighs and buttocks because it isolates those muscles and involves a unique motion other machines don't offer and which you don't normally get in everyday life, unless you're a dancer. The seated position and abduction movement -- pushing your legs away from the center of your body -- force your hip abductors and glutes to do all the work for the exercise, providing that look you need for high-cut legs.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells offer a number of benefits -- they come in a variety of weights, allowing people at any fitness level to get a great workout, and you can use them for a variety of exercises. Many body weight exercises, including squats, lunges and step-ups, become more challenging when you add dumbbells. They are also more affordable than many other types of fitness equipment, so if you don't have time to head to the gym, you can work with a set at home. And depending how heavy your dumbbells are, you may even be able to travel with them so you can stay in shape, even when out of town.