How To Do Releve Plié

Releve Plie’ is a leg strengthening exercise that comes out of the world of ballet and into the workout world. If you learn how to do Releve Plie’ you help develop strong, sculpted legs, glutes, outer and inner thighs. The plie’ originated from the ballet position that refers to keeping the back straight while also bending the knees. During the pliè squat, otherwise often referred to as a sumo squat, the toes are turned outwards in a wide stance position. This lower body workout targets the thighs (highly toning the inner thighs,) hamstrings, and the gluteus minimums (the strongest and most powerful muscles in your butt.) This workout is especially effective for toning the lower body- specifically resulting in a much tighter and lifted butt. The Releve portion of the move strengthens your calves and your balance as you rise up on your toes.

Releve Plie’ differs from a regular squat because of the placement of your feet. Because of the difference in the feet’s positions, different muscles are worked. When you move your legs in towards your body you highly target the toning of your inner thighs. Other added benefits to the Releve Plie’ are that they create a stronger sense of balance and increase flexibility, this is due to the fact that you are putting your body into a new alignment. This new alignment increases your need to master your balance in order to keep from swaying out of the pliè squat position.

This exercise is totally equipment free, making it a great exercise to do in your home whenever you are looking for a quick lower body exercise. If you would like to amp up your workout, feel free to add weights to increase the intensity of the plié squats and work the upper body for additional muscle gain.

Here are the steps to performing Releve Plie’:

1) Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder distance apart, toes turned out, and lift your heels into releve.

2) Bend at the knees lowering torso, keeping your back straight, and abs tight. Squeeze glutes and straighten legs to return to starting position.

Targets: glutes, quads, hamstrings