Two-in-one exercise: tighten and tone

Get double the payoff by combining two exercises into one super-effective move -- tightening your buttocks and thighs while strengthening your core muscles. You’ll save time and make your workouts more challenging and fun.

-- Karen Voight

1 Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms down by your sides. Squat down, shifting your hips back as if you were sitting in a chair. Keep your body weight over your heels. Reach your arms forward to chest height. Pause for a moment, pulling your abdominals in toward your spine.

2 As you stand up, shift your weight over your left leg and raise your right knee. Lower your arms alongside your body, and pull your abdominals in toward your spine. Pause for a moment. Be sure your hips and shoulders are level, your chest is lifted and back is straight. Then lower your right foot and immediately squat down again, but this time stand up raising your left knee. Continue to alternate sides until you have done six to eight knee raises on each leg.

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Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@aol.com.