Tricky trend of the season? It has to be the dominance of flared trousers, both on and off the catwalks. While they're more forgiving than skinny jeans, flares do put your bottom and thighs into the spotlight. Find out how to tone up your quads and rear end so you can swish your flares with the best of them this summer.
Get better thighs and wear flares. Photo: PA
Tone up your legs
To ensure your thighs are up to sporting a pair of upper leg-gripping trousers, get your trainers out and start walking everywhere. Nothing firms up your pins faster than putting the miles in, so try walking to work, offer to run errands and keep your legs moving to work those thigh and bum muscles.
Squat with a fitness ball
See results fast by incorporating squats into your workout. To ensure you have the proper form, place a Swiss ball behind your lower back and stand against a wall. Place your feet shoulder width apart and bend your knees, squatting around 10-12 inches from the starting position. Keeping your shoulders level and stomach pulled in, come back to your original position and repeat 20 times.
Get your butt on a bike
Jump on your pushbike or one of the stationery bikes at the gym. Instead of cycling at a steady pace for 20 minutes, make your workout count by warming up at a medium speed, then pedalling as fast as you can for two minutes, followed by one minute of recovery until you reach the 20 minute mark. This will challenge your glutes and give you a bum of steel if you do it regularly.
Remember to consult your doctor first for a health check if you are not used to exercising on a regular basis or have a chronic health condition.