When you have loose skin at any location on your body, it can be very frustrating. This is generally the side effect of excess weight loss in a short amount of time. When it comes to an area like your knees, the best thing you can do is build muscle in surrounding areas. This can help make the skin more taut. There are a variety of exercises you can perform, and you should do 10 to 12 reps and four to five sets of each exercise and work out three times a week on alternating days.
Dumbbell Squats
Dumbbell squats work the quadriceps right above the knees. Hold dumbbells at your sides with your feet shoulder-width apart. After tightening your core, lower your body down by bending your knees. When your thighs are parallel to the floor, stand up and repeat. Keep your back straight throughout and keep your eyes facing forward.
Walking Lunges
Walking lunges work your quads and hamstrings, which are located on the backs of your thighs above your knees. Start with your feet together and hold the dumbbells at your sides. After tightening your core, step forward with your right foot and lower your body toward the floor. As soon as your right thigh parallels the floor and your left knee is an inch above the floor, stand up and lunge forward with your left foot leading. Continue to lunge across the floor, alternating each lead leg.
Leg Extension
Leg extensions isolate the quadriceps and they are done with a leg extension machine. Sit on the seat of the machine with your lower shins contacting the padded lever arm. After grabbing the handles on the sides of the chair, lift the arm by bending your knees and contracting your quads. Stop just short of locking out your knees, lower the arm and repeat. When you lower the lever arm, do not let the resistance out completely.
Leg Curls on Ball
Leg curls isolate the hamstrings and they can be done with a stability ball. Lie face-up on the ground with your lower legs on top of the ball. After raising your hips up to straighten your back, roll the ball toward your body by contracting your hamstrings. Once your heels are by your butt, lift your hips slightly higher and squeeze your hamstrings slightly more. Reverse the motion by rolling the ball back out and repeat.
Reverse Calf Raises
Reverse calf raises isolate the tibialis anterior muscles, which are located under the knee and run down the front of the shins. Place your heels on an aerobic step with the balls of your feet hanging off the front edge. While holding a dumbbell in one hand and placing your other hand against a wall for balance, lower your toes toward the ground. After pausing for a second, rise up onto your heels so your toes are pointing up in the air. Hold again for a second and repeat.
